Developing the Ability to Adapt to Different Cultures
Cross-cultural competence is the ability to build pleasant relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds. How can we cultivate such ability? I would like to introduce three practices necessary for doing so, based on my own experiences.
Here is my contribution on cross‑cultural competence that was published in the September 2 morning edition of the Nikkei Shimbun. Read the original here.
Below is the translation:
Intercultural competence refers to the ability to build pleasant relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds. When conducting intercultural training, I realize that many people, regardless of nationality, desire to cultivate this ability. Therefore, based on my experience, I would like to introduce three essential mindsets for fostering intercultural competence.
Firstly, experience the other person’s culture using all five senses. It can be anything—food, music, sports, events, etc.—so just dive in and try anything that sparks your interest.
The intuitive understanding gained from these experiences is extremely useful when trying to understand someone’s cultural background. If you discover something you like, tell them right away. They’ll surely be pleased, and it will significantly shorten the emotional distance between you.
Secondly, instead of trying to change the other person’s behavior, change your own. For example, with someone who prefers more direct communication, instead of expecting them to understand without you saying anything, make an effort to communicate clearly in words. Consciously adjust your own behavior.
Such consideration will be conveyed to the other person, and will elicit consideration from them in return. Conversely, expecting the other person to adapt to you often results in imposing your own culture and doesn’t work well.
Thirdly, find common ground as fellow human beings. This requires a willingness to get to know the other person, but the joy of finding common ground is immense, and that joy can be shared with them.
I once had an American boss I didn’t get along with, but we laughed together because the pattern on his socks was similar to my taste. It was a small thing, but it made me feel like we were connected somehow. And it made me realize once again that emotions like joy, anger, sadness, and happiness are the greatest common ground that transcends cultural differences.
The moment you feel you’ve truly understood someone from a different cultural background, as fellow human beings, is a joyful one for anyone.
At the same time, it’s important to accept that there are areas where we cannot understand each other. We have similarities, and we have differences. Intercultural competence is the wisdom needed for various cultures to coexist while remaining distinct from one another.