Bridging the Gap: Effective Cross-Cultural Communication Strategies by Lewis

Bridging the Gap: Effective Cross-Cultural Communication Strategies by Lewis

Cross-cultural communication refers to the exchange of information between individuals who come from different cultural backgrounds. Effective communication in such diverse settings is often complex, but it is essential for achieving shared goals and understanding.

Lewis, an expert in cross-cultural communication, has developed strategies that can be applied in diverse settings to bridge the gap between individuals from different cultures. In this article, we will explore these strategies and how they can be applied to achieve successful cross-cultural communication.

Understanding Cultural Differences

The foundation of effective cross-cultural communication is understanding and respecting cultural differences. Each culture has its unique values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that shape how its members perceive and communicate with each other.

Therefore, when engaging in cross-cultural communication, it’s crucial to recognize and respect these differences. An individual from a different culture might have a different communication style, use contrasting body language, or have different expressions of emotions.

The Cultural Iceberg

Lewis’ cultural iceberg model helps understand the visible and invisible elements of a culture. The visible part includes what people see and experience directly, such as food, dress, music, and language. The Invisible part includes the underlying values, beliefs, attitudes, and assumptions that shape behavior.

Therefore, it’s essential to recognize that what you see on top doesn’t necessarily represent the entire culture. Understanding the whole culture and its influences is crucial for effective cross-cultural communication.

Building Awareness

Building awareness holds the key to effective cross-cultural communication. It involves understanding the nature and extent of cultural differences, effectively managing the cultural differences, and growing curiosity and openness to diverse perspectives.

To build awareness, it’s essential to develop cultural intelligence(CQ) – a person’s capability to function effectively in culturally diverse work environments. Building CQ will enable an individual to be culturally responsive, strategically aware, and adaptable to diverse cultural settings.

Building Trust

A vital component for effective cross-cultural communication is building trust. Trust building happens when individuals in diverse cultural settings share their experiences and commonalities, which humanizes the interaction.

To build trust, it’s important to avoid stereotyping and presuming people’s behavior or intentions. Instead, individuals should approach their conversations with curiosity and openness to understanding different perspectives.

Conclusion

Building effective cross-cultural communication across diverse settings can be complex, but it is fundamental to achieving shared goals. Lewis’ approach to cross-cultural communication emphasizes understanding and respecting cultural differences, building awareness, and fostering trust.

By developing cultural intelligence and approaching conversations with openness and curiosity, individuals can start to bridge the gap between cultures and achieve successful cross-cultural communication.