Close Sidebar close
    • Home
    • About Me
    • Training
    • Blog
    • Contact me

Follow me

    • Home
    • About Me
    • Training
    • Blog
    • Contact me
    • Uncategorized

    The two step

    Sunday, June 1st, 2014
    Image Source: mathbootcamps.com

    Usually the “two-step” refers to a dance that resembles a basic shuffle from side to side. It’s probably the favourite dance move of anyone who can’t dance (I am one of those…unless there is Bollywood music or a bush dance, in which case everyone is obliged to let all inhibitions go and have fun). My very limited experience with choreographed dance was mostly for preparation for my first dance with my husband at our wedding. And what I learnt from that is that you need to know the basics, before you can move on to elaborate twirls and strides.

    It’s the same with a lot of things in life, you need to know the basics first.
    So what are the basics of cross-cultural communication?
    One way to break it down is in “two steps”:
    1. Acquire specific cultural knowledge.
    This is about researching the country you are going to, or the cultural traits of those you are working with, or whatever cross cultural situation you are in. For example, knowing the eating habits, cultural dress, taboo conversation topics to avoid and the like.
    2. Developing general awareness and skills
    This is about acquiring the ability to be flexible and adapt to new situations, even when you don’t know the specific cultural nuances (e.g. If you’ve skipped step 1 or weren’t able to do it). Resilience, listening skills, giving effective feedback and patience often fall into this category.
    Really both of the above need to occur in conjunction with each other, in order for a solid foundation of cross-cultural communication, or for our collaborative bridges, to be built.
    I like to cover both areas in this blog, so keep an eye out for future posts and see which part of the two-step they fall into.
    Happy dancing 🙂
    no responses

    You Might Also Like

    Cross-cultural Website

    New Website

    Tuesday, November 14th, 2017

    Happy International Literacy Day!

    Thursday, September 7th, 2017

    Time for our pollies to embrace the multicultural heritage they support

    Thursday, August 17th, 2017

    no responses

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About Me

  I am passionate about helping people learn about other cultures and increasing their cross-cultural awareness and skills. I want people to see the possibilities that...
Read More

Follow me

Latest Posts

  • Lessons I learned from my Hindi challenge

    Monday, March 23rd, 2020
  • Learning Hindi in 90 days?

    Friday, March 20th, 2020
  • Famous last words…

    Monday, March 2nd, 2020

TAG CLOUD

Albaniaappappreciationassumptionsasylum seekersattitudesAustraliaauthorityavoid hot waterawarenessbabiesbamboo ceilingbasicsbeautybenefitsbody languagebook reviewbookreviewbridgebusinesschallengeschangecheck the factsChildrenchocolatechoiceChristiancleanlinesscollaboratecollaborationcollaborative bridgecommunicationcommunitycompassioncompromiseconflictconsequencescross-culturalcultureculture shockcurrencyDiscoveryDiversitydragonsgoatssheepdrivingEasterelephantintheroomemotionsempathyenjoy the little thingsexchangeexcitedexperienceeye contactfactorfamilyfestivalfoodframe of referencefriendsfunGermanygiftsglobalisationgoalsgolden ruleGreeceharmonyhilariousHindihintsholidayshopehot potatoeshuman rightsiceberg modelideaidentityimmersioninfluenceinspirationinterruptJapanJet lagjobsjournaljourneylanguageleadershiplearninglisteningLiveyourpassionlost in translationmarriagemeetingsmetaphorscanonlygosofarmini rantmissionmissionariesmoneymoviesmyer briggsnew yearnewsnormalopportunitiespassionPeacepersonalityperspectivephotospoliticspositivepossibilitiesPower distancepractical experienceput yourself in their shoesquick tipreconciliationreflectionrefugeesreligionresearchresolutionresourceresumesreunionsreviewroutinesaving faceshareshoppingskillsspidersportstarfishstatussymbolsteamworktechnologytimetooltraffictragedytrainingtraveltrusttvuniversevoluntourismwaitweddingyayyes/no

Archive

©2017. Collaborative Bridges - All Rights Reserved.