Handling Cultural Misinterpretations in Professional Settings

Imagine navigating a conversation where words are understood, but the deeper meanings—shaped by culture and emotion—are entirely missed; this is where the power of cultural competence and emotional intelligence becomes not just important, but essential. In my three decades in the corporate world, working in diverse senior management positions all over the world, I’ve learned that cultural context and perspectives are not just important—they’re indispensable in relationship management. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how emotional intelligence, when combined with cultural awareness, becomes a powerful tool in navigating complex interpersonal dynamics. It’s not just about managing your own emotions; it’s about understanding the cultural lenses through which others see the world. Think of it this way: when you’re aware of how cultural differences influence communication, you’re better equipped to interpret and respond to others’ emotions accurately. For instance, what one culture views as assertiveness, another might see as aggression. Without this cultural insight, you risk misunderstandings that could damage relationships. However, with cultural awareness, you can navigate these differences with empathy and tact, building stronger, more trusting relationships. My advice, drawn from years of experience, is to consciously integrate cultural understanding into your emotional intelligence practice. This means taking the time to learn about the backgrounds of those you work with, being open to different perspectives, and reflecting on how your own cultural experiences shape your interactions. By doing so, you not only enhance your emotional intelligence but also create an environment where everyone feels valued and understood. Remember this: Cultural awareness is the bridge that turns emotional intelligence into relational intelligence. It’s not just about understanding people; it’s about connecting with them in a way that transcends differences and creates lasting, meaningful bonds. I pray these words strike a meaningful chord with you as you progress in your professional journey. #EmotionalIntelligence #PeopleManagement #SoftSkills

Happy Deepavali / Halloween 🎃 #linkedin tribe! As we enjoy a helpful break in the workweek in a multicultural occasion, I reflected on my recent interaction with Nanyang Technological University Singapore Masters in Media students this week. At the invitation of Dr. Catherine Wu, I facilitated a workshop for her class using #legoseriousplay to explore the topic of #workplace #communication in a multi-culture setting. For context Dr Wu is teaching a class about cultural intelligence. Having lived and worked in #newyorkcity 🇺🇸 #Beijing 🇨🇳 and #denmark 🇩🇰 I was fortunate to have been exposed to the full spectrum of cultural differences. If we follow Hofstede's cultural dimensions model, I navigated cultures that seemed polar opposite: (1) US vs Singapore : Individualism vs Communalism (2) China vs Denmark: High Context communication vs low context (3) China vs US: formal deferential vs informal egalitarian (4) Singapore vs China: lower on Power Distance vs High on power distance I shared from my many 'war stories' and was asked what advice would I give managers or leaders who need to navigate this: (1) "When in Rome, don't ask why there aren't pineapples on pizza" Your best chances of success when you are 'fresh off the boat', is to set aside your own cultural assumptions. Keep an open mind and be curious why your co-workers don't respond to the same topic in the same way (be it punctuality, communication, hierarchy etc). Be patient, especially when English is not their first language. (2) Try to find common ground I shared that I was pleasantly surprised after my stints in China and Denmark that the two cultures which seem so different on the outside, actually share a very similar cultural tenet. In China 🇨🇳 this is the concept of "Behave in Moderation 中庸"，don't be too extreme in your views or behavior, for the greater welfare of society or community at large. In Denmark 🇩🇰 they call this Jantelouen ("Jante's Laws") one of which says "You are not to think you are anyone Special" When you understand where culture is rooted, it is easier to find a way to meet our co workers where they are instead of pushing with your own norms. (3) Emphasize the company culture it was less helpful to focus on where people were different, and more helpful to rally them to a common organizational value such as Collaboration or Result Orientation. and yes, we did some LEGO builds as well. 😊 #communication #leadership #facilitation #Singapore #culture

Anglos and Latins in a negotiation? It can be like salsa dancing with a drill sergeant.🤣 Here’s some cross-cultural intelligence in 3 dance moves. My first negotiation with an Anglo-Saxon client was eye-opening. I arrived five minutes late, carrying the warmth of a Latin American morning. Their look said, “What’s wrong with your watch?” In Latin America, we juggle tasks, get a little distracted, and value relationships. Deals are personal – you invite them over for dinner and introduce them to your abuela. Anglo-Saxons? They live by punctuality. They focus on one task at a time, and a missed deadline is a cardinal sin. You can imagine the culture shock when I suggested we discuss the contract over a three-hour lunch. As the meeting progressed, my counterpart pulled out a detailed agenda. Every minute was accounted for. While I was winging it with charm and a few notes on a napkin. For us, Latins, plans are flexible, like a good salsa dance. You adjust, improvise, and go with the flow. But in their world? Deviating from the plan was a disaster. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗵: 1️⃣ Direct vs. Indirect Communication: Anglos love bluntness; Latins prefer subtlety. 📌 Adaptation: ↳ Anglos, read between the lines. ↳ Latins, be clearer. ↳ Both, check in regularly to avoid misinterpretations. 2️⃣ Building Relationships: Anglos: "Let's get this done." Latins: "Let's get to know each other first." 📌 Adaptation: ↳ Anglos, invest in small talk. ↳ Latins, be ready for quick chats. ↳ Both, balance business with bonding. 3️⃣ Time Management: Anglos run on schedules; Latins run on vibes. 📌 Adaptation: ↳ Anglos, be patient. ↳ Latins, respect the clock. ↳ Both, agree on time expectations upfront. In the end, we found a middle ground. I respected their punctuality; they valued relationships. It was a cultural dance, sometimes awkward but always moving forward. Cultural intelligence in negotiations isn’t just a tactic – it’s transformative. How do you navigate these cultural quirks? Share your funniest or most frustrating experiences below! #NegotiationByDesign #Negotiation #Culture

🌏 Navigating Cultural Nuances: Lessons from My Experience in Southeast Asia 🌏 💁♀️ During my time living and working in Southeast Asia, I encountered a fascinating cultural difference that challenged my understanding of communication: the meaning of "yes." Unlike in my native France or in Germany, where "yes" typically signifies agreement or affirmation, I discovered that in Southeast Asia, it often served a different purpose. 👉 In this vibrant region, saying "yes" was more than just a simple acknowledgment; it was a gesture of respect, a way to maintain harmony, and an expression of goodwill. However, this cultural nuance posed a unique challenge in my professional interactions with clients and colleagues. 🤔 So, how did I navigate this cultural landscape and ensure effective communication? ✅ Clarifying Questions: I learned the importance of asking clarifying questions to ensure mutual understanding. Rather than assuming that a "yes" meant full agreement or commitment, I would delve deeper to uncover the underlying meaning and intentions behind the response. ✅ Identifying Next Steps: By proactively asking about the next steps the team would take, I could gauge the level of commitment and ensure alignment on future actions. This helped prevent misunderstandings and kept projects moving forward smoothly. ✅ Addressing Potential Barriers: Understanding that a "yes" might not always translate to immediate action, I made it a point to inquire about any potential barriers or challenges that could hinder project delivery. This proactive approach allowed me to anticipate obstacles and provide necessary support to the team. 💁♀️ While my experience in Southeast Asia highlighted the complexities of cross-cultural communication, it's essential to recognize that similar nuances exist in other cultures as well. 🤔 Have you ever encountered a situation where a "yes" meant something else in a different cultural context? How did you navigate it? 🤩 Let's continue the conversation and share our experiences in navigating cultural differences to foster better understanding and collaboration across borders. 🌍 #CulturalIntelligence #CrossCulturalCommunication #GlobalWorkplaceInsights

𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻'𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆'𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀. But only if you know how to decode them. I recently had a coaching session that highlighted this perfectly. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱: A client was struggling with her boss. The issue? Cultural miscommunication. The boss was Dutch. My client was from Asia. Two different cultural backgrounds colliding. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱: 1. 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁 • The boss's communication style was typically Dutch • Direct, which can seem harsh to other cultures 2. 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 • My client saw it as personal criticism • In reality, it was cultural norm difference 3. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 • Understanding the cultural context • Adapting communication styles 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁? • Clarity in communication • Improved working relationship • Enhanced job satisfaction Once we put the cultural puzzle pieces in place, everything changed. My client learned to "speak Dutch" professionally. The takeaway? Cultural intelligence isn't just nice to have. It's a critical tool for career success. 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀? Watch my LinkedIn Live: "Build Your Global Leadership Edge: Cultural Intelligence for Team Success" 👉 https://lnkd.in/e3udvtik Learn how to turn cultural challenges into career opportunities. Now, I'm curious: Have you ever had an "aha" moment about cultural differences at work? Share your story in the comments. Let's build our collective cultural intelligence together. 𝗣.𝗦. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲'𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁? 

3 of my students got blocked,2 got “silence” from their international Leads for DM conversations gone wrong,I read their screen shots & Almost fainted 😞 You know when speaking with a Nigerian who is your peer is different from a Nigerian who is older than you Then even when either of them is a client the dynamics will also vary Not to talk of adding gender, religion & ideology By the time you now want to have conversations with an international connect ? That’s another ball game You need to read the manual titled “Cautionary Tales of Crossing Cultural Boundaries" As a coach to Nigerian & international creatives, I've seen many talented individuals struggle to close deals with foreign clients. Many make a simple yet critical mistake: poor DM strategy. Let me break down the mistake made Student 1: "The Overly Curious" Asked irrelevant and personal questions, crossing professional boundaries. Student 2: "The Sales Sprinter" Dived into sales pitches without building rapport. Student 3: "The Cultural Misfit" Failed to consider cultural nuances, using tone-deaf language. So Dr ish what now happened to them ? They got …. Blocked. Deleted. Lost opportunities. If you are not sure of your DM game and you want to successfully DM foreign clients, remember: 🔸 Research Cultural Context Understand local customs, values, and communication styles. 🔸 Build Rapport Establish common ground, ask thoughtful questions. 🔸Be Respectful Avoid personal or sensitive topics. 🔸Value Relationship Over Sales Focus on building trust, not just closing deals. As a Nigerian Creative let me give you this gift for your DM Strategy 1. Start with a personalized greeting. 2. Show genuine interest in their work or industry. 3. Ask open-ended, relevant questions. 4. Gradually introduce your services or offerings. 5. Be patient, respectful, and professional. This may take from a few days,few weeks to months Please don’t be in a hurry Peoples minds operate differently By adapting your DM strategy to consider cultural differences and building genuine relationships, you'll increase your chances of closing deals with foreign clients. Any DM horror stories or successes ? I’d like to hear from you Let's learn from each other's experiences and master the art of cross-cultural communication. P.S please repost ♻️ so that the DM Gbasgbos on Linkedin can reduce small 😞 See you in Class Tomorrow!! #CrossCulturalCommunication #NigerianCreatives #ForeignClients #SalesTips #RelationshipBuilding

🚨 Relationship building in a multi-cultural set-up🚨 The first time I worked in a #multi-cultural setting I had access to different teams and workstreams as a comms professional and this meant interacting with different people and cultures throughout the day. The organization’s pace was fast. The inter-cultural learning pace was faster and at times, felt intimidating. I put in the work to better understand my environment and share here some tips that have held true for me over the years. 💡Be respectful at all times. You will encounter many differences for instance in beliefs, values, approaches to work, communication; to name a few. Seek to understand the context(s) rather than impose your ways. ⚠Keep off topics that will always be highly charged and fueled by strong opinions. 💡Listen to learn. Often times we listen to respond and our response isn’t what was needed. Listening to learn heightens your sensitivity to really hear what is being said and especially what is unsaid so that your input or solution is effectively meeting the need. 💡Take a flexible approach to work. For instance, some cultures prefer a straight approach to feedback and are less hierarchical while others, feedback is layered, and hierarchy is strictly observed. Quickly adapting to such nuances enhances productivity and reduces conflict. 💡Authenticity. Be yourself, stay true to your values, be open and genuine in your interactions.  This nurtures trust and helps not just build, but also maintain relationships. 📌 Handle disagreements quickly rather than let them fester. At the core of many multi-cultural disagreements is lack of #communication, miscommunication, misunderstanding from miscommunication - essentially a variant of poor communication. Conflict resolution will be informed by the specific situation and may look like agreeing to disagree and in more serious instances, working with a mediator. The gains surpass the challenges of cultural diversity at the workplace - do share your tips for success in the comments. #Communication #CulturalDiversity #Comms4Good 📸 Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay