Your personality, your culture, your needs and your personal challenges overall affect your ability to communicate with others. To communicate effectively with anyone, in social or professional settings, you need to develop a specific set of skills. Here are some ways to improve your ability to talk to people from multiple backgrounds.
Steps
Step 1. Listen carefully
Communicating with others is as much about listening as it is about speaking. When you listen carefully to another person, you understand what their needs and points of view are in life. Knowing who you are talking to allows them to feel understood and leads to more effective communication.
Step 2. Collect information
When a person comes from a different culture or background, they may speak in a way that doesn't match yours. Even if you speak the same language, it may come from a different area, where different terminology is used or spoken more quickly. Learn more about her culture or background to improve your ability to converse with her.
Step 3. Ask for clarification
If a person speaks quickly, uses unfamiliar words, or leaves out important information, ask them questions. She may be used to talking to people who speak just as fast or who make the same word choices, and therefore be unaware of your confusion. Asking for clarification will also show her that you are listening.
Step 4. Speak clearly
Use language that others understand. Avoid muttering or using unusual jargon. This is of particular importance when talking to people of different cultural backgrounds, ages, professions and personalities.
Step 5. Verify that your message is understood
Watch your listener's body language. Look for confirmation that he understands what you are saying. A frown or other signals from the body that indicate confusion or lack of interest are reasons to slow down or speak more clearly.
Step 6. Watch your body language
Make sure you are available. Looking at the ground or in another direction while talking to someone will communicate a lack of interest. Maintain eye contact and nod to indicate that you are listening.
Step 7. Recognize the similarities
When you are having a conversation with someone from a different background or age group, focus on your similarities and recognize them. For example, your listener might like the same flavor of ice cream that you like. Commenting on the things you have in common helps establish contact.
Step 8. Appreciate the differences
Being able to talk to someone means sincerely appreciating various beliefs and cultures. For example, you may notice that the family near you in the park is dancing to music from a different culture. To break the ice, you could ask them for the name of the instrument, artist, or song.
Step 9. Show genuine interest in others
People like to talk to those who genuinely care about them. Ask questions that show you care and want to know more. In some cultures it is customary to spend some time talking about family or frivolous matters before going into serious or professional matters.
