subject: The Challenges of International Collaboration - Us and Them [print this page] The Challenges of International Collaboration - Us and Them
Within our own culture we are provided with a code of behavior which we have a tendency to learn from infancy. This code covers basic values and beliefs together with attitudes towards different behaviors. There's right and wrong, skilled and unprofessional, respectful and disrespectful. Unfortunately there is no such thing as international etiquette that has led to several challenges for leaders operating in the world marketplace. When somebody begins to contemplate their behavior in an international context they instinctively look to their own norms as being the logical, acceptable ways of being. Sincerity is that the key to success, at least in the short term. Europeans, Asians and Americans meet regularly at business conferences and manage to avoid giving offense by being their honest, authentic selves. In the first stages of business relationships any dissonant behavior is usually considered a faux pas and will be "allowed", and even considered eccentric or charming. However it becomes a completely different story once people move into more lengthy negotiations or joint venture getting into into a collaborative partnership. Therefore ongoing business relationships can place nice stress on the tolerance of all parties as time goes by. eg the American habit of sprawling in chairs at business conferences might appear friendly and laid back to the British, however would place the Germans in constant state of unease. The Latin temperament, while participating at 1st for Northern Europeans (particularly the Finns and also the Swedes) will soon drive them up the wall. There is also a limit to how several cups of inexperienced tea a European can drink in any one day! Some things are easier to spot, handshaking or bowing, chocolates or flowers for the hostess and girls 1st are universally known but the deeper you delve into culture the more durable it gets. In order to create true international partnerships you need to induce underneath the skin of the natives, to peel back the membrane of the culture. It is essential that any international business traveller understands the necessary social norms, core beliefs and sensitivities and vitally what's strictly taboo. Thus what are some of the main etiquette gaffes which might cause offense and even a number of the additional minor ones that may cause embarrassment? Did you recognize: ? It's dangerous manners to point one's foot at an Arab in conversation or raise concerning the health of his womenfolk? ? Sending yellow flowers to a girl in some European countries might mean that she has been unfaithful to her husband? ? If you're left handed and eating in an Arab country you'll would like to inform the host beforehand as eating is reserved strictly for the proper hand as left handed tasks are for those of an unclean nature? ? Gifts are huge in Asia - conclude presents in red paper - white on the other hand is an unlucky color associated with death. Never strive to "outgift" a Japanese or Chinese you'll never win, extravagance on your part will solely end in escalating expense on theirs? ? In Russia, folks don't answer different people's telephones they solely let them ring and ring and ring...? ? In Thailand a pale face is a sign of beauty in a very lady so do not ask her if she is feeling unwell? ? In Malaysia it is taboo to purpose along with your index finger however you'll point with your thumb? ? In Indonesia the top is considered a sacred half of the body and ought to not be touched by another - it is additionally taboo for your head to be higher than a more senior person (which will lead to plenty of heads developing and down)? ? In Russia coats ought to not be worn indoors and it's bad kind to stand together with your hands in your pockets? The list goes on and can become even a lot of complex when status, leadership and organizations come back into play as they do when collaborating in international business partnerships. Cross cultural coaching is a vital half of any executives learning curve to ensure that they can breakthrough their own cultural black holes.
