The importance of intercultural skills in the workplace

As workplaces become more international, employers increasingly value intercultural competence alongside technical expertise. Speaking another language, showing respect for others and dealing well with cultural differences are becoming important workplace skills.

Intercultural skills matter because they help employees understand their colleagues and workplace, adjust to unfamiliar environments, reduce culture shock and build cultural awareness, knowledge and practical ability.

Learning about particular cultures is useful because customs differ geographically, even within a single country. Social cues can change from north to south or east to west, so we need to notice them and adapt. Here are three useful places to start:

• Personal space is key — Cultures have different expectations about physical distance. In some Middle Eastern cultures closer proximity may feel natural, while Americans often place more value on personal space and may feel uncomfortable when someone stands too close.
• Greetings are important — Learn how people greet business contacts in the culture you are visiting. Bowing conventions differ in Japan and China, while cheek-kissing is common in many Latin American social settings and can also appear in business contexts. A greeting can shape a business interaction from its very beginning.
• Learn to recognize social cues — Facial expressions, laughter, silence and other signals can carry different meanings across cultures. Missing those subtle cues can lead to misunderstandings, and in business that can mean lost deals, missed opportunities or wider problems in an international market.

My best advice to anyone travelling abroad or dealing with intercultural questions is simple: take a little time to learn about cultural differences and ask questions. It might even be enjoyable to discover how another culture approaches business. The workplace is becoming global, and these skills help us keep up.

Øyvind Nyborg