Cross-Cultural Communication With Different Personalities

Recently, I was interviewed by Melissa Lamson for an article in Inc. Magazine about how to deal with difficult personalities, particularly when there’s overlap between cross-cultural contexts and personality. I grew up in Africa as the son of missionary parents, spending a great deal of time experiencing and exploring cross-cultural communication. More recently I’ve specialized in the Process Communication Model (PCM) a global communication model that’s being taught in more than 30 countries around the world. When I teach master classes in my role as a PCM Certifying Master Trainer, and at international PCM trainer conferences, I get to compare notes on how personality and communication interface with culture.

Here are four ways you can reveal the junction between culture and personality when in a difficult conversation or conflict.

1. Consider the cultural norms and values within a particular country context.

2. Consider a person’s individual personality traits.

3. In situations of conflict, seek first to understand the cultural and personality needs, then explore what “content” disagreement still exists.

4. Understand that you may need to adapt your style of communication and motivation to that person’s preference.

For more of my interview with Melissa, click here to read the entire article!

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