Cross Cultural Communication

Running Head: CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Cross-Cultural Communication: How Different Cultures Communicate and Its Effects on the Workplace
Damien Hawkins
Ashford University
Professor Benjamin Zuckerman
BUS600: Management Communications with Technology Tools
March 1, 2010

Cross-Cultural Communication: Its Emphasis in the American Workforce
Even in a country like America, where all people are believed to be created equal, it cannot be denied that different cultures communicate and express themselves differently. The way we talk, our facial gestures, and even our mannerisms can be particular to our background and the environment that we have grown in. When individuals of different cultures interact, previous experience may remind each person of what is appropriate or inappropriate in approaching someone else. Previous experience may even discourage interaction. However, it is hard complete daily tasks outside of the home, into the world, without coming across someone whose background is different. Having knowledge of different cultural interactions can be helpful in communicating with others whose background is different. Furthermore, cultural diversity and sensitivity can be beneficial for the workplace, thus promoting cross-cultural communication. This is vital, especially with businesses becoming more and more diverse. According to the article Managing Cultural Diversity authored by Dr. Pikay Richardson, the Hudson Institute reported that “the American workforce would be reshaped by issues around race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, and that the proper management of this diverse workforce would be a key priority, not because enterprises would become kinder or gentler but because their very survival would depend on it.” Workforces have to respond to diversity by emphasizing cross-cultural communication. To begin, there has to be an understanding of how cultures communicate differently.
How Cultures Communicate Differently
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