PRE-DISCUSSION
How do you get to communicate effectively across cultures?
Indicate whether you agree or disagree with each of the following
statements:
1. I am interested in interacting with people who are both like me anddifferent from me.
2. I am sensitive to the concerns of all minority and majority groups in our multicultural
country.
3. I can sense when persons from other cultures seem not to understand me or get
confused by my actions.
4. I have no fear communicating with persons from both minor and major cultural
groups.
5. People from other cultures may get angry with my cultural affiliates.
6. I deal with conflicts with people from other cultures depending on the situation and
their cultural background.
7. My culture is inferior to other cultures.
8. I can manage my behavior when dealing with people of different cultures

LESSON OUTLINE:
• The differences between Multicultural vs. Cross-cultural vs.
Intercultural
• 3 Perspectives of cultural and intercultural communication
• 5 Positive Effects of Intercultural Communication
• 5 Intercultural Skills you must have to Develop

The differences between Multicultural vs.
Cross-cultural vs. Intercultural
• Multiculturalism refers to the presence of multiple cultures within a
society. This can be due to immigration, cultural exchange, or other
factors.
• Cross-culturalism refers to the study of relationships between people
from different cultures. It can involve studying how culture shapes our
understanding of the world or examining how cultural differences can
lead to misunderstandings and conflict.
• Interculturalism is similar to cross-culturalism but also emphasizes
the importance of communication and interaction between people from
different cultures. Interculturalism aims to build relationships and
promote understanding between people from different cultures.

3 Perspectives of cultural and intercultural
communication
1. Indigenous Approach
The term “indigenous” refers to those ethnic groups native to a
particular region. The indigenous approach is an effort to ensure that
research about indigenous people is conducted in a way that is ethically
and culturally respectful.
This includes involving indigenous people in the research process and
ensuring that the findings are shared with the community in an
understandable and beneficial way.
The goal of the indigenous approach is to create knowledge that can be
used to improve indigenous people’s lives while preserving their cultural
heritage.

2. Cultural Approach
The cultural approach to intercultural communication focuses on how
culture shapes our understanding of the world. It examines how different
cultures communicate and how those differences can lead to
misunderstandings.
The cultural approach can also help us to understand why certain
behaviors are considered polite in one culture but rude in another. By
understanding these differences, we can learn to be more understanding
and tolerant of others.

3. Cross-Cultural Approach
The cross-cultural approach to intercultural communication
examines the ways that people from different cultures interact with
each other. It looks at how cultural differences can lead to
misunderstandings and conflict and how we can overcome these
challenges.
This approach can help us to build relationships with people from
other cultures by teaching us how to communicate across cultural
boundaries effectively.

5 Positive Effects of Intercultural
Communication
1. Effective Leadership
Leaders in today’s organizations must be able to navigate the complex
landscape of cultural differences. With the global business community
becoming increasingly connected, it is more important than ever for
leaders to be able to build cross-cultural understanding. One way to
develop this understanding is through intercultural communication training.
By learning about other cultures and developing intercultural competence,
leaders can be better equipped to effectively motivate and manage their
teams. In addition, in today’s diverse workplace, intercultural
communication skills are essential for any leader who wants to be
successful.

2. Improved Collaboration
In order to be successful, organizations must be able to
collaborate across cultural boundaries effectively. With proper
intercultural communication training, employees can learn the
skills to build positive relationships with colleagues from other
cultures.
This understanding can lead to improved communication and
collaboration, which can help organizations to achieve their goals.
Intercultural communication can also help to resolve conflict by
teaching people how to understand better and respect others.

3. Productivity and Proficiency
In order to be productive, employees need to be able to
communicate effectively with each other. When people from
different cultures cannot communicate, it can lead to
misunderstandings and frustration.Intercultural communication
training can help employees better understand and work together
more effectively.

4. Promotes Understanding and Tolerance
Intercultural communication is vital in today’s increasingly
globalized world. It promotes understanding and tolerance of
different cultures and helps people to see that there is more than
one way to view the world.
By understanding and respecting other cultures, we can build
communication and understanding bridges to help make the world
a better place. Intercultural communication is not only about
understanding different cultures but also about learning from them.
We can learn new ways of doing things and gain a deeper
understanding of our own culture by seeing it through the lens of
another. Intercultural communication is an essential skill we
should all strive to develop in a world that is becoming ever more
connected.

5. Global Business Advantage
Good intercultural business communication is essential for a successful
international operation. There are many aspects to effective
intercultural communication, including a proper understanding of
nonverbal communication, awareness of different ways people may
express themselves, and an understanding of how different cultures
view time, space, and relationships.
By investing in cross-cultural training, businesses can help employees
learn these critical skills and improve communication with people from
other cultures. In addition to improving communication, such training
can also help build trust and rapport, which are essential for any
successful business venture.
When done correctly, intercultural communication training can be a
powerful tool for businesses looking to operate successfully in an
increasingly global marketplace.

5 Intercultural Skills you must have to
Develop
1. Open-mindedness
One of the essential intercultural skills is open-mindedness. In order to be
successful in a globalized world, it is necessary to be open to new ideas and
different ways of doing things.
One way to become more open-minded is to seek out opportunities to learn
about other cultures.This could involve traveling to different countries, reading
books or articles about other cultures, or even taking a class on a topic
related to another culture.

2. Strong communication skills
Communication is the ability to clearly and concisely convey information
and to understand what others say to you. In any workplace,
communication is vital, but it is especially important in a culturally
diverse environment. In order to avoid misunderstandings, it is crucial to
be able to understand how people from different backgrounds
communicate.
The skills and qualities that can help you as you work on improving your
communication abilities are nonverbal communication, empathy, active
listening, and conflict resolution. By honing these skills, you will be
better equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities of a
culturally diverse workplace.

3. Problem-solving skills
Problem-solving skills are essential in the workplace, where the mix of
different cultures can require you to find a new approach to resolve an
issue. These intercultural communication skills allow you to handle
challenges and solve them calmly by evaluating various alternatives to
find the best solution. The culture in which someone is raised affects the
way they communicate.
People from collectivist cultures are more likely to consider the group
when deciding. In contrast, people from individualist cultures are more
likely to choose based on their needs. As a result, problem-solving in a
workplace setting often requires an understanding of individual and group
dynamics. By being aware of these differences, you can more effectively
navigate the challenges that arise in the workplace.

4. Foreign language skills
Speaking or reading a foreign language can be a valuable asset in the
workplace. Moreover, cultural awareness and intercultural communication
skills are more critical in an increasingly international thrift.
Those who speak a second language often possess strong critical
thinking skills and can navigate difficult conversations. They may also be
more sociable and outgoing, which can help build relationships with
clients or customers.
While not everyone needs to be fluent in a foreign language, those with
these skills often find a competitive advantage in the workplace.

5. Collaboration skills
To be successful in an intercultural team, diplomacy skills are key to
maintaining positive relationships with everyone on the team. In addition,
group leaders must be adept at handling different cultures’ customs and
expectations while working toward a common goal.
A positive attitude is also necessary to help everyone feel comfortable
communicating and collaborating. Using these essential skills, intercultural
teams can overcome differences and achieve great things together.

THANK
YOU