How do you communicate effectively in virtual and hybrid environments?

Establishing clear communication norms that respect various cultural nuances is a cornerstone of effective multicultural teamwork. These norms should prioritize the understanding and appreciation of diverse communication styles, including different approaches to directness, formality, deadlines and non-verbal cues. Encouraging open discussions about these cultural differences and providing guidelines for respectful interaction can help team members navigate potential misunderstandings. Moreover, actively seeking feedback from team members about their communication preferences and being willing to adapt to accommodate those preferences can create an inclusive environment where everyone feels heard and valued.

Communication is often about frequency. Do colleagues need to hear from you every day? If so, make sure that happens. Otherwise, assess the situation and deterrmine who needs to know what and when.

Dans un premier temps, il faut les étudier en comprenant comment ils fonctionnent. Comprendre le contexte c'est aussi ⮑ apprendre leur langue ⮑ connaître leurs coutumes ⮑ connaître les conséquences de ces coutumes ⮑ s'en faire des amis ⮑ consommer comme eux ⮑ comprendre leur multiplicité ethnique

In cross-cultural communication, choosing the right medium is crucial, especially when participants have different native languages. An email, while convenient, might not convey the subtleties of tone or intent, potentially leading to misunderstandings—even among speakers of the same language from different regions. When possible, complementing written communications with a follow-up phone or video call can significantly enhance understanding. Video calls, in particular, offer valuable visual cues that help gauge comprehension and emotional responses, providing insights that are essential for effective communication across cultures.

Una cosa que me ha resultado útil es tener siempre un plan alternativo en caso de dificultades técnicas. Esto podría incluir tener una herramienta de comunicación secundaria lista, como un número de teléfono para una llamada rápida si falla una videoconferencia. También es importante probar tu tecnología de antemano para asegurarte de que todo funcione sin problemas. Además, ten en cuenta los horarios y las diferencias culturales al programar reuniones, y sé flexible al adaptarte a las diferentes preferencias de medios de comunicación.

Another point to consider is to leverage both unofficial and official communication channels in virtual and hybrid environments. By combining messaging apps like WeChat or WhatsApp for quick, informal updates with more formal tools like video calls and emails, you can maintain efficiency while keeping things clear. This helps ensure real-time clarification while also documenting key decisions in official channels. It’s crucial to loop everyone in across all platforms to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that the entire team is aligned and moving forward at the same pace.

Utilizing interactive tools like Slido can help amplify voices that might otherwise remain silent. Through features like live polls and Q&A sessions, participants can actively contribute and share their thoughts, ensuring a more inclusive and dynamic discussion.

Avec des cultures de haut contexte, la visio cadrée peut être intéressante. (selon HALL, haut contexte signifie, dans les détails, dans la discussion, dans la communication non directe). Avec des cultures de bas contexte, l'email peut être préférable (Norvège, Suède, ...) soit un style écrit plus direct.

Webcams can make you appear more stoic than you typically are, because 2D video calls lack the depth perception we experience when speaking to someone in person. This can make you seem more serious, boring or annoyed than you actually are. Think back to your most recent Zoom call and you'll likely remember how many participants looked as if they were sitting for a dour passport photo, despite how they naturally smile when speaking in person! To counter this, it's important to be more expressive during virtual conversations. Bigger smiles, larger gestures and deeper nods add that missing human element to a virtual talk.

Being a UK native and having worked in the US and Australia it always amazes me how many idioms and phrases I use day-to-day that do not have the same, or any meaning, to colleagues. It's a case of learning from your mistakes and creating a culture of open dialogue where anyone, whoever they are in the organisation is comfortable raising what they're unsure of and what is unclear. If you're struggling with comms - why not write what you'd like to say into chatgpt (or a transcript of you speaking) and ask it to make it clearer by summarising the three key points?

Using clear and simple language is essential in virtual and hybrid settings across multilingual and international contexts. For instance, instead of saying, 'Let's circle back to this issue down the line,' say, 'Let’s discuss this issue again next time.' Avoid jargon and idiomatic expressions which may not translate well, and opt for short, unambiguous sentences. This straightforward communication minimizes misunderstandings and ensures clarity, making interactions smoother within a diverse, global team. It's a respectful acknowledgment of linguistic diversity, making communication more accessible.

Si tu apprends la langue de tes partenaires alors tu n'auras pas le choix que de parler avec un langage simple pour être sûr de ne pas raconter n'importe quoi.

Active listening is crucial in cross-cultural communication, it is also important to confirm your understanding, especially on critical issues. When in doubt, taking a moment to seek clarification can make all the difference. A simple phrase like, “If I may rephrase what you said, xxx, did I understand correctly?” helps ensure you’re aligned before moving forward. This not only prevents misunderstandings but also shows respect for the other person’s perspective, fostering trust and smoother collaboration.

It is also extremely helpful to keep minutes of a virtual or face-to-face meeting, since in cross-cultural environments a language barrier might often be a stumbling stone. Having minutes shared with everyone after a meeting may help avoid misunderstandings or confusions. Multiple AI-based tools are already there in the market to help you keep minutes in your preferred channel of communication.

When we're all on screens, it's easy to miss non-verbal cues. Active listening entails not just hearing words but also tuning in to the tone, emotions, and intentions behind them. Given the diverse backgrounds and communication styles present in multicultural teams, active listening helps decode potential cultural nuances in conversations. In virtual spaces, it's about being fully present during online meetings, asking clarifying questions, and acknowledging cultural differences without judgment.

Effective communication in virtual and hybrid environments relies on active and empathetic listening. Here are some crucial aspects for me: - Pay Full Attention by focusing on the speaker, avoiding distractions like emails and notifications. - Pay attention to the speaker's tone and emotions, acknowledging their feelings. - Be patient and supportive, allowing time for others to express themselves. -Use chat features, breakout rooms, and collaboration tools to enhance engagement. - After meetings, follow up with participants to show appreciation and summarize key points

Among the practical tips to implement this crucial advise, I find the following: - Wishing your vis-a-vis a good day/evening at the end of an interaction. - Paying attention to local holidays and celebrations and congratulating them accordingly (using comments such as "if you celebrate X". - Expressing clear gratitude for the patience and input of your vis-a-vis as it might often be a challenge for them too to adjust to your style of work.

As the Chief of Operations at Express Publishing, my commitment to open-mindedness and respect in cross-cultural communication has proven to be a cornerstone of success. By fostering a culture of understanding and inclusivity, you've not only enhanced teamwork but also strengthened the company's global presence and reputation. Your dedication to these principles continues to drive Express Publishing towards greater heights in the global publishing industry.

Having worked with some clients who practice online cross-cultural work with different offices all over the globe, I find crucial to support any possible full corporate collaboration to avoid the isolation of different offices. Such options include: 1. Organizing personal meetings of all the company at least once a year to do teambuilding and socialise in person. 2. Organise town halls where the representatives of different teams from different cultures may meet virtually and mingle. 3. Create space for virtual team building, where different offices may be responsible for knowledge sharing, edutainment or simple socialising and spreading the word about their local cultures and habits.

Find the right motivation! One can be motivated by on the job trainings, others can prefer workshops…Some just enjoy get together, others prefer to have a clean cut work-private life balance.

Leveraging AI and new technological tools can enhance communication in virtual and hybrid environments. Tools like Otter can transcribe the full content of video calls, identify what was said by whom, classify follow-up actions, and provide a central document to address misunderstandings. Combining this with accurate translation tools can improve understanding in cross-cultural environments, where participants may feel more comfortable in different languages. This approach improves coordination, communication, and goodwill, ensuring everyone is on the same page.

Don’t be afraid to give people different opportunities in the remote environment. I’ve seen over and over that a skill someone might master in-person or collaboratively in an on-site workplace might be difficult to transfer into the remote world. And that’s okay! Give them opportunities for lateral shifts, new responsibilities, new reframing of projects, etc. The remote environment is still being figured out, let your hard workers help you figure it out. Old establishment walls become very translucent, which can be a massive catalyst for growth. Give them space to roam and find solutions for the organization. It will pay dividends and communicate appreciation up and down the chain.