People get caught in the trap of thinking that there is one right way to do things and everything else is wrong.
Closed-mindedness is a barrier to #crosscultural communication unlike any other. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that our viewpoint is “normal” and how others are doing things is “different”.
Hence, understanding the other side and making an effort to do so is the crucial first step. Being open minded can help one better understand why other people are behaving in the way that they do and can prevent distrust which escalates conflict.
Being more open-minded can sometimes be as simple as learning more about an idea that you wouldn’t have considered otherwise. It can also have an impact on how you make decisions moving forward because making the effort to understand others also exposes you to new viewpoints.
@Tomas Kucera, the multilingual international business development consultant, shared with us his story in #Shanghai about how he handled a misunderstanding with a fellow traveller on the subway by putting himself in her shoes, making an effort to allay her fears and opening a line of communication right away.
You can watch the video to hear his experience in his own words.
So, next time you want to #bridge differences , remember, all #cultures are #perspectives. Not one is more correct than the other.
About the Speaker:
Mr. Tomas Kucera is a multilingual international business development consultant, currently based in Shanghai. He is originally from Czech Republic and brought up in the US. His career includes serving the World Bank, one of the most culturally diverse organisations in the world. He is currently working for Shanghai Foreign Service Group, FSG, the largest HR and Corporate Services company in China. His mission is to help companies bridge the vast business and cultural divide so they can succeed in China. He speaks Czech, English and Mandarin.