Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Workplace communication: avoiding communication errors in multicultural workplaces

A multicultural workplace will continue to exist. For many workplaces, miscommunication due to cultural differences is very common and, as you can imagine, can lead to hurtful and uncomfortable employee relationships. That's why workplace leaders need to train their employees to use effective communication in a multicultural workplace.

Clearly, better workplace communication can provide more employee job satisfaction, but it is more important when culture is mixed.

Avoid cultural exchange mistakes

In order to avoid cultural exchange mistakes, it is important that your employees understand the different cultures that your workplace represents.

Anna is the leader of her team. She provided assessments and feedback to colleagues at the meeting. When she arrived at Japanese colleague Jin and made some criticisms and useful suggestions, Jin looked upset. "what did I do?" Anna wants to know. "What did I say wrong?"

Anna did not realize that she was seriously violating etiquette in Japan and directly criticized someone in public. Although Anna is a team colleague, this is even the case when the relationship is in the upper and lower levels.


Anna decided to approach the Golden Conference and ask her if she had done something wrong or offended her. Jin is grateful and explains that in her culture, criticizing someone in the public is unacceptable.

Anna apologized to her and added that she wanted to know more about her culture so she could communicate more effectively. They decided to have their supervisors plan a training course where employees can share information about their culture.

How to help Multiculturalism Employees get along better

Provide your employees with the following opportunities:


  • Talk about each other's culture. Ask each other about help with communication skills.

  • Share information about each other's cultural celebrations.

  • Bring ethnic food and share recipes

The other two cultural differences affect workplace communication.


  • A culture that considers an ambitious and diligent culture to be regarded as selfish by some cultures

  • While a culture values ​​self-confidence and direct methods, some cultures consider it arrogant.

Everyone is an individual

It is best to remind employees that even individuals in a particular culture are unique in terms of gender, age, occupation, education, life experience, etc. This is why it is important for all employees who work together to understand each other.

If you and your employees understand each other's customs and understand each other, this will open up a new world of communication for all of you and significantly improve teamwork and employee satisfaction.




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