Mastering Cross-Cultural Communication: A Guide for College Students

• Becca Stoops
• January 09, 2024
• Newsletter Article

What does this look like? Asking questions like, “Can you help me understand why we do it this way?” Or saying things like, “Help me see what you see.” This kind of curiosity fosters an inclusive environment and allows you to learn in the process.

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As you gear up for an exciting career in the agricultural workplace — whether through an internship or full-time job — the working world you’re entering is diverse and encompasses various cultural differences. From age to gender, ethnicity, nationality, race, sexual orientation and more, these differences underscore the importance of learning to navigate and embrace cross-cultural communication skills.

 

Our different methods of thinking, analyzing, hearing, accepting and understanding are deeply rooted in our cultural experiences. Mastering communication across these cultural landscapes is key to effective and efficient collaboration.

 

So, how can you navigate cross-cultural communication in the workplace? Here's a guide tailored to empower your success. Developing these skills will not only bring out the best in you, but in those around you too.

 

Switch Your Frame of Reference

When engaging in projects or conversations, temporarily set aside your own ideas, values, needs and assumptions. This doesn’t mean throwing them away permanently or compromising your culture, values or beliefs. It just allows room for you to open yourself up to entertain different perspectives and value diverse viewpoints.

 

Switching your frame of reference allows you to temporarily suspend your cultural viewpoint to recognize others’, and foster trust and loyalty with those around you. This will  make you a better  teammate and leader.

 

Embrace Agility

Change is inevitable. And, it can be hard. Often times, we resist change or the need to adapt due to an unconscious fear that doing so will shift our beliefs or culture.

 

By becoming more adaptable and flexible, we allow ourselves the ability to develop new skillsets, take on new challenges, expand our knowledge and collaborate cross-functionally. Step out of your comfort zone to try new things in the workplace and embrace different ideas.

 

Be a Sponge

Being curious and open to diverse perspectives, and actively listening will help you better understand those around you. Genuine curiosity and noncritical questioning shows your interest in others and is an effective way to elicit the perspectives of others.

 

What does this look like? Asking questions like, “Can you help me understand why we do it this way?” Or saying things like, “Help me see what you see.” This kind of curiosity fosters an inclusive environment and allows you to learn in the process.

 

Be a Life-Long Learner

Engage in opportunities that expose you to diverse cultures, environments, perspectives and people. Networking with and learning from individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences will not only broaden your perspectives, but also your understanding of cross-cultural dynamics.

 

Proficiency in cross-cultural communication is not just a professional asset — it's a personal strength that fosters empathy, respect and successful collaborations in the landscape of agriculture.

 

To explore cross-cultural experiences in agriculture, visit agfuture.org.

To explore more career advice, visit our Career Success Library.