Intercultural Conflict in the Workplace: every Organization's Nightmare

Conflict is a clash of values that is a common occurrence in the workplace. Add ethnic, geographic and lingual diversities to the conflict, and it will become the stuff of every organization's nightmare. Not to mention, the International Assignee's too.

More and more executives are expected to work internationally, hence business and social contacts between people of various nationalities increased. As these people come from disparate cultural backgrounds, geographical barriers gave way to communication barriers that lead to tensions and conflicts.

Intercultural Clash comes about when the initial stages of conflict experienced by members of a multicultural team were not sufficiently or soonest addressed. There are many reasons to this, for instance: the reluctance to confront the issue with the other party; nipping the problem in the bud soonest possible; and by allowing a trivial matter to fester. Also, there are team members who refuse to accept their failings; instead blaming others - and the entire host society for that matter - for their problems.

Intercultural Conflict in the Workplace: every Organization's Nightmare

As expounded further below, International Assignees and their fellow team members can minimize Intercultural Clashes by recognizing the contributing factors. It is entirely not possible to eliminate conflicts as there are people who flourish, or thrive, under pressure.

One may argue that I am biased against the International Assignee as evidenced under Factors Leading to Conflict below. However, studies had suggested it was mostly unhappy Assignees who cause premature repatriation. That is surely unnecessary costs to the organization; including additional expenses to expatriate replacements.

A. FACTORS LEADING TO CONFLICT

Assignees' Attitude and Mindset

1. Assignees' lack of cultural sensitivity impedes adjustments to their environment

2. Assignees' unwillingness to adapt and accept both host and other team members' cultural value systems

3. Assignees' lack of preparation for differences in cultural practices prior to assignment

4. Perceived hostile and harsh host environment that conflicts with Assignees' home values

5. Assignees imposing their assumed superior cultural values and practices onto other team members

The Environment

1. English is not the first or native language of team members which lead to a breakdown in communication

2. Corporate culture that Assignees find bewildering and illogical; or perceive as inferior

3. Team members' cultural practices contradict Assignees' deeply-held personal values or convictions

4. Assigned roles do not encourage Assignees to modify presumptions and assumptions made prior to engagement

5. Failure of [host country] Human Resources - and to a lesser extent, Assignees' Immediate Superior - for not assisting Assignees in integrating and adjusting to the environment

B. WAYS TO RESOLVE CONFLICT

Support from Human Resources and Immediate Superior

1. Encourage Assignees to talk about the conflicts; and advise them they are of Personality rather than Cultural by nature

2. Advise Assignees to work on a solution

3. Organize Team-Building indoor / outdoor courses where team members get to mingle and learn about one another

4. Organize intra-departmental social events where team members get to mingle and learn more about one another

If all else fails

1. Register Assignees for e2m Cross-Cultural Coaching

Intercultural Conflict in the Workplace: every Organization's Nightmare
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Multi-ethnic and polyglot Ange Teo is the Founder-Managing Director of e2m expat etiquette mentoring, a Singapore-based Cross-Cultural Communications Solutions Provider.

Having worked with some of the world’s leading Multinational Companies and Singapore-based Small Medium Enterprises for over 20 years; Ange Teo specialises in the areas of Information Technology, Secretarial/Administration, and Human Resources specifically Executive Search / Headhunting.

For more information about e2m Cultural Intelligence [CQ]-focused Communications Solutions, please visit http://e2mentoring.tripod.com

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Communicating in the Workplace - The 5 C's of Becoming an Effective Communicator

Truly successful professionals are leaders who have mastered the art of effective communication. They are well-liked by colleagues (including subordinates and superiors), your company's clients seem to love them too and they always seem to close the major deals.

It may seem like these individuals were blessed with a natural talent for speaking well - and maybe they were. But everything can be learned, including how to speak like a star.

Apply these 5 C's of effective communication to enhance your relationships and get on the road to greater professional success:

Communicating in the Workplace - The 5 C's of Becoming an Effective Communicator

1. Articulate Clearly

If your listeners can not understand what you are saying, your message will never be effective. The easiest way to instantly improve the clarity of your speech is to slow down. When we get nervous or stressed our rate of speaking often increases. And these are the times when calm eloquence and tact are most needed. Take a deep breath, slow down and speak clearly.

It is also important to formulate your thoughts in a clear manner so that other people can understand your message. Stick to your main point, be as concise as possible and back up your arguments with examples and stories that make sense to your listener.

2. Speak Correctly

Whether you like it or not, you will be judged based on how you speak. Individuals with poor grammar and sloppy speech patterns are often viewed as being lazy, uneducated and even disrespectful.

Make proper speech a priority. Polish up your grammatical skills and build a healthy vocabulary. Read as much as you can, ask your friends, family or colleagues for help or join a grammar refresher course.

You may not see this as a very important point, but as our world becomes more global, just speaking English isn't enough. You need to speak it really well.

3. Be Considerate

Before you even open your mouth, focus on being considerate towards everyone you meet. Make eye contact with people when they approach you. Have a good attitude and show your winning smile.

Show that you care for others by asking questions and showing interest. Remember personal details that are important to them, and build a relationship that consists of more than just the work at hand. Limited small talk is imperative to building rapport and stronger relationships in the workplace.

If you are considerate towards others, they will also treat you with care and respect. We all like working with people we like, so your goal should be to be well-liked by others. The way you achieve this is by being friendly, considerate and showing you care.

4. Give Compliments

In addition to being considerate, another way to build instant rapport is to give sincere compliments. Recognize those around you for a job well done. Show interest by congratulating others on their accomplishments.

If your colleague mentions that he finally finished that big project that you know he was slaving over for months, respond with a sincere "Great job!" or "Good for you!" These types of remarks are always appreciated.

Keep in mind that compliments should be subtle and appropriate and the closeness of your relationship also determines how a compliment will be received. Commenting on a colleague's physical appearance for example, may not be acceptable in the modern workplace, unless you are also very close friends outside of the office.

5. Have Confidence

In the end, a successful communicator is a confident communicator. It is hard to take someone seriously who doesn't seem to believe in his own words.

Confidence does not just come from what you are verbalizing (saying), but also what you are vocalizing - in other words, the pace, pitch and volume of your voice. A calm, steady voice we can hear always sounds stronger and more confident than a quiet, mousy squeak.

Your visual appearance can also exude confidence or draw from it. Make sure you stand straight and make firm eye contact when you address other people. Even the least confident individuals can "fake" a confident image simply by forcing themselves to do these two simple things.

Communicating in the Workplace - The 5 C's of Becoming an Effective Communicator
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Heather Hansen, founder of Singapore-based Hansen Speech & Language Training, is an executive speech and language coach, writer and trainer. If you want to boost your linguistic abilities and become a powerful speaker, visit her website http://www.hansenslt.com now for free information on how to speak clearly, correctly and confidently! Join her mailing list to receive your free special report, Speak Clearly! and as a special bonus you'll also receive her monthly newsletter, Speak like a Star!

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Workplace Communications: Seven Simple Rules for Getting Along at Work

Workplace communications. It's the foundation of all work place relationships. When you factor in the fact that most professionals spend at least a third of their time at work, being an effective communicator becomes a core competency that everyone should work to improve. Developing good communications and workplace relationships can often, however, be difficult to achieve. Here are 7 simple communications rules to help you improve your relationships with co-workers...and raise your quality-of-life-at-work.

Observe boundaries. People have different comfort zones regarding their personal space, inquiries about their personal lives, and their personal property that deserve your respect. For example, a civil office relationship can quickly turn nasty if a colleague's desk space is raided for candy without their permission. Fulfill commitments. The currency of most relationships is based on whether your "word is your bond." In other words, be trustworthy. Follow through on your personal and professional commitments to your colleagues. If your reputation at work is ever on the line, your co-workers will be more likely to reserve judgment and grant you the benefit of doubt...just when you need it the most. Respect time. Some people you work with are social animals who enjoy the banter and casual conversation that goes on in every office. Others can live without it. Notice the rhythm and ease that co-workers exchange pleasantries with you, and engage them up to but not exceeding their comfort zones. When they get antsy or start glancing at their watches, move on and let them get back to work. Pay attention. Many of us talk more than we listen. Practice active listening and learn to process what is said and unsaid (i.e., consider a colleague's voice inflection, body language, etc.) in order to improve the quality of your communication in the work place. Is there an introvert in your midst? Someone who reflects first and then speaks? Ramp-up your listening and processing skills with these colleagues so that they know their thoughts and feelings are appreciated and accepted. Avoid gossip. Those who talk about others will talk about you, too. When you or others are being damned by faint praise, (it happens!), or falsehoods about you are being spread like wildfire, you will want a colleague with the backbone to nip that gossip in the bud. That means you have to walk away from gossip when you encounter it, in spite of how appealing it may be. Ask questions. When in doubt, ask! Find out whether a colleague prefers to hit the ground running or ease into the morning slowly. Ask your co-workers in the next office whether they prefer a phone call, an email, or a face-to-face visit if you have a quick question in the middle of the day. Then, demonstrate that you respect their preferences by acting on them. Check-in. Listen to what your gut is telling you about your work place relationships. If anything in your communication with a colleague feels out of order, check to see how you can iron it out in order to get back on track with each other. Addressing miscues and miscommunications in your work place relationships when they first occur is much easier than waiting until the problem escalates into open hostilities. Effective communication in the work place is vital to improving personal productivity and attaining a high quality-of-life-at work. Strengthening your communications skills and work place relationships takes both time and effort. And...it's worth it.

Workplace Communications: Seven Simple Rules for Getting Along at Work

Workplace Communications: Seven Simple Rules for Getting Along at Work
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Jackie Jordan Davis is an executive coach who has been in private practice since 1997. Visit www.voicelessons.ws for more information on the executive coaching, consulting and communications training she offers for women in the workplace.

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