Cross-Cultural Communication: Learning to Work, Together Beyond

Authors : 

1. Herdina Putri Pramayanti

2. Yuni Sari Amalia S.S., M.A., Ph.D

Nowadays, people from different countries often work together in one place. In offices, schools, and even online meetings. We can meet people who speak different languages and come from different cultural backgrounds. This makes our world more connected and interesting, but it can also bring many challenges. Like, many misunderstandings happen not because people are unkind, but because they see and express things differently. 

In multicultural teams, communication style often present a significant challenge. Some people speak directly and clearly, while others prefer to be quiet or use polite language. These differences do not mean one group is better than the other. They simply show how culture shapes the way we speak. 

In Western countries like the United States or Australia, people are taught to speak up and share their opinions directly. They believe that expressing ideas clearly shows confidence. However, in Asian cultures such as Indonesia, Japan, or Korea, people are taught to be humble and respectful. Talking too much or disagreeing openly can seem impolite. Because of this, Asian workers or students may stay quiet in group discussions even when they have good ideas.

This difference often causes confusion. For example, a Western manager might think an Indonesian employee has no ideas because they stay silent. But in reality, that employee is showing respect. On the other hand, the Indonesian worker might think the Western manager is rude because they speak too directly. Both sides mean well, but their ideas of politeness are not the same.

Another issue that often appears in cross-cultural communication is stereotyping. A stereotype is a simple belief about a group of people, but it does not represent everyone in that group. For example, people might say "Westerners are too loud," "Asians are shy," or "Indonesians are always late." These generalizations may sound harmless, but they are unfair and can create barriers. Not all Westerners are loud, and not all Asians are shy. Each person is unique.

Stereotypes can also affect how people are treated at work. According to Harvard Business Review (2022), Westerners are often seen as natural leaders because they are confident and quick to decide. Meanwhile, Asians are sometimes seen as followers who avoid taking risks. This assumption is not true. In many Asian countries, being a leader means keeping harmony and listening carefully to everyone before making a decision. Both leadership styles have strengths; they are just different.

Even something simple like time has a different meaning in different cultures. In Western countries, being on time is very important. If someone arrives late, it looks unprofessional. But in countries like Indonesia, time is often more flexible. People value relationships more than schedules. For example, if someone stops to help a friend before a meeting, they might be a few minutes late, but they see it as an act of kindness. A Western boss might not understand this at first, but it shows how culture affects priorities.