When working with international partners, do your homework. Find out as much as you can around the host country regarding its habits, customs, behaviors, and phraseology. Definitely get an interpreter to help you navigate areas of unfamiliarity. If you cannot, then invest in a language course or use an app like Babel. Ask questions along the way as you help to establish trust and rapport. And finally, don’t be afraid if you had a miscue. Apologize and find out how you can avoid that verbal or behavioral moving forth. Even as a Latino, when I visit a Latin-American country I try to follow these basic principles.

Aqui estão algumas estratégias que já utilizei: 1. Comunicação Clara e Transparente. 2. Empatia Cultural 3. Construção de Relacionamentos Pessoais 4. Consistência e Cumprimento de Compromissos 5. Feedback Contínuo 6. Capacitação Intercultural 7. Transparência nas Negociações 8. Estabelecimento de Normas Comuns. 9. Celebração de Sucessos Conjuntos 10. Paciência e Flexibilidade A confiança é um grande diferencial, ela garantirá o sucesso das relações!!

To establish trust, focus on clarity, consistency, and empathy. Clarity: Be transparent in your communication. Consistency: Follow through on promises and deadlines. Empathy: Understand and respect cultural differences.

I always advise native speakers to avoid metaphors, sayings and figures of speech. These only confuse the non-native speakers. Very often proverbs are culturally non-understandable to foreigners, and sound weird in the best case. If you want to be understood, better use plain speech and say exactly what you mean. Without being offensive, of course.

Active Listening: Show attentiveness and patience, confirming understanding to avoid miscommunication. Clarity and Simplicity: Use clear, simple language, avoiding jargon or idioms. Cultural Sensitivity: Respect local customs, communication styles, and business etiquette. Reliability: Follow through on commitments and timelines to build credibility. Ask for Feedback: Encourage partners to clarify or correct misunderstandings to show openness and collaboration.

To build trust with overseas partners despite language barriers, I focus on actionable steps that transcend words: - Visuals & Summaries: Use visuals and end meetings with a concise summary to clarify key points. -Shared Terminology: Establish agreed terms early to minimize misunderstandings. -Pre-Meeting Prep & Follow-Up: Share materials beforehand and follow up with notes to ensure clarity. -Personal Rapport: Engage in informal check-ins, showing respect beyond business. -Adaptable Communication: Tailor communication style (emails, calls) to partners' preferences. These steps foster respect, clarity, and genuine connection across languages. Reach out to Shakti Therapy to learn more!

Moreover I do kind of search over internet for culture differences between different locations and specially some of the words means different from location to another even they do speak the same language, in order to avoid any miss understanding or embarrassing moments.

Use emotional intelligence, actively listen, show empathy, and be mindful of cultural differences. Focus on clear and respectful communication, validate their perspectives, and adapt your tone to convey openness and sincerity. Building a rapport through patience and understanding will create mutual respect and trust.

It is not easy to be working with overseas partners, from different location, backgrounds and different mother tongue, there is a few tips in order to ensure messages are communicated correctly, summary of what was discussed in written common language (English) talk slowly and clear, and always confirm back. also personally I do prefer to have friendly calls (out of business) for general discussions in order to build a trust and a confident zone between team members for better understanding and easier communication also to break the ice out of work environment.

Start by understanding their language preferences and cultural nuances to avoid misinterpretation. Use simple, professional language, and confirm mutual understanding through paraphrasing. Be punctual in meetings and deliverables, showing respect for their time. Build rapport by acknowledging their contributions and maintaining transparency in decisions. Active listening, combined with empathy, helps demonstrate genuine intent. Leveraging tools like bilingual documents or interpreters can bridge language gaps effectively, fostering a collaborative and trustworthy relationship.