Essay Sample on Culture's Impact on Communication

Both the business and job environment continues to be more interactive due to emerging forces such as globalization and market integration. Therefore entrepreneurs, business people, and potential employees need to develop intercultural competence in communication. Despite the fact that developing competence in intercultural communication is replete with challenges such as differences in communicating words and gestures, and possible misinterpretation by an individual from another culture. This misinterpretation of words and non-verbal cues may significantly undermine the quality of intercultural communication. Nonetheless, competence in communicating with people from other cultures makes one flexible to new values, beliefs, expectations, and symbols. With this, the process of carrying out a business or working in a foreign land becomes satisfying and efficient.

The level of attention that one needs to pay towards intercultural communication depends on which environment he or she is. In a high context culture, the expectations of the members have been established over a long period hence they are not clearly stipulated since they are well known. In such context, a foreigner must develop the attributes of an anthropology and develop a closer understanding of the deep-rooted but less evident values, patterns, and practices of that society. On the other hand, in low context cultures, a foreigner easily identifies the cultural dictates since they are explicit. The manner in which people communicate across cultures depends on the home culture which must be made to be more flexible when interacting with a foreigner. For instance, A Japanese will perceive Westerners to be blunt while the latter may find the former to be secretive. Therefore, in the context of business, a westerner may feel that the nature of transaction with a Japanese will remain undisclosed hence some sense of protection from competitors.

In order to maintain effective intercultural communication, an individual should;

Actively seek a mutual ground for communication.

Avoid prejudice when sending and receiving

Uphold respect for cultural differences.

Ensure that the messages sent are honest

In conclusion, with the increased levels of interactions through business and employment outside an individuals culture, it is the expectation of everyone to have some sense of freedom when interacting others. This can only be attained through sensitivity to the diverse cultures and being flexible to the unique symbols, customs, traditions and other modes of expression of other people. For further expository information about cultural competence, anyone is free to contact me anytime through my private email address which is.(Client to fill email address here)

References

Bakic-Miric, N. (2012). An integrated approach to intercultural communication. Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

Guffey, M. E., & Almonte, R. (2009). Essentials of business communication. Toronto: Nelson Education.