B. High-context cultures tend to be logical, analytical and action oriented. Communicators in high-context cultures assume listeners know very little and must be told practically everything.

The highest ranked countries for individualism ratio are:

• United States.
• Australia.
• United Kingdom.
• Netherlands.
• New Zealand.

High-context cultures will use communication that focuses on underlying context, meaning, and tone in the message, and not just the words themselves. Countries that fall into this categorization are Japan, China, France, Spain, Brazil, and more.

Here are our top ten tips for effective cross-cultural communication:

1. Maintain etiquette. Many cultures have specific etiquette around the way they communicate.
2. Avoid slang.
3. Speak slowly.
4. Keep it simple.
5. Practice active listening.
6. Take turns to talk.
7. Write things down.
8. Avoid closed questions.

The strategies below can be effective when communicating across cultures. biases, assumptions, attitudes, likes and dislikes. Learn about different cultures and values: Both within and outside the US. Use shared language: Avoid slang and jargon.

11 Fundamental Tips for Communicating Across Cultures

• Do your homework.
• Don’t make cultural assumptions.
• Speak clearly and in a pace that is steady and not rushed.
• Separate questions to avoid unnecessary confusion.
• Avoid the use of slang.
• Ask open-ended questions.
• Listen actively and check for understanding often.

It is easy to overlook the communication challenges that we often take for granted….4 Types of Communication Challenges in Multicultural…

• Direct versus indirect communication.
• Trouble with accents and fluency.
• Different attitudes toward hierarchy and authority.
• Conflicting norms for decision-making.

Here are five tips for improving communication in a multilingual workplace:

1. Hire multilingual staffers.
2. Pursue educational opportunities.
3. Point out the value of becoming bilingual.
4. Try to make non-native speakers of English feel included.
5. Don’t assume any employee won’t need to communicate.

Let’s have a look at the top ten internal communication challenges and see how they can be avoided.

• A Lack of Feedback.
• Email Overload
• Overall Lack of Communication.
• Device Chaos.
• Onboarding New Employees.
• Language Barriers.
• Balancing Internal and External News.
• An Overload of Irrelevance.

Strategies for Effective Cross-Cultural Communication within the Workplace

• Keep an open mind.
• Have at least some knowledge of people’s cultural backgrounds.
• Practice active listening.
• Watch your nonverbal communication.
• Maintain a personal touch.

5 Ways to Overcome Cultural Barriers at Work

1. Learn a few key phrases. Because clear communication is essential for effective functioning, it is necessary that each of your employees understand what your clients and customers need.
2. Learn your client’s culture.
3. Promote appreciation of cultural differences.
4. Be open to trying new things.
5. Be accommodating.

To overcome language barriers in the workplace, here are a few things you can do:

1. Use plain language.
2. Find a reliable translation service.
3. Enlist interpreters.
4. Provide classes for your employees.
5. Use visual methods of communication.
6. Use repetition.
7. Be respectful.

Cultural barriers are challenges to cross-cultural communication within an organization. When people from different cultures who might speak different languages, have different cultural beliefs or use different gestures and symbols to communicate, their cultural differences might become barriers to workplace success.

Multicultural working environments allow individuals to get under the skin of cultures that are incongruous to their own. As such, people will acquire a level of knowledge that will not only help them perform their jobs better but provide the tools to expand their careers, or the business, internationally.