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.

A story from The Jakarta Post (2023) shows this clearly. An Indonesian employee once came to a meeting five minutes late because she was helping a coworker finish a task. Her foreign boss was upset because he saw punctuality as a sign of discipline. But after talking, he understood her reason and realized that in her culture, teamwork and helping others are also forms of responsibility. This small story shows how communication and empathy can solve cultural misunderstandings.

Emotions are also expressed differently across cultures. In some Western societies, showing emotion is seen as being honest. People are encouraged to say what they feel because it builds trust. In contrast, in many Asian cultures, showing strong emotion at work is seen as unprofessional. People prefer to stay calm even when they feel angry or disappointed. For instance, a Western person might raise their voice to show urgency, while an Indonesian person might interpret that as anger. Both sides are simply expressing themselves based on what feels natural in their culture.

These differences are not problems, but they are part of what makes human communication interesting. But to work together successfully, people need to understand and adapt. This does not mean changing who we are. It means learning how others think and adjusting our communication so everyone feels comfortable.

The digital world also adds new layers to cross-cultural communication. Many teams now work through email, video calls, or chat apps. Here, tone and wording can be misunderstood easily. Western people often write short and direct messages, such as:

"Please send the report by tomorrow."

To them, it sounds clear and efficient. But for Asian readers, it may sound cold or unfriendly. Meanwhile, Indonesians often begin messages with greetings and polite sentences, like:

"Hello, how are you? I hope you're doing well."

For Western coworkers, this may feel too long or unnecessary. Neither is wrong, they just show different ways of being polite.

The Guardian (2023) explains that companies with international teams often face this problem. However, those that provide cultural training for employees have better teamwork and fewer conflicts. When people understand cultural differences, they can avoid judging others too quickly and find better ways to communicate.

One example comes from a company in Jakarta that had a Dutch manager and Indonesian staff. The manager liked open discussions and often asked for feedback during meetings, but no one spoke. He thought his team did not care about their work. Later, the HR department gave a workshop on cultural communication. The manager learned that in Indonesia, employees often avoid giving direct criticism to their boss because it feels disrespectful. After learning this, the manager changed his approach. Instead of saying "Tell me what's wrong," he asked, "Do you have any suggestions?" This small change made a big difference. The team started to share ideas, and their relationship improved.

From this, we can see that cultural awareness is essential. It helps prevent small misunderstandings from becoming big problems. When people take time to learn how others communicate, they can build stronger and more respectful connections.

Outside of workplaces, cultural stereotypes also spread through social media. Many people share jokes or memes about other nationalities. Some may be funny, but others can hurt feelings. Jokes like "Asians are bad drivers" or "Westerners don't care about family" may sound harmless, but they continue negative ideas that create division. We should be careful about what we post or share online. It is easy to make fun of another culture, but it is harder to truly understand it.

Learning about cultures helps us grow as people. It teaches us that our way is not the only way. Every culture has both strengths and weaknesses, and we can learn from each other. Western people can learn about Asian patience and respect, while Asians can learn about Western confidence and openness. When these qualities combine, teamwork becomes stronger and more balanced.

Working with people from different backgrounds will always bring challenges. Sometimes we might say something that sounds rude without meaning to, or we might misunderstand someone's behavior. But what matters most is our willingness to learn. Saying, "I'm sorry, I didn't know," or "Can you explain that to me?" shows humility and respect. These small gestures can build trust and solve conflicts quickly.

In the end, cultural diversity is not something to fear, but  it is something to appreciate. Every culture brings new lessons, values, and ways of thinking that make our world richer. Cross-cultural communication teaches us patience, empathy, and open-mindedness. It helps us see that our own habits and beliefs are not the only "right" way to live.

Stereotypes and misunderstandings will always exist, but they can be reduced through awareness and respect. The key is not to avoid differences but to learn from them. When people listen more and judge less, they can turn cultural gaps into opportunities for connection.

In workplaces, schools, and online communities, understanding each other's backgrounds creates harmony. It makes teams more creative, friendships stronger, and communication smoother. Culture should never divide people, it should bring them together.

So, instead of focusing on how different we are, we should focus on what we can learn from one another. When we practice respect and curiosity, we build a bridge that connects us all. In the end, no matter where we come from, we all share the same dream  to be understood, respected, and valued as human beings.