How can global organizations overcome communication challenges?

Communication is essential for any organization, but especially for global ones that operate across different cultures, languages, and time zones. Communication challenges can affect productivity, collaboration, innovation, and trust among employees and customers. How can global organizations overcome communication challenges and leverage their diversity as a strength? Here are some tips based on emotional intelligence, the ability to understand and manage emotions in yourself and others.

1 Assess your communication style

The first step to improve your communication is to know your own style and preferences. How do you express yourself, listen, give feedback, and resolve conflicts? Do you prefer direct or indirect, formal or informal, verbal or non-verbal, and high- or low-context communication? How do you adapt to different situations and audiences? You can use self-assessment tools, such as the DISC model, to identify your communication strengths and weaknesses.

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Soha Chahine- CIPD

Organisational Psychologist✦ Leadership Development ✦ Emotional Intelligence & Resilience Expert ✦ Team Dynamics Specialist ✦ Psychometric Assessor ✦ Adjunct Faculty ✦Lego Serious Play Practitioner ✦ Author & Speaker
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The global stage is a mosaic of communication styles and yes recognizing our inherent style is the first step towards effective global communication. Take it this way- Adjusting one's sails according to the wind doesn't mean you change your destination; it means you get there more efficiently :)

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2 Learn about other communication styles

The second step is to learn about the communication styles and preferences of your colleagues, clients, and partners from different cultures and backgrounds. How do they communicate their values, expectations, needs, and emotions? What are the norms, etiquette, and taboos of their culture? How do they perceive and respond to your communication style? You can use online resources, such as the Hofstede Insights, to compare and contrast different cultural dimensions of communication.

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3 Adjust your communication accordingly

The third step is to adjust your communication accordingly to the context, purpose, and relationship of your interaction. How can you communicate effectively and respectfully with different communication styles and preferences? How can you avoid misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and conflicts? How can you build rapport and trust with your interlocutors? You can use strategies, such as active listening, empathy, feedback, and clarification, to communicate with emotional intelligence.

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Soha Chahine- CIPD

Organisational Psychologist✦ Leadership Development ✦ Emotional Intelligence & Resilience Expert ✦ Team Dynamics Specialist ✦ Psychometric Assessor ✦ Adjunct Faculty ✦Lego Serious Play Practitioner ✦ Author & Speaker
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Adapting our communication is not just about language, but also about resonance – understanding and being understood. Techniques like active listening, demonstrating empathy, seeking feedback, and ensuring clarity become essential tools. When we communicate with emotional intelligence, we don’t just share information; we build relationships.

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4 Use appropriate communication channels

The fourth step is to use appropriate communication channels for different types of messages and situations. How can you choose the best channel for your communication, considering the urgency, complexity, sensitivity, and tone of your message? How can you balance the use of synchronous and asynchronous, written and oral, and formal and informal channels? How can you ensure that your message is clear, concise, and consistent across different channels? You can use guidelines, such as the communication matrix, to select the most suitable channel for your communication.

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5 Leverage technology and tools

The fifth step is to leverage technology and tools to enhance your communication and collaboration with your global team and stakeholders. How can you use technology and tools to overcome the barriers of distance, time, and language? How can you use technology and tools to facilitate communication, coordination, and cooperation among your team members? How can you use technology and tools to create a shared vision, culture, and identity for your team? You can use platforms, such as Zoom, Slack, and Google Docs, to communicate and collaborate effectively and efficiently.

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6 Seek feedback and improvement

The sixth step is to seek feedback and improvement on your communication skills and performance. How can you measure the impact and outcomes of your communication? How can you solicit and receive feedback from your peers, managers, and customers? How can you use feedback to improve your communication skills and strategies? How can you keep learning and developing your communication competence and confidence? You can use methods, such as surveys, reviews, and coaching, to seek feedback and improvement.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Amanda Schroeder

Executive Assistant
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For global organisations various languages are to be expected. To ensure the message remains clear the organisation can seek assistance from employees who can speak another language to accurately translate the message for others to be better understand and grasp in their native tongue for example the main business language in England is English but should there be an office in Spain those that can speak Spanish fluently can assist in translating English communication into Spanish with the correct sentence structure, adjectives and punctuation.

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How can global organizations overcome communication challenges?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Assess your communication style

2 Learn about other communication styles

3 Adjust your communication accordingly

4 Use appropriate communication channels

5 Leverage technology and tools

6 Seek feedback and improvement

7 Here’s what else to consider

Emotional Intelligence

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How can global organizations overcome communication challenges?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess your communication style

2 Learn about other communication styles

3 Adjust your communication accordingly

4 Use appropriate communication channels

5 Leverage technology and tools

6 Seek feedback and improvement

7 Here’s what else to consider

Emotional Intelligence

Rate this article

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