How can Administrative Assistants build relationships with people in other countries?

1 Learn about their culture

One of the first steps to build relationships with people in other countries is to learn about their culture. Culture influences how people communicate, behave, and perceive things. By doing some research, you can avoid misunderstandings, respect their values and norms, and show interest in their background. For example, you can learn about their greetings, etiquette, holidays, customs, and preferences. You can also ask them questions and listen to their stories to learn more about their culture.

2 Use appropriate communication tools

Another important aspect of building relationships with people in other countries is to use appropriate communication tools. Depending on the situation, you may have to use different methods, such as email, phone, video call, chat, or social media. You should choose the tool that suits the purpose, frequency, and formality of your communication. For example, you can use email for formal and detailed messages, phone for urgent and personal matters, video call for meetings and presentations, chat for quick and informal exchanges, and social media for networking and sharing updates.

3 Adapt to their communication style

When you communicate with people in other countries, you should also adapt to their communication style. Communication style refers to how people express themselves, give feedback, make requests, and handle conflicts. Different cultures may have different communication styles, such as direct or indirect, formal or informal, high-context or low-context, and emotional or rational. By adapting to their communication style, you can avoid confusion, frustration, and offense. For example, you can match their tone, pace, and level of detail, use appropriate language and gestures, and respect their preferences and boundaries.

4 Be respectful and polite

Another tip to build relationships with people in other countries is to be respectful and polite. Respect and politeness are universal values that can help you establish trust, rapport, and goodwill with your counterparts. You can show respect and politeness by using proper titles and names, saying thank you and sorry, acknowledging their contributions and achievements, apologizing for any inconvenience or mistake, and following up on your commitments and promises.

5 Appreciate diversity and differences

The last tip to build relationships with people in other countries is to appreciate diversity and differences. Diversity and differences are not obstacles, but opportunities to learn, grow, and collaborate. By appreciating diversity and differences, you can show openness, curiosity, and flexibility. You can also benefit from different perspectives, insights, and experiences. For example, you can celebrate their festivals and traditions, ask for their opinions and feedback, share your own culture and stories, and embrace new challenges and opportunities.

6 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?