A primary insight I have gained over time is that there is nothing more valuable than humility. What do I mean? Operating successfully in myriad cultural settings depends on one’s ability to understand and influence behaviour in unfamiliar situations. I have found that this is best achieved by not pre-judging or making groundless presumptions, but rather by being open and truly understanding the dynamics within a particular situation. Furthermore, it is important to understand the true meaning behind communicated messages from clients, business partners and colleagues. Being genuinely respectful towards cultural values and practices of others is another important factor. Many of my culture-related faux pas came about through working with a set of preconceived notions or being misguided by cultural stereotypes. I have experienced many times that listening and truly understanding would have been much more effective in handling those situations.

I recall more than one instance where I had put a solution on the table and it was met with seemingly unquestioning acceptance. Initially I had not recognised the silences or the indirect responses that hinted that I was some distance off the mark. Only later did I realise my colleagues did not share their concerns directly with me because of the reporting relationships we shared. If only I had done my homework and handled these encounters in a more considerate and thoughtful manner, the outcomes might have been more effective, not just in the short term but also in the long run.

Bearing this in mind, there is the question of whether being oversensitive to cross-cultural dynamics can be an impediment to getting things done. In matters like these, I firmly believe that it’s better to err on the side of good sense and to be “open” in the true spirit of the word. Personally experiencing such cultural diversity and richness in past working experiences has offered valuable insights and far outweighed any initial challenges faced.