Cultural variables impact communication
As a manager, you are preparing for a meeting with team members from the United States and another country of your choice.
Step 1: Pick a country (feel free to use the country you previously selected).
Step 2: Compare your country with the United States and address the following points:
• How do differences and similarities in cultural variables impact communication in a face-to-face environment?
• How do individual biases influence business communication? (for example, xenophobia or ethnocentrisms)
• How do verbal and nonverbal communication differences challenge effective communication during negotiations? (for example, implied messaging or formality).
Sample Solution
Cultural differences have many effects on communication. People with different cultural backgrounds communicate using different styles. Their language, words, gestures, and phrases may differ even in their application. Culture also shape people`s attitudes in times of conflict. Face culture in China is mainly collectivism, while face in America pays more attention to individualism. It is very important to master culture and cross-cultural communication methods, and incorrect communication methods are likely to cause conflicts. Individual biases can influence business communication. It is easy to see how behavioral biases could impact the process of effective business communication. For example, executives decision makers are more prone to neglecting uncertainty, falling victim to the idea that they exercise greater control over a situation than they really do (controllability bias).
