Mind Over Matter

Intercultural communication competence (ICC) is the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people from different cultural backgrounds. It involves understanding the values, beliefs, norms and practices of other cultures and adapting one’s communication style accordingly. Intercultural communication competence is essential for anyone who interacts with people from diverse backgrounds, whether in personal, professional or academic settings.

Principles for Developing ICC

I will share some principles on how to develop intercultural communication competence and avoid common pitfalls that can lead to misunderstanding, conflict or offence. Following are some of the principles for developing intercultural communication competence.

Be aware of your cultural assumptions and biases. We all tend to view the world through our cultural lens, which can influence how we perceive, interpret and respond to others. To communicate effectively across cultures, we need to be aware of our cultural preferences and expectations and how they might differ from those of others. We also need to be open-minded and respectful of other perspectives, even if they challenge our own. For example, some cultures value directness and assertiveness, while others value indirectness and harmony. If we are not aware of these differences, we might come across as rude or aggressive or as weak or passive, depending on the culture of our interlocutors.

Learn about the culture of your interlocutors. Before engaging in intercultural communication, it is helpful to do some research on the culture of the people you will be interacting with. You can learn about their history, geography, religion, politics, values, customs, etiquette, language and nonverbal communication. This will help you understand their context, motivations, goals, and needs and avoid making assumptions or stereotypes based on your own culture. For example, some cultures have a high-context communication style where meaning is derived from the situation, the relationship and the nonverbal cues. In contrast, others have a low-context communication style where meaning is derived from the words themselves. If we are not aware of these differences, we might miss important information or convey unintended messages.

Use appropriate verbal and nonverbal communication. Different cultures have different norms and rules for verbal and nonverbal communication, such as tone of voice, volume, speed, silence, eye contact, gestures, facial expressions and physical distance. To communicate effectively across cultures, you need to use language that is clear, concise and respectful and avoid slang, jargon or idioms that might not be understood or appreciated by others. You also need to pay attention to the nonverbal cues that accompany your words and make sure they are consistent with your intended message and the expectations of your interlocutors. For example, some cultures use a lot of eye contact to show interest and respect, while others use less eye contact to show deference and humility. If we are not aware of these differences, we might appear disrespectful, dishonest, intrusive, or arrogant.

Seek feedback and clarification. Intercultural communication can be challenging because of the potential for misunderstanding or misinterpretation due to cultural differences. To avoid or resolve these issues, you need to seek feedback and clarification from your interlocutors regularly. You can do this by asking open-ended questions, paraphrasing what you heard or understood, summarizing the main points or agreements, checking for understanding or agreement, and expressing appreciation or gratitude for their input or feedback. For example, some cultures use a lot of positive feedback to encourage and motivate others, while others use more negative feedback to point out areas for improvement. If we are not aware of these differences, we might feel discouraged, overconfident, or complacent.

Be flexible and adaptable. Intercultural communication is a dynamic and complex process that requires constant adjustment and adaptation. It would help if you were flexible and adaptable to the changing situations and needs of your interlocutors and willing to modify your communication style or behaviour accordingly. You also need to be prepared for surprises or challenges that might arise during intercultural communication and handle them with patience, humour and grace. For example, some cultures have a high level of uncertainty avoidance, where they prefer clear rules and structured plans. In contrast, others have a low level of uncertainty avoidance and prefer flexibility and spontaneity. If we are not aware of these differences, we might feel anxious, frustrated, unprepared or irresponsible.

Common Pitfalls in Intercultural Communication

Intercultural communication competence is essential for anyone who wants to work or interact in a globalized and diverse world. Following are some of the common intercultural communication mistakes and how to avoid them.

Making assumptions or stereotypes. One of the most common intercultural communication mistakes is making assumptions or stereotypes about other cultures based on limited or inaccurate information. This can lead to misunderstandings, misinterpretations, or offenses. To avoid this mistake, you should learn about different cultures from reliable and diverse sources and verify your assumptions or stereotypes with the other person before acting on them.

Being ethnocentric or judgmental. Another common intercultural communication mistake is to be ethnocentric or judgmental towards other cultures based on your cultural values, beliefs, norms, customs, or practices. This can lead to biases, prejudices, or discrimination. To avoid this mistake, you should be aware of your own culture and how it influences your communication style, behaviour, and attitude, and respect the differences and similarities of other cultures without imposing your views or judgments on them.

Being closed-minded or disrespectful. A third common intercultural communication mistake is to be closed-minded or disrespectful towards other cultures by not listening actively or empathetically to the other person, not asking questions to clarify or learn more, not expressing curiosity or interest in their culture, or not acknowledging or appreciating their differences and similarities. This can lead to a lack of rapport and trust with the other person or conflict or resentment. To avoid this mistake, you should be open-minded and respectful towards different cultures by listening actively and empathetically to the other person, asking questions to clarify or learn more, expressing curiosity or interest in their culture, and acknowledging and appreciating their differences and similarities.

By following these tips, you can develop your intercultural communication competence and enhance your ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people from different cultural backgrounds. Intercultural communication competence is not only a valuable skill for personal growth and development but also a key factor for success in today’s globalized world.