What impact can this simple exchange have on a newly developing cross-cultural relationship?

I have an American colleague who is easygoing, friendly, and wants to build trust with her associates in France. On a recent conference call, she noticed that she was often addressed by her surname.  “It felt stiff and strange,” she said, “and even a bit unfriendly. Is there anything I do to fix this?”

The first step is knowing that a communication gap like this can often be attributed to cultural preference. I have no doubt my friend’s colleagues are just as interested in building trust with her as she is with them. But different communication approaches can lead to misperceptions, and a slow start at establishing a meaningful business relationship.

Cultures that have a preference for Formal Communication, like France, follow strict rules about forms of address, especially based on age and status.  Use of a first name is by invitation only, and highly dependent of whom you are addressing. Children are taught from a young age that questioning or disagreeing with authority is not acceptable, and this attitude permeates well into adult life.

Informal Communication orientation cultures, like the United States, use more flexibility in how you address others.  Use of a person’s first name comes with ease and is expected in return. Expressing an opinion or questioning a decision regardless of power or authority is acceptable. Reticence in this behavior can be perceived as reluctance, and even negativity.

Another cultural preference that can influence business relationships is Power Distance. Renowned social psychologist Dr. Geert Hofstede defines Power Distance as the extent to which less powerful members of organizations accept an unequal distribution of power.

Cultures with a Hierarchical orientation are formal, with a top down approach. The person with power has the solutions. Subordinates rely on managers for direction. Employees are expected to complete tasks as directed, and the powerful are entitled to privileges.  You will find that you have to assert more positional authority in order to achieve results.

Cultures with a Participative orientation are more informal. Ideas and suggestions can come from any organizational level. Subordinates are expected to be consulted, and they participate in decision making.  There are fewer levels of management with a matrix structure. Completed work depends on collaboration, and employees have equal say. In general, it is more important to get the work done than it is to go through appropriate channels.

The impact of Power Distance can be significant unless you are aware of the potential for communication gaps in doing business, and what you can do to close them.

Here are a few tips for a Participative-oriented manager working in a Hierarchical culture from Catherine Mercer Bing’s book Many Cultures, One Team: Build Your Cultural Repertoire.

1.  Leverage the Power Position of senior management to drive projects, make introductions and connections, and communicate expectations.

2.  When dealing with change, tell subordinates what to do differently.  Do not leave it to them to figure out.

3.  Use legitimate power to exercise authority.

4.  Use an approach with higher-ups that is perceived as a “help me understand” posture.

5.  Use the proper organizational channels.

6.  Respect the formality of the hierarchy.

What are your own personal cultural preferences? What are the preferences in the countries and cultures where you are building business relationships? Find out by visiting the Culture Coach Online and completing your Cultural Profile Questionnaire.

Click here to request access.

Written by Diane McGreal, Living Abroad Cultural Advisor

How many hours a day do you spend looking down at paperwork, or into a screen? Optometrists recommend a 20-20-20 rule to ease eye strain: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Stretches and exercises are helpful to relieve neck, shoulder, hand, and back fatigue.

Taking a brisk walk can be even more restorative. But now that half the earth – and most of its population – is experiencing shorter days and weak sunlight, getting outside tends to be a dim proposition.

So why not take in the night sky? This December, Jupiter and Saturn will be visible to us as close as they have been in 400 years. On December 21, a telescope or binoculars will show you the two largest planets side by side, with their moons. Bundle up, find a place away from ambient light, and take in the beauty of what my family likes to call ‘sky jewelry.’

For general stargazing, Travel & Leisure maps out the 10 best spots in seven countries around the world: Chile, Costa Rica, France, Japan, South Africa, Sweden, and the United States (Utah, Hawaii, New Mexico, California).

Of course, even during our short days, the sky offers no shortage of breathtaking views, some of the most gorgeous of which recently have been at sunrise: a bank of clouds creating a literal silver line as the sun rises behind it. One morning was so foggy that the rising sun looked like a fireball throwing off flames.

Clouds are their own sources of astounding artistry. They can be dramatic, forbidding, peaceful, or present us with a story-book tableau that looks like a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream pint. To quote a character in Swedish mystery writer Kjell Eriksson’s “The Cruel Stars of the Night:”

“I collect clouds,” Lars-Erik said and leaned forward, looking up at the sky. “It is like an enormous art exhibition. I like to stand out in my yard and watch nature give me fresh exhibitions every day, and to top it off it’s free. Have you ever thought about how the sky can give rise to the most unbelievable formations?”

As 2020 draws to a close and we await a COVID-19 vaccine, may the simple splendor of our natural world provide some peace and beauty, even in the dark.