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Implicit and Explicit Communication & Understanding within Cultures

By Ibrahim François

17/08/2020

Introduction

Intro

• Cultural diversity in and of itself is important

• Effective communication and understanding also

-With business partners and service providers

-In our personal lives also

• Adapting with others is not necessarily easy

• Rules exist to communication: Implicit or Explicit

Quick

Definitions

Implicit and Explicit Communication within Cultures

• Implicit: Suggested though not directly expressed

• Explicit: Stated directly, clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion or doubt

• Communication: Imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium

• Implicit Communication: Use of facial expressions, body language, gestures, postures or vocal qualities to help get a message across

• Explicit Communication: “Do this!”, “Do that!”

Definitions

New Concept

Framework

• A helpful framework to intercultural communication

→ High and Low Context Cultures

• First discussed by Edward T. Hall

• No culture is completely high-context or low-context

High-Context Culture Definition

High-Context Culture

• One in which the rules of communication are primarily transmitted through the use of contextual elements and are not explicitly stated

• Usually people will tend to have close relationships that last for an extended period of time

• Members know what the rules are, how to think, and how to behave

Characteristics of High-Context Cultures

• Primarily use non-verbal methods to relay meaningful information in conversations, such as facial expressions, eye movement, and tone of voice

• The situation, people, and non-verbal elements are more important than the actual words that are communicated

• People are comfortable standing close to each other

• The preferred way of solving problems and learning is in groups

• Members of the culture place emphasis on interpersonal relationships

• Trust must be developed before business transactions can begin

Characteristics of High-Context Cultures

Examples

Some High-Context Cultures

• Japan and other countries located in Asia

• Brazil and other countries located in South America

• African tribal groups and most countries located in Africa

• A majority of the Middle East, including Iraq and Iran

• France, Spain and more

Low-Context Culture

Low-Context Culture

• In which information is communicated primarily through language and rules are explicitly spelled out

• Individual achievements are valued higher than group accomplishments

• Privacy and having a personal space are valued

Characteristics of Low-Context Cultures

Defining Low-Context Culture

• Less skilled at interpreting unspoken messages, as they are used to a more direct style of communication

• Importance on punctuality and schedules (Mono-chronic)

• “To the point” and tend to want to directly express wants, needs and expectations, and presume others will do the same

• They value efficiency and want to always do things in the most organized and practical manner

Examples

Some Low-Context Cultures

• The United States of America

• Canada

• Germany

• Switzerland

• Australia and more

Altogether

When High-Context communicates with Low-Context

Communicate Better

=> Misunderstandings generally occur when exchanging information

-Impression of a lack of information for low-context culture individuals

-Large amount of information is provided in a non-verbal manner

Improve

Tips for more effective communication

Low-Context Culture

• Be straightforward

Don't beat around the bush

• Be careful of certain bad habits

Be organized and take precautions to be punctual

• Be conscious of the things you say

Don't expect the other party to figure things out

• Make implicit messages explicit

Don't rely on the context to give meaning to what you have to say

High-Context Culture

• Be patient

A business lunch can sometimes even turn into a dinner

• Be conscious of your body language

Non-verbal cues are much more important than we might think in intercultural communication

• Engage in small talk

Take the time to build trust

• Don’t make implicit messages explicit

Rarely necessary to make implicit messages, that can be understood by context or common sense, explicit

• Use a flexible approach

Role-Play

  • 3 different scenarios between an employee and his manager: Dawei and Gary

  • Pay close attention to the context and listen well to what is said

  • Get the opportunity to give your feedback upon your preferred way

Role-play

Scenario 1

Employee from a high-context culture and a clueless manager

Scenario 2

Manager from a high-context culture and an employee from a low-context culture

Scenario 3

Trying to balance things out this time

Outtakes

Lessons

Summary

Case 1: Good things were being said but didn't match the body language

Case 2: Good things were implied but nothing was even said

Case 3: Good things were said and the body language was matching the content

If you're dealing with someone:

  • From a high-context culture, adapt your approach!

  • From a low-context culture, adapt your approach!

  • Whose cultural context you're unaware of, adapt your approach!

  • Use a friendly yet professional body language and make a wise choice of your words

Conclusion

• Communicating with everyone the same way is a sure-fire way to fail at communication

• Understanding the afore-mentioned framework can help improve communication

• Application is bi-faceted

• “…We are one big planet. A world somewhat divided, but we’re one… we are one!”

End

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