by Erich Toll
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In global business, religion is a key factor in how global teams work together, schedule meetings and more.
Worldwide, religion is one of the key factors in workplace cultural diversity. Employees want religious beliefs and practices to be accommodated, including time during the workday for rituals, and time off from work for observances.
Failing to recognize different religions and respecting the needs of individual employees, can lead to team conflict, scheduling problems, and costly employee turnover
To help people from different cultures work together in harmony, it's essential for your people to be aware of different religions and key events
Here are 5 top religions, and key events:
1. Christianity
#1 religion worldwide, practiced by about 33% of the world population
The two primary Christian holidays are
• Easter (date varies)
• Christmas, set date, always December 25
These two events result in business closings in most Christian regions. In Western Europe, the days after Easter and Christmas are also holidays.
2. Islam
Islam is the world's #2 most-practiced religion, representing
23% of the world’s population.
From the Middle East to Southeast Asia, Islam has a big effect on how and when business is done. Muslim needs include time and setting for daily prayer – especially Friday noon – as well as ritual washing before eating and prayer.
Key Muslim holy days include:
• Ramadan (date varies)
• Eid ad-Fitr (date varies)
Please refer to the online intercultural diversity calendar, to find out this year’s dates for varying holidays,
3. Hinduism
Hinduism, the primary religion in India, is #3 worldwide. Because of the region’s diverse cultures, it has a large list of holidays. Some of the most important are
• Maha Shivaratri (Shiva’s Night) (date varies)
• Holi, Maha Shivaratri
• Ram Navami (Birthday of Rama) (date varies)
• Vaisakhi (New Year), April 14
• Janmashtami (Birth of Lord Krishna) (date varies)
• Dassehra (Durga Puja) (date varies)
• Diwali (date varies)
4. Buddhism
Buddhism is the world’s 4th most-practiced religion.
In China, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, and Thailand, New Year celebrations might result in businesses and government offices being closed for days or weeks. Buddhist holidays also affect countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand.
A couple key holidays include
• Buddha’s Birth, April 8
• Bodhi Day (Buddha’s Enlightenment), December 8.
5. Judaism
Judaism is a key religion in many countries. For example, it's the second most practiced in the United States.
For practicing Jews, many dates require time off from work. These include:
• first two days of Passover (date varies)
• Rosh Hashanah (date varies)
• Yom Kippur (date varies)
• first two days of Sukkoth (date varies)
In Israel, business is usually closed
• Passover (date varies)
• Hanukkah (date varies)
The global workplace sees great diversity in culture, language, and religion. An intercultural diversity calendar is the best way to schedule effectively, create harmony, and foster effective teams.
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In the West we say “give it to me straight.” Generally speaking, people in the United States tend to be direct, and North Europeans even more so. If confronted by a North European, it’s okay to be firm about your opinions.
But in other cultures, people believe conflict is dysfunctional and would rather be indirect and diplomatic. In indirect cultures, the emphasis is on social harmony, one of the key differences in values between cultures. Thus, people are often indirect to avoid conflict, embarrassment or hurt feelings.
In some parts of the world, people might give you directions even if they have no idea how to get there. The reason: they don’t want to disappoint you or embarrass themselves by telling you they don’t know.
1. Communication Problems - These roundabout communication styles can cause problems, from getting accurate feedback from employees, to getting a yes or no answer. For example, a South American passenger jet once crashed near New York after the cockpit crew failed to be direct about the severity of their lack of fuel.
2. No to No – In many cultures, the most difficult word is no. In Thailand, there’s no such word. In Japan, there are more than a dozen different ways to give rejection, each appropriate for different occasions. Rather than saying no directly, people might say “maybe” or “not yet.”
3. Does Yes Means Yes? Even yes doesn’t always mean yes. In many cultures, yes might mean “yes I have heard you” rather then “yes I agree with you.”
Direct vs indirect communication is one of the most important facets of cultural diversity in the workplace. Here are 4 tips for communicating effectively across cultures:
4. Asked Different Ways – To get more direct information, you might try gently asking a question several different ways.
5. Third Parties – Another strategy is to seek information through third parties, especially local associates.
6. Change Settings – Finally, try a change of setting. An Asian executive might be more open in an informal setting like a golf course, or a Latin American subordinate more forthcoming behind closed doors.
7. Diplomacy Wins – At the same time, you’ll need to be more diplomatic to avoid seeming pushy or rude. Thus, avoid forcing direct answers.
You’ll also need to give information diplomatically. For example, if you need to criticize an employee, you might make comments aimed at a group rather than an individual.
Conclusion: Let’s summarize the key points of indirect communication:
• In many cultures, people are indirect to avoid conflict, embarrassment or hurt feelings;
• Solutions for getting accurate meaning include rephrasing, changing settings or going through third parties;
• And finally, adjust your style and learn to ask for and give information diplomatically.
For more information, see this intercultural communication video.
What did I miss? Please leave your comments or additional tips below.
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