How to Overcome Cultural Barriers

Cultural barriers take many forms, from differences in religious beliefs to communication challenges created by unfamiliar languages and non-verbal behaviors. Overcoming these sorts of obstacles isn’t always easy, but it’s worth the effort to promote mutual respect and good will between people of different backgrounds. The most important thing to remember is to be accepting of others’ customs and treat them with the same consideration that you would ask for yourself. Taking the time to familiarize yourself with aspects of someone else’s culture and learning a few key phrases of their language can also go a long way towards bridging gaps and enabling more effective collaboration.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Working with People from Different Cultural Backgrounds

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1
Accommodate your coworkers’ special religious needs or practices. Some religions issue stricter guidelines for their adherents’ daily lives than others. In order to avoid culture clashes in the workplace, it’s best to give people leeway to fulfill their religious duties, even if they interfere with your regular schedule or interrupt a project or meeting.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Devout Muslims, for instance, pray 5 times per day at various prescribed times, including midday, afternoon, and evening. For your Islamic office mates, these prayer sessions aren’t “breaks” that the other workers aren’t getting, but essential acts of spiritual devotion.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Similarly, there may be times when a coworker or employee requests off for a major religious or national holiday that to you is just another day.
Tip: If you need another reason to let your coworkers practice their religion freely, remember that the United States Constitution protects all American citizens from discrimination, harassment, and unfair treatment on the basis of their faith.
2
Communicate with non-native speakers in a clear, polite manner. Make it a point to use simple words and phrases as much as possible, and stay away from potentially-confusing slang terms or sayings unless you’re sure that the person knows what you mean. It can be hard enough to get your point across to someone who speaks the same language as you, let alone someone who’s struggling to master a second or third language.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Be sure to apply this simplified mode of communication to emails, memos, important documents, in-house literature, and all other written materials, as well: "Please turn in your reports by the end of the day Friday" is much more to-the-point than, "Make sure you've taken the appropriate steps to have your report submitted by no later than the end of regular operating hours on Friday."^{[4]XResearch source}
- Talking to someone in a way they can understand doesn’t just enhance the exchange of information between you. It also makes the person feel more comfortable and better able to respond to instructions and requests.
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3
Be willing to compromise when a particular custom causes tension. Talk to your teammate or employee and see if you can arrive at a mutual understanding of what sorts of behaviors are acceptable for work and what aren’t. Not all traditions will make the grade, but with frank, open communication, you’ll have a much better chance of coming to an arrangement that satisfies everyone.
- While it might not be practical for a Spanish colleague to take a siesta every afternoon when there’s lots of work to be done, you could let them know that they’re welcome to use their lunch break however they please.
4
Invest in diversity training and education. If resources allow, a formal diversity training course can give your staff the chance to try on new perspectives and learn how to cooperate more effectively. This sort of training typically consists of classroom-style learning or special presentations or seminars with the aim of promoting mutual respect and understanding between professionals with different cultural backgrounds.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Online courses, video presentations, and information packets can all be cost-effective training solutions if there’s no room in the budget for a more involved program.
- You don’t necessarily need to bring in an outside expert to improve employee relations. You can conduct your own diversity training by holding team meetings where you and your coworkers take part in free discussion or role-playing and other creative exercises.^{[6]XTrustworthy SourceHarvard Business ReviewOnline and print journal covering topics related to business management practicesGo to source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Familiarizing Yourself with Other Cultures

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1
Make an effort to learn a little bit about other people’s cultures. Read up on Taiwanese holiday celebrations, watch French films, try some Ethiopian food, or ask an expat coworker what life is like in St. Petersburg. Through this kind of first-hand research, you can begin the process of building bridges between your own culture and less familiar ones. You’ll probably even have fun doing it!
- Even just taking the time to memorize a few key phrases in a coworker’s native language can be enough to demonstrate your good will and desire to connect on a more personal level.
Tip: Having an open mind about how things are done elsewhere is especially important if your job requires you to travel or oversee international affairs.^{[7]XResearch source}
2
Ask polite questions when faced with cultural quirks. If one of your associates has a habit of doing something that you find unusual or perplexing, don’t be afraid to voice your curiosity—just make sure you do so genially. Chances are, the person will be delighted that you’re showing an interest in their way of life.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Instead of asking a Japanese colleague, “Why do you always call me by my last name? I thought we were friends!”, you might try phrasing the question in a less pointed way, such as, “Is it customary in Japan to refer to a coworker by their formal title?”^{[9]XResearch source}
- Asking questions is often the best way to learn. However, it’s important to form your questions tactfully to avoid offending the person or making them feel singled out.
3
Encourage others to share their cultural experience. Strive to create a hospitable atmosphere where everyone feels welcome to open up about how they view the world. This is not only good for morale, but can be personally enriching, as well. You never know what you might gain another person’s insights.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Give employees from different cultural backgrounds the opportunity to take a more active role in company operations by seeking their input during conferences or contributing to the weekly newsletter.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preventing and Dealing with Cultural Conflict

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1
Avoid buying into damaging stereotypes. Nobody likes being put in a box. Be aware of the cultural baggage you’re bringing to the table when engaging with those who are different from you, especially if that difference is ethnic. Despite the similarities that exist between the members of a cultural group, people are still individuals, and tend to like being treated as such.^{[11]XResearch source}
- It’s always better to ask someone for their perspective directly rather than assuming you know how they think or feel based on cultural categories.
- At best, acting on preconceived notions is annoying. At worst, it can lead to hurt feelings, mistrust, or even smoldering resentment.^{[12]XResearch source}
2
Resist the urge to criticize others’ beliefs or customs. Unless a given difference is having a negative impact on productivity or interactions between employees, keep your judgmental opinions to yourself. It’s not your place to tell someone else what to value or how to act, at work or anywhere else. The world, and the break room, is big enough for everyone.^{[13]XResearch source}
- If for some reason circumstances require you to comment on a coworker or employee’s behavior, make sure it’s coming from a place of professional obligation rather than personal objection.
- Keep in mind that your own beliefs, attitudes, and mannerisms may seem just as odd to someone from another culture as theirs do to you.^{[14]XResearch source}
3
Have a sense of humor. Think of the occasional miscommunication or social faux pas as something to laugh off, not something to be ashamed of. Humor is one human trait that has universal appeal. When used in the right way at the right time, it also has the capacity to transcend language, culture, and other perceived sources of separation.^{[15]XResearch source}
- Being able to laugh at will also help put the other person at ease when they might otherwise feel embarrassed.^{[16]XResearch source}
Warning: When you take things too seriously, it has a tendency to just make the situation even more awkward for everyone involved.

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Tips

Comporting yourself well in cross-cultural encounters doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it’s usually as simple as remembering the Golden Rule: treat others the way you want to be treated.
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Becoming more in tune with another culture doesn’t mean suppressing or apologizing for your own. It’s completely possible to be proud of your cultural heritage and accepting of other people’s at the same time.
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Warnings

Generally speaking, it’s best to steer clear of sensitive subjects like politics and religion when getting to know someone from a different cultural background, particularly in the workplace. In some places, it’s considered rude to bring up these sorts of topics.
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