Indirect Versus Direct Communication Style

Communication styles: cultural differences and diversities

Communication Styles: Several elements of communication style are especially relevant in business contexts, including indirect versus direct, and honesty versus harmony.

1. Indirect versus direct.

a. People with a direct style simply ask for information from the appropriate person.

b. A person with an indirect style may not feel comfortable giving information, particularly when there is a problem and a need to save face.

c. One way to obtain information is to observe how others get information from one another and how they get it from you.

d. The approach may vary according to status or relationship.

e. Good intercultural business communication may involve slowing down and “sneaking

However, in Hong Kong handshakes is fairly common and less firm than Western handshake but, slightly bow shows a sign of respect. Hong Kong negotiations can be slow and detailed, but very efficient. American executives are usually anxious, and ready to get straight to the point. In Hong Kong the number three in Chinese sounds like the word for "life," and number eight sounds like the word for "prosperity." Chinese word for number nine is a homonym for the word "eternity." Also, avoid time frame or gestures in a group of four; the Chinese word for "4" sounds similar to the word for "death." In the United States suppositions, religion, are strictly private, but slightly linked to the morality of conducting business on a local and national

The real challenge in workplace communication knows how to work with cultural differences in a productive way.

2. Not all differences are seen as equal, and certain communication styles may be viewed negatively, which can lead to prejudice and discrimination.

3. The language and communication styles of those holding the most power in the business context often are the desired form of communication.

a. Until recently in most U.S. organizations, the dominant style was individualistic, and the emphasis was on directness, honesty rather than harmony, and on task completion, rather than relationship building.

b. Individuals who held different values and communication styles often didn 't fit in or were not hired or promoted Individuals who held different values and communication styles often didn 't fit in or were not hired or promoted.

c. These traits are sometimes still required, making it difficult for women, minorities, and international workers who do not possess these attributes.

d. The resulting discrimination and prejudice have led to (among other things) diversity training and affirmation action policies that direct companies to hire a certain percentage of women and