Last updated on Jul 1, 2024

Here's how you can enhance career communication by building a diverse network.

In today's interconnected world, your career success is often tied to how effectively you communicate across cultures. Enhancing your career communication isn't just about speaking multiple languages or knowing international etiquette; it's about building a diverse network that broadens your perspective and understanding. A diverse network can provide insights into different cultural norms and business practices, making you a more competent and adaptable professional. By actively seeking out and nurturing relationships with individuals from various backgrounds, you can develop cultural competency—a skill that's increasingly valuable in the global marketplace.

1 Embrace Diversity

To start enhancing your career communication, embrace diversity in your network. This means going beyond your comfort zone and connecting with people from different industries, cultures, and backgrounds. Such diversity can challenge your preconceived notions and introduce you to new ideas, which is crucial for personal growth. By engaging with a varied group, you'll gain a broader understanding of the world, which can translate into more effective communication strategies in your career. Remember, diversity isn't just about ticking boxes; it's about genuinely valuing different perspectives and learning from them.

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Menal Bokhari

MBA Candidate at Georgetown University McDonough School of Business | Forté Fellow
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Figure out what diversity means to you, why you stand for it, and instances of your interactions with a diverse network. When you speak with people outside your network, you’re likely to reassess your preconceived notions, update them, and learn from the experience. It's important to go with an open mind and be open to listening. Rather than listening to respond, listen to understand. Ask questions, because although we come from different backgrounds, we all have so much to learn from each other.

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Yuen Toh

GP Partner, Clinical Director, Lead Pharmacist- passionate about improving people and systems.
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Take a deep breath, step back and evaluate your network, conversations and even books that you are reading. Is it filled with diversity of mind, opinions, backgrounds? If not, then be curious and ask questions. If yes, good start, how can you do better? When you listen to more different perspective, you get better at looking at your blind spots and be more inclusive.

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2 Active Listening

Active listening is a key component of effective communication, especially when building a diverse network. It requires full concentration and understanding of the speaker's message, beyond just the words spoken. By actively listening, you show respect for the speaker's background and viewpoint, fostering stronger connections. This skill is particularly important when interacting with people from different cultures as it helps avoid misunderstandings and builds trust. So, when you're conversing with someone from a different background, focus on listening intently and asking clarifying questions to ensure you fully grasp their perspective.

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Varvara Alderman, MBA

Digital Marketing | Account Management | Project Management | Qualitative Research
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Building a diverse network can enrich your perspective. It's easy to think you're right when yours is the only point of view you've been exposed to. To build a diverse network, try to attend professional workshops, networking events, or conferences and speak with people from different backgrounds. If you reside in a more homogenous environment, go online and create a virtual diverse network of colleagues.

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Yuen Toh

GP Partner, Clinical Director, Lead Pharmacist- passionate about improving people and systems.
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What you hear and what I think you heard might be 2 polar opposites. We are good at listening to reply but less so at listening to understand. Try listening intently to someone and give yourself 8 seconds pause to digest and then reply, it will change the experience of both the listener and speaker.

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3 Cultural Literacy

To communicate effectively in a diverse network, you must develop cultural literacy. This means understanding the different cultural contexts that shape how people think, act, and communicate. It's not enough to know the do's and don'ts of a culture; you need to understand the underlying values and beliefs. This knowledge will help you tailor your communication style to be more effective and respectful. For example, some cultures value directness while others prefer a more subtle approach. Understanding these nuances can prevent miscommunication and enhance your professional interactions.

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4 Open Dialogue

Encourage open dialogue within your network. This involves creating a safe space where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences. An open dialogue can lead to a deeper understanding of the diverse perspectives within your network. It also allows for the exchange of best practices and innovative ideas that can improve your career communication. When you facilitate conversations that embrace diversity, you not only learn from others but also contribute to an inclusive environment that values everyone's input.

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Yuen Toh

GP Partner, Clinical Director, Lead Pharmacist- passionate about improving people and systems.
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When you are having an open dialogue, remember to keep an eye out for those who are in the shadows. I mean those who might not speak in a meeting, those who might feel uncomfortable doing it in a group etc. Make sure you proactively include those people in conversation by opening the floor up for their thoughts/opinions and appreciating the courage for them to do so.

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5 Feedback Loop

Implementing a feedback loop is essential for continuous improvement in your communication skills. Seek feedback from your diverse network about how you're communicating. Are you being clear and respectful? Are there cultural nuances you're missing? Feedback can come in many forms—direct comments, observations, or even non-verbal cues. Paying attention to this feedback and adjusting your approach accordingly is a powerful way to enhance your communication skills and ensure that your messages are being effectively conveyed across cultural boundaries.

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Yuen Toh

GP Partner, Clinical Director, Lead Pharmacist- passionate about improving people and systems.
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Don't expect to be told what you need to improve on, ASK! Ask for feedback, take it on graciously and learn to adapt. Apologise if you get it wrong and admit that you are learning. You will be surprised how open people are (even when they are hurt) when they see accountability in others.

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6 Lifelong Learning

Finally, recognize that building cultural competency is a journey of lifelong learning. The world is always changing, and so are cultural dynamics. Stay curious and committed to expanding your knowledge and understanding of different cultures. Attend workshops, read books, or even travel to immerse yourself in new environments. The more you learn, the better equipped you'll be to communicate effectively in your diverse network. Your dedication to continual learning will not only benefit your career but also enrich your personal life.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Here's how you can enhance career communication by building a diverse network.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Embrace Diversity

2 Active Listening

3 Cultural Literacy

4 Open Dialogue

5 Feedback Loop

6 Lifelong Learning

7 Here’s what else to consider

Cultural Competency

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Here's how you can enhance career communication by building a diverse network.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Embrace Diversity

2 Active Listening

3 Cultural Literacy

4 Open Dialogue

5 Feedback Loop

6 Lifelong Learning

7 Here’s what else to consider

Cultural Competency

Rate this article

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