Enhancing Your Ability to Succeed in a Global Marketplace
New certificate in cross-cultural communication
While communication has always been necessary to be successful in business, it has never been more important than it is now. "In today's global business environment it is essential for you to understand the nuances and essential components of communication across the languages and cultures in which you work", says Karen Tucker, director of the Georgia Tech Language Institute. "It is an essential skill that crosses all industries and markets."
As international economies become more connected, and we grow closer to realizing the “global economy,” communication has become more complex and all the more indispensable. As we navigate the increasingly global future of work, and especially as automation is creating a larger demand for uniquely human skills, effective cross-cultural communication is quickly becoming the most essential skill for the modern professional.
Out of this need, the Cross-Cultural Communication for Professionals (C3P) Certificate was created by the Georgia Tech Language Institute. Specifically targeted for non-native but proficient English speakers, the C3P Certificate teaches one how to communicate effectively within the unwritten social and cultural codes of the English language. Whether you are pitching a groundbreaking proposal to clients or simply writing a follow-up email, the concepts in this course will help you improve your effectiveness in communicating those messages.
While proficiency may be sufficient, learning how to communicate effectively between your preconceived cultural assumptions and the assumptions of the English language will give you newfound confidence as you navigate the workplace. "How you show empathy, feedback, or criticism, for example, varies greatly from culture to culture," says Kim Rosero, instructor, Georgia Tech Language Institute. How you approach hierarchy also differs: Americans, for example, tend to flatten relationships in order to achieve a sense of equality or commonality, while other cultures do not.
Gestures, another essential part of non-verbal communication, also have extremely different implications across different cultures. Failing to consider these differences will lead to misunderstanding and conflict. "Without an understanding of these subtler types of communication, one is bound to inadvertently create misunderstandings or conflict, negatively impacting relationships and ultimately leading to poor business outcomes," says Katherine Samford, an instructor with Georgia Tech Language Institute.
As you adapt to working in a second culture and language, understanding these unique customs is vital to not only find and secure your place in the workforce but crucial to building long-term success in your career.
Learning the distinctions of English communication from a global perspective will not only help you avoid conflict but will also set you apart with cutting-edge skills in a rapidly evolving and expanding economy. The C3 Certificate allows you to expand on your human skills as you learn to understand yourself and others more fully, a sought-after trait in an economy increasingly dominated by machines and automation. Learning about an unfamiliar culture will allow you to learn more about your own, and as you bridge the gap between others and yourself, you will become more supportive, productive, and efficient.
If you’d like to improve your cross-cultural communication skills, visit the certificate page for more information.
Fostering Meaningful Connections in a Global Workplace
