Top 7 Strategies to Enhance Negotiation in a Diverse Workplace

In a globalized world, the exchange of labour, goods, and people are common factors in today’s business transactions. Employees come from multicultural backgrounds and companies are becoming increasingly diverse in terms of the work environment. An international work environment requires that employees are competent in communicating with colleagues of diverse cultural backgrounds and intercultural competence must be developed individually as it is not enough to apply traditional cultural knowledge from books in such complex workplaces. Apart from the obvious factor of communication, employees also operate within the boundaries of their professional environment, and must achieve goals. These goals depend on their co-operation with other business partners and employees, and communication must therefore be adjusted to accommodate both partners' needs.

1. Gather Knowledge
   
   Gathering knowledge about the national culture, the individual personality, political opinions and business ethics of your co-communication is necessary because only by being familiar with others' behaviour and manners can we co-operate effectively. It is also important to be competent in foreign languages.
   
   
2. Adapt
   
   Adapting to the communication strategies of your co-communicator facilitates a common ground for both parties. Adapting includes thinking outside our cultural boundaries and behaving flexibly.
   
   
3. Honour Face
   
   Honouring the face of your co-communicator is important because without respect and dignity conflicts often arise. By respecting differences it is easier to reach a consensus and achieve a positive social impression.
   
   
4. Reduce Anxiety
   
   Reducing anxiety helps to not only relax in unfamiliar situations such as first time negotiations, but also help predict the behaviour of both parties and induce a more comfortable state of mind. It is important to be open and observant.
   
   
5. Be Empathetic
   
   Being empathetic is one of the most important aspects of intercultural communication because by being sensitive to the feelings of your co-communication, you may achieve a better understanding and come off as a trustworthy individual. Even in business situations, it is important to remember that we are still emotional human beings and appreciate being cared for.
   
   
6. Communication Appropriately
   
   Communicating appropriately is eminent as the knowledge acquired must be adapted to every single encounter. It's important to evaluate and apply the norms are most appropriate for the type of business your co-communicator works in, the local company culture, and former negotiation experiences.
   
   
7. Communicate Effectively
   
   Proper communication strategies must be chosen because each individual has a different understanding of what an effective communication strategy is. As mentioned before, as employees, we must achieve goals and we must therefore monitor the effectiveness of our communication and maximize our success via interaction.

Bio: Xenia has written a Master thesis on the subject of intercultural communication competence, and she has an interest in modern lifestyle, and travelling. She currently works in international digital marketing and also blogs at http://www.miinto.ie/passion-for-fashion/.