Key practices to help you get the most out of your cross-cultural interactions

I was very fortunate that right from the beginning, my work at HP gave me an opportunity to interact with people from very diverse nationalities and cultures. Speaking to them often?revealed interesting insights into how different the norms and rules were within HP itself.?

Here are some of my key learnings.

There’s nothing quite like being able to speak in someone’s native language.?Most of us use English as the go-to-communication tool in our professional lives. Even so, the ease and relaxation that a person experiences when talking in their native tongue is incomparable. Plus, the pleasure of hearing someone at least trying to say something in your language always generates a smile. Just think about the “good evening” and “thank you” said in a country’s native language when your favorite rock band is trying to build a rapport with the audience! It’s the same in any office interaction.??

I had once attended a large workshop in our EMEA headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland where around thirty leaders were trying to reach a consensus. Now it’s difficult enough to reach a conclusion between just two or three people with divergent objectives, let alone thirty! What I found really impressive was how huge an asset being multilingual could be. Leaders who spoke multiple languages and were able to converse with ease with others from different nationalities were at a distinct advantage in endorsing their cause and influencing mindsets. They approached the other participants in smaller groups or on a one-to-one basis, fully utilizing the language advantage to build coalitions.?

I still remember something one of my team members from Japan had once told me. She’d said that if she could have a superpower, it would be the ability to speak all languages! If you think about it, it’s definitely a skill that could help us open doors and build a deeper communication with people, no matter where we may be.?

And if you’re only proficient in English, just take the rock star approach and at least localize your “hello” and “thank you”! You’ll get extra points for trying. But ask a local person to translate for you, not Google.

A second key learning I’d like to share is that being mindful and aware of the other person’s context can help you in establishing a common ground.?My second project in HP offered me the chance to travel to twenty different countries across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. As part of the project, I had to conduct discovery sessions with country stakeholders, facilitating face-to-face workshops where the end goal was to reach a sign-off from all. While the materials prepared for the workshops were the same, every session elicited very different reactions according to local flavors. They revealed varied leadership dynamics and decision-making processes in each market. These were influenced both by the different market needs, and the local culture.

Being a part of this project made me realize how important it was for all of us to be aware of the local context, to collaborate towards a common objective. It also helped me understand the value of flexibility and cooperation in overcoming local challenges.?

A third learning is to avoid any cultural gaffes by doing your research beforehand.?

Culture can have a big influence on how we interact. When I meet my team members or colleagues, no matter where they may be from, my first instinct is to give them a hug. But the fact is that this may not be culturally appropriate everywhere or for everyone.?

Leaving aside the current necessity to social distance, people from different cultures are comfortable with different social norms. Some may shake hands, others may kiss on the cheek or even on both cheeks! Not being aware of what’s acceptable to someone else may cause embarrassment. Being informed and respectful of the cultural differences around us can make the interactions more intentional and meaningful. Practicing empathy and understanding can be done in any situation – whether on a vacation in a foreign country, on a business trip or even during a virtual conference.

We should also remember to keep an open mind in our cross-cultural exchanges instead of basing our perceptions on stereotypes. If you do that, you’ll no longer see things in black and white. Instead, you’ll discover a world of color.?

With these key learnings in mind, as a mother, I want to make sure that my children get a multicultural exposure. That they get a chance to interact with people from different nationalities, and are exposed to various customs and languages, so that they can ultimately grow up to be more than global citizens, but global human beings.

Miruna Scrima

Global Automation & Peripherals Operations lead at HP Inc.

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