Q & A Table of Contents
Is Cross Cultural Noise The Real Problem?
From: Sally, Melbourne, Australia
Question: I'm trying to understand the statement that "The key task of cross cultural communication is to limit the noise in cross cultural interaction".
Response: Limiting cross cultural 'noise' shouldn't be viewed as the key
task. Negotiators should focus on limiting the barriers created by cultural
dissonance. Fundamentally negotiation works best when the parties use the
process as a means of exchanging information. If cross cultural dissonance
hampers information exchange, then negotiation is more difficult.
Crossing cultures may reflect personal communication styles that derive from
one's nationality, gender, age, or even membership in a particular corporate
tribe. Inasmuch as these sorts of factors may come into play in any
negotiation, a good negotiator needs to go beyond what s/he finds on the
surface to develop a better comprehension of the interests of other parties.
A successful negotiation is a process that leads to an agreements the
parties will willingly fulfil. Unless the confusion that may arise from
cultural dissonance is overcome, parties' difficulty in understanding each
other could create obstacles to agreement because external factors have
erected a smokescreen that gets in the way of understanding.
Enjoy,
Steve
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