Communication styles are different for people from different backgrounds. Here are a few frequently-noticed differences between Western and Indian team members:
- Indians engage in small talk less easily than their western counterparts. Some technical training courses actively discourage students from engaging in small talk in order to avoid embarrassing exchanges.
- Perception of time and schedules are different. When planning, Indian respondents typically do not include time to deal with any difficulties. Managers may need to probe to make sure contingencies have been forseen in the plan.
- People from the southern part of India use what is sometimes called the “Indian wiggle” in which the head is shaken side to side. This is frequently misinterpreted by westerners as indicating “no” (i.e., as in a western “head shake”), when it really indicates anything from “I agree” to “I hear you.”
- Indians frequently use a “wobbly yes” rather than saying “no.” Western managers need to watch for a less-than-firm “yes” and drill down if necessary.
These are all examples of differences in cultural norms. Unfortunately, it is all too easy to fall into the pattern of expecting that everyone else communicates the same way you do—after all, isn’t that what makes “sense?”
There are no rights and wrongs here, just differences. Managers need to learn to understand and value different team members from different cultures. And they need to set a tone within the group where people are not made to feel badly about who they are or where they live.
Folks are just folks. Technical people are, by and large, hard-working, dedicated people. It is not easy for anyone to achieve technical competence. Value your people, no matter what their background is. And make sure to promote a culture of respect and tolerance in your group.
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