Developing intercultural-communication competence

Global leaders thrive in the new global context when they exhibit intercultural-communication competence. Intercultural communication is defined as communication among people from different cultural backgrounds. This chapter highlights five ways of coping with these differences – ignoring, embracing, resisting, fighting, and transforming. Common intercultural communication challenges include identity (stereotypes), cultural filter (ethnocentrism), and verbal and nonverbal communication (the dissimilar use of a common language, figuring out nonverbal cues). This chapter applies these challenges to the dynamic of leading global teams. Building intercultural communication competence takes time and determination.