Communicating across cultures, so people understand the intention and achieving maximum impact of your message, is not an easy task.
„Say what you mean, and mean what you say‟ is good communication style in Denmark. Clear, transparent and specific communication is appreciated, often clarified in key points and in writing. If you speak between the lines in business, you may not be considered trustworthy.
The intention of this communication style is to ensure the message is understood.
Particularly in Asian countries, and also African and to some degree Latin countries, good communication is indirect and layered. You wrap up the message. The intention beeing that everyone is feeling ok.
To understand the message, you have to decode what’s beeing said and what’s not beeing said. Silence is also a message.
„No‟ rarely is an answer. „We shall consider‟ or „We shall do our best‟ could be the substitute. The intention is to maintain harmony.
The communication gap on a relative scale:
