Change has been the norm for years. Some people are still struggling with accepting all of the changes in their personal and professional lives. At work they feel like victims of change. It might be more productive being the person that leads the change.
In order to lead change effectively, a flexible, yet systematic approach is […]
You have probably noticed a difference in how informally and formally people interact with each other.
Cultures, like the United States, are sometimes called egalitarian, symmetrical, or horizontal, because we believe that humans are created equal. Interpersonal relationships follow this theme of equality. Interpersonal relationships operate on a fairly equal basis regardless […]
Some people stand really close to each other when they talk. Some people stand across the room when they chat. So, do you close the gap or ask people to back up and provide some space?
Often different cultures have different orientations to social space. Spatial distance is just as powerful […]
You have probably noticed, personally and professionally, that some people arrive five or ten minutes early for appointments. Some people arrive twenty to thirty minutes later than scheduled. It could be a cross-cultural communication issue.
Cultures organize time and space differently. A researcher named Edward Hall categorizes cultures as either monochronic or polychronic.
Monochronic orientations emphasize schedules, […]
Have you noticed that some people are quite chatty and others are sort of silent?
Silence can convey so many different messages across cultures. Silence can be used to express disagreement, surprise, sorrow, defiance, approval, embarrassment, obligation, criticism, calming, humility, regret, condemnation or consent and many more.
Americans believe that talking is good, that rhetoric is critical […]