Are you ready to work with different cultures?

Working with different cultures has become an important skill in our global world, it is absolutely a challenge. There are many people go to other countries to work, majority of managers need to manage their teams who are located in different countries virtually. I would like to share some of tips to prepare you to work with different cultures. I have added my observation and experiences here with you as I have also continued to work with different cultures during my working life and enjoy it a lot!

Firstly know your culture
Do you know your culture and its reflection to your behaviors? In order to be able to understand other cultures, firstly you should understand your own culture. I met with many people who grew up in 3-4 different countries, not in his/her original country during childhood. Maybe they can be affected by other cultures on top of their original culture. But in any case, you should know your family values coming from roots and have a high awareness about your own values, behaviors and personal traits. If you know them, it will be easier for you to discover other cultures and differences between your culture and the other culture.

Respect to other cultures
Respect, respect, respect to other cultures! It is very important to understand that there is no right or wrong between yours and other cultures. Please do not judge other cultures’ traits. Some of local culture traits may seem really funny for you. I also observe that some local people are quite mature to joke about their own cultures, but it is important to be careful when you joke for other cultures, you never know whether some local people can take your jokes seriously or not.

Observe locals and talk with them
You should be a good observer to understand cultural elements and reflection to behaviors. Sometimes observation may not be enough, I recommend you to meet and talk with locals in every possible occasion, ask questions with showing respect and share your culture. I think it is important to share your culture with them, because they should also know you better and understand reasons behind of your behaviors. Knowing each other will make relationships much stronger.

Be open and eager to learn new culture
Yes, learning and trying to adapt new culture are out of your comfort zone. But it is a good development opportunity to enrich your experiences. During my working life, I have observed many international colleagues that the ones who spent effort to learn local culture(s) they worked with have been able to build stronger relationships and be more successful than others. A small example ; if you can speak even some key words in local language of that culture, you have an advantage in building relationship easier and get respect from local people.

You may make mistakes
Yes, you may make mistakes at the beginning. But please think the solution to not do the same mistake again. If you see other international colleagues who are making mistake, please be open to help them.

I believe showing empathy and listening others with respect are first elements to learn new cultures and adapt you. I personally saw benefits of them in my adaptation to new culture. As soon as you start to learn more details about new cultures, I am sure you will start to discover some similarities between cultures which are also fun.
Enjoy this unique experience!