Summary

Bridging cultural gaps is a crucial issue that should be explored and accomplished to build an inclusive work environment. Someone looking to address cultural gaps and identify common ground must embrace and comprehend cultural competence and culture-oriented communication as instrumental strategies to make a difference. 

Rushford’s MBA in Human Resource Management with Global Immersion Week in Europe is a program that helps specialists become competent in various business settings and work with people from different cultural backgrounds. Join hands with us to learn industry-specific skills and advance to a higher trajectory in your profession!

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Everyone has a unique identity, and this makes humanity a beautiful thing. There is so much to learn from the differences between us, lessons about others, and variety. Unfortunately, society doesn’t always appreciate these differences. Many conflicts and wars have arisen due to this cultural diversity and probably a lack of understanding and recognition.

 Instead, people put up walls, obstacles, rules, and laws to keep others with different opinions away. Some people don’t even want to acknowledge these differences because it does not fit with their way of life and ideology.

You might find differences of opinion, tradition, and religion everywhere, but interpreting these differences is up to you: You can either build a bridge or a barrier. As globalization develops and our world becomes more interconnected, becoming cross-culturally fluent is vital. Cross-culturalism is a concept that recognizes the differences among all those people who are, somehow, different.

Ernst & Young, one of the Big Four accounting firms, believes that “Diverse perspectives, combined with an inclusive culture and equitable opportunities, drive better decision-making, stimulate innovation, increase organizational agility and strengthen resilience to disruption.”

Key Strategies to Identify Common Ground and Bridging Cultural Gaps

We must recognize and honor cultural differences whenever we travel, engage in international business, work with diverse teams, or even stroll down the street to our local coffee shop. Thus, it is necessary to manage cross-cultural encounters, which will help build strong relationships, widen your viewpoints, and help avoid misconceptions. We can consider these seven key strategies for bridging cultural gaps and identifying common ground:

1. Be Curious

Curiosity is highly empowering. If we keep our curiosity intact, we can build bridges between our differences. Yes, it could well be diametrically opposed to how we do things ourselves; however, two scenarios leap out, which I think are especially interesting. But you might question your perspective and arrive at a new or even superior one. 

If not, you will probably lean closer to your existing opinion or practice – why else would it work for you? 

Their commonality is that both are a win, but one 

must be curious to go. Airbnb urges its employees to live their dreams, and this idea is deeply ingrained in its culture. Its employees travel via Airbnb, which promotes a feeling of adventure and community. They are also urged to act as “hosts”—outgoing, considerate, and constantly fostering relationships.

2. Cultivate Cultural Awareness 

We need to develop cultural awareness to navigate these cultural differences. We can identify and learn the diverse customs, traditions, and social norms of different cultures. We can also read books, watch documentaries, and engage in conversations with people from various cultural backgrounds. At workplaces, it will include maintaining the cultural expectations of others, at least to a bare minimum level. For example, while American culture may grant informal clothing or gestures to an extent, business culture in Japan might require formal dress codes. 

By acknowledging these diverse behaviors, we can adjust politely and avoid unintentionally offending people. We have several examples from organizations also to substantiate this point.

Influenced by Chinese culture, Alibaba has always strongly followed the customs of Western countries in its global expansion. They thoroughly research each market they enter to understand how consumers behave, what cultural norms exist, and where business practices can be adapted. 

By doing so, Alibaba can ensure that its platforms and services remain true to being local, boosting user retention and market responsiveness.

 It also prioritized localization efforts by customizing language options, payment methods, and user interfaces to meet local preferences. It helped build strong relationships in the market, including governments and businesses, to foster trust and facilitate smooth integration. Through cultural awareness and respect for diversity, Alibaba continues to grow internationally while consciously evolving locally.

3. Embrace Open-Mindedness 

Navigating cross-cultural encounters requires an open mindset. Expect to see a diversity of values, beliefs, and behaviors in others. Take a respectful approach of appreciation and interest; don’t extenuate them. Acknowledging these different viewpoints promotes personal development and enhances our comprehension of the world.

 It can be challenging to do, especially when faced with values and beliefs directly opposing yours. Be patient with those around you and yourself and respectful in your interactions while exchanging ideas with the incredibly diverse human race. 

Accept that this might be the best opportunity to offer a different perspective. Use it as a growth opportunity and understand that your subjective truth can coincide with other objective truths. 

4. Practice Effective and Respectful Communication

Efficient cross-cultural communication includes adjusting one’s own communication styles to meet cultural norms. Moreover, each person has their own communication style, which might even differ from others in the same country or region.

The time it takes to have a conversation is even indicative of culture. New Yorkers, for instance, are usually prompt and straightforward in communication. At times, they might interrupt before the other gets a chance. It may be socially acceptable in New York. In California, they wait longer to talk and don’t generally presume it’s their turn until the conversation has ended on its own. This type of insight into how these various cultures communicate is invaluable when operating cross-culturally with such groups.

Also, take heed of body language as it widely differs depending on these countries. Actively listen & ask clarifying questions to help fill gaps and avoid miscommunications. If you are in a country other than yours or dealing with people using another language, learning some basic words/ phrases in the local language is better. It is a matter of courtesy. Most of the people appreciate this type of effort. 

5. Foster Trust and Build Relationships 

Cultivating cross-cultural relationships takes both time and effort. Make an effort to get a sense of what people in these cultures value and how that differs from your priorities. Take time to have honest conversations that create authentic relationships. Seek out opportunities to learn from others’ experiences and perspectives. Look for common ground — even in our disagreement, we can agree on many great things. This is likely because you have some kind of tradition as well or maybe your traditions are different but they all revolve around the same principle which seems to be family. 

Understanding others’ cultures leads to trust and mutual respect, which stimulates successful cross-cultural collaboration.

 Consider Google’s initiatives towards diversity and inclusion. Their efforts to boost representation across the board, primarily through Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities and women in leadership tech roles, highlight the value of diversity and inclusion. If you are a manager or in a senior position, it will be imperative for you to enhance the representation of different groups in your team. Think about it!

6. Adaptability and Flexibility 

Plan on being flexible with your plans, expectations, and your actions to fit in culturally. Come to terms with the fact that there is no “right” or “wrong” way of doing anything. The sooner you can accept and adapt to new ways of living or working, the easier it will be to navigate uncharted territory. It could be difficult, so give yourself grace as you adjust and become more flexible. Those skills require much more energy than just life at home. Be proud of yourself, and be the first person to give you grace with kindness as we all learn how to adapt. Before adjusting between time and guts, one needed this courage. Let’s reward this with kindness.

7. Grow Through Cultural Experiences

No matter how well-intended, cultural missteps are bound to happen. If you say something that offends or acknowledges an error, apologize genuinely and honestly. Try to learn from those experiences and remember the context in which something went off-key. Use these situations as growth opportunities; work on bettering yourself. We’re bound to make mistakes, so give yourself grace and believe in yourself that you can do better next time. Be sure to extend this same grace to others who are attempting intercultural exchange.

Black Lives Matter was openly endorsed by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella in a statement, where he noted the company is “committed to taking action to help address racial injustice and inequality, and unequivocally believes that Black lives matter.” They put out a five-year plan that provides for the company’s approach to racial injustice and inequity in America against the Black and African American community, as well as tactical moves the company intends to make with underrepresented groups, including Hispanic /Latinx communities. What makes Microsoft announcing a response to Racial Inequality unique is that instead of just playing on the sides, it directly goes into addressing, ready with ideas and an open mind.

The Bottom Line…

Bridging cultural gaps goes beyond admitting to differences; it means actively searching for similarities. 

Encouraging curiosity, adjusting communication styles, and focusing on mutual interests and goals are ways that professionals help creating a more inclusive work culture. A culture of respect for differences and a dedication to continuous growth reinforce this foundation, making collaboration that inspires innovation.

Rather than as a source of difficulty, let us view our cultural diversity as an opportunity that helps to ignite creativity and success across our businesses. Thus, we can consider these differences and use them, tapping into multiple angles to create unique results that further drive innovation in the workplace, resulting in a cutting-edge environment.

The MBA in Human Resource Management program offered by Rushford offers attitudes, skills, and knowledge, enabling and empowering you to work with diverse forces in today’s world. Moreover, for its on-campus programs, Rushford offers an integrated Global Immersion Week in Europe. The one-week tour will introduce learners to local economies, industries, start-up culture, and cultural and historical contexts. The immersive experience will foster intercultural sensitization, communication, and adaptability skills.