Why Most Global Communication Fails and What To Do About It | Masafumi Otsuka | TEDxRoppongi

Summary

In this insightful talk, the speaker shares their journey of overcoming cultural communication barriers and how they transitioned from feeling like they had a 'communication disorder' to becoming an expert in global communication. Drawing from personal experiences and lessons learned, they highlight the importance of active listening in bridging cultural gaps. The speaker introduces five key rules for effective communication across cultures, emphasizing facial expressions, clarifications, and using technology to aid understanding. This presentation is a guide for anyone seeking to enhance their global communication skills and navigate diverse professional environments.

Takeaways

• 😀 The fear of asking questions or interrupting others is often rooted in cultural norms, such as in Japan, where interrupting or asking for clarification can be considered rude.
• 😀 Communication disorders are not always about language skills, but rather about how we listen and engage with others during conversations.
• 😀 Active listening is crucial for global communication and collaboration, ensuring messages are fully understood across different cultures and languages.
• 😀 In a global setting, miscommunication often happens because individuals fail to recognize the importance of active listening, which involves facial expressions, body language, and asking clarifying questions.
• 😀 Successful communication with global freelancers is less about speaking perfect English and more about mutual understanding through active listening and engagement.
• 😀 Using visual cues like facial expressions and body language can significantly improve communication in cross-cultural interactions.
• 😀 Slowing down speech and ensuring clarity in communication can prevent misunderstandings, especially when working with people from different linguistic backgrounds.
• 😀 Clarifying information by paraphrasing or restating key points helps ensure that both parties understand each other correctly.
• 😀 Global collaboration platforms like oDesk (now Upwork) allow individuals to work with freelancers from different cultures, but success depends on clear communication and active listening, not just the fluency of the language used.
• 😀 Miscommunication is not an English problem; it's a communication problem that can be solved with active listening, clear feedback, and using available communication tools effectively.

Q & A

Why did the speaker initially believe they had a communication disorder?

The speaker believed they had a communication disorder due to cultural differences in communication styles. This belief stemmed from their experience of being laughed at in their 6th-grade class for asking a question and their struggles with speaking up in a marketing class years later.

What are the three Japanese communication rules the speaker learned?

The three Japanese communication rules the speaker learned were: 1) Never interrupt someone when they're talking, 2) Never clarify or ask questions if you can look up the answer later, and 3) Never think out loud and only speak when you're sure of what you're going to say.

How did the speaker's communication struggles continue even after learning these rules?

Even after learning these rules, the speaker continued to struggle with communication, particularly in a global context. When speaking in English, they followed these rules, which led to difficulties in participating in meetings and sharing ideas due to fear of saying something wrong.

What key experience transformed the speaker's approach to communication?

The key experience that transformed the speaker's approach to communication was starting to use the website oDesk in 2010, where they collaborated with freelancers from around the world. This forced them to adopt new communication practices that allowed for better collaboration despite language barriers.

How did the speaker adapt to working with freelancers from different countries?

The speaker adapted to working with freelancers by focusing on clear, effective communication, regardless of the freelancers' English proficiency. They emphasized active listening and used tools like facial expressions, body language, and clarification to ensure mutual understanding.

What is 'active listening' and why is it important in global communication?

Active listening is the practice of fully concentrating on what the speaker is saying and providing feedback to confirm whether the message is understood. It is important in global communication because it helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures that all parties are on the same page, especially in cross-cultural contexts.

What are the five specific ways the speaker's freelancers communicated effectively?

The five specific ways the speaker's freelancers communicated effectively were: 1) Using facial expressions and body language to show understanding, 2) Interrupting the speaker to ask for clarification, 3) Paraphrasing to confirm understanding, 4) Utilizing tools like screen sharing and text for easier communication, and 5) Summarizing periodically to avoid misunderstandings.

What mistake did Kenji, the product manager, make during global meetings?

Kenji's mistake was not practicing active listening. He failed to use facial expressions, did not clarify or ask for clarification, and did not ask his US and European peers to slow down when speaking too fast, leading to misunderstandings.

How did the speaker help Kenji improve his communication in global meetings?

The speaker helped Kenji by teaching him active listening techniques, such as using facial expressions, asking for clarification, and summarizing information. This allowed Kenji to break out of the negative spiral of blaming his English skills and improve his participation in meetings.

What is the key takeaway for improving global communication?

The key takeaway for improving global communication is to focus on active listening, which includes facial expressions, clarifying through paraphrasing, using available communication tools, and summarizing to avoid misunderstandings. It's important not to blame language skills but to address communication barriers.