Course Description
Effective cross-cultural communication requires not only awareness of differences in styles, but also learning how to bridge those styles for increased mutual understanding. So how do effective communicators determine the best mode of communication for an intercultural situation? How do they relay their message in a way that conveys the correct meaning without causing irritation or misunderstanding?
In these lessons on Communication Style and Cross-Cultural Situations, you will learn how to alternate between high- and low-context communication styles, adjust behavior according to predominant values or protocols, and gain insight into how to engage people in different cultures through different means of communication. These lessons will help you develop situational awareness to choose between a more assertive or diplomatic communication style and deciding when to make statements or ask questions so you can better convey a message. You’ll also learn how to align your written communication in a culturally effective way and be aware of the possible effects of maintaining eye contact during cross-cultural exchanges.
What You'll Learn
- Alternate between high-context and low-context communication styles
- Adjust your behavior according to predominant cultural values or protocols
- Determine the best way to offer feedback across cultures
- Choose between a more assertive or diplomatic communication style using situational awareness
- Align written communication in a culturally effective way
- Engage people cross-culturally through different modes of communication, including face-to-face, phone, written, and digital channels
Key Takeaways
- Effective cross-cultural communication requires awareness of differences in styles and learning how to bridge those styles for increased mutual understanding.
- Situational awareness helps a communicator decide when to make statements versus ask questions and whether to use an assertive or diplomatic style.
- Communicators can adjust their behavior according to the predominant values or protocols of a culture.
- Maintaining eye contact during cross-cultural exchanges can have possible effects that communicators should be aware of.
- Written communication can be aligned in a culturally effective way to convey the correct meaning without causing irritation or misunderstanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this course cover?
The course covers communication style and cross-cultural situations, including how to alternate between high- and low-context styles, adjust behavior to cultural values or protocols, offer feedback across cultures, develop situational awareness, align written communication, and understand the role of eye contact in cross-cultural exchanges.
What communication modes does the course address?
It addresses engaging people cross-culturally through different modes of communication, with lessons on face-to-face communication, phone communication, written communication, and digital and email communication.
What will I be able to do after completing this course?
You will be able to determine the best way to offer feedback across cultures, understand the importance of eye contact in communication, engage people cross-culturally through different modes of communication, and adjust to different communication styles.
How is the course structured?
The course includes an introduction followed by lessons on adopting a communication style, situational awareness, face-to-face communication, phone communication, written communication, and digital and email communication, and concludes with a Test Your Knowledge section.
Professional Certifications and Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Professional Development Units (PDUs): 0.5
KnowledgeCity has been reviewed and approved by the PMI® Authorized Training Partner Program. Users can maintain your PMI credentials by earning PDUs from KnowledgeCity qualified courses in Project Management, Business Management, Leadership and many others.
