Training Industry Magazine - Fall 2023 - 37

cultural contexts within hybrid settings
requires a heightened ability to navigate
digital communication nuances, interpret
nonverbal cues through screens and
build trust and understanding across
physical and virtual spaces.
How to Do This in Hybrid
Work Environments?
* Enhance your team's cultural
intelligence. Learn how to decode
interactions to identify the impact of
cultural diversity on behavior. Use
communication and work preference
mapping and pinpoint nuances that
might
lead
to
misunderstandings
and conflicts - and thus affect
performance. Are these the same in
in-person and remote settings? What
opportunities for enhancement does
this create?
* Develop open-mindedness and
empathy. Train your team to actively
listen to one another during discussions,
ensuring that everyone's perspectives
are heard and acknowledged to foster
deeper empathy and connection.
Encourage team members to take their
time in explaining their viewpoints and to
be patient when seeking to understand
others. Create an environment where
questions are encouraged and insights
are valued.
* Build skills in adapting to different
work preferences. Adapt the structure
and format of meetings to reflect cultural
norms. This may include allocating time
for informal discussions or allowing for
more structured decision-making. Tailor
communication styles to align with
diverse
cultural
preferences. Adjust
tone, directness, and use of formalities
based on the target audience's comfort
zones.
Proactively confront biases,
particularly in virtual interactions,
addressing potential misunderstandings
that may arise due to the limitations of
remote communication.
* Highlight the value of learning
from misunderstandings or
miscommunications that may arise
due to cultural differences. These
experiences provide insights and
contribute to the team's growth in cultural
agility. Facilitate reflective discussions,
3 Strategies for Successful Hybrid Intercultural
Collaboration and Communication
* Explore cultural identity to navigate beyond
nationality and assumptions.
* Cultivate fairness and mitigate biases through
inclusive practices.
* Develop cultural agility for effective collaboration.
providing a safe space for individuals to
share their perspectives, experiences,
and cultural influences that may have
contributed to the miscommunication.
By openly exploring the factors that led
to the misunderstanding, teams can
gain deeper insights into each other's
cultural nuances and communication
preferences. Encourage a
growth
mindset within the team to foster
an environment where individuals
view challenges, including cultural
differences, as chances for personal
and collective development.
Moving Forward
These three core strategies combined
create a strong foundation for
successful intercultural collaboration and
communication in hybrid work settings.
TRAINING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE - FALL 2023 I WWW.TRAININGINDUSTRY.COM/MAGAZINE
As hybrid work continues to shape the
modern landscape, embracing these
principles ensures a thriving, inclusive and
culturally adept future for organizations,
teams and individuals.
And remember to celebrate success
stories
can
inspire
other
teams
and individuals to adopt a similar
approach, fostering a culture of
embracing cultural diversity as a driver
of innovation and growth.
Kate Sullivan is global head of services
and talent at British Council's Corporate
English Solutions. With more than 20
years of experience in leading highperforming
global,
cross-cultural,
cross-functional
teams, she drives
talent, thought leadership and learning
initiatives to success. Email Kate.
37
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