Developing Cultural Adaptability: How to Work Across Differences

Being able to communicate effectively across cultural differences, understanding how to negotiate complex social situations, and being familiar with the customs and norms of many cultures are important skills in organizations today. Perhaps even more important than possessing those essential pieces of cultural knowledge is the skill of cultural adaptability – the willingness and ability to recognize, understand, and work effectively across cultural differences. Proficiency in this area helps managers to build the relationships needed to achieve results in today’s global organizations, especiallywhen those relationships are forged across borders and cultures.