Adapting to a new work culture can be difficult for immigrants. It takes time and patience to learn about customs, ways of working, and business etiquette in a foreign land.
Acquainting yourself with how culture affects communication and conflict styles in the workplace can help you navigate it successfully, prevent misunderstandings, and build relationships with coworkers.
Communication
Communication is essential when adapting your style of communication as an immigrant in Canada. You need to find ways to accept feedback from employers and managers that work best for you, regardless of their language proficiency or cultural background.
Additionally, you should become familiar with the different ways people communicate and handle conflict in a work setting. Doing this can help you avoid disputes and keep your stress levels down.
In many cultures, employees rely on their supervisors for clear instructions and direction. Furthermore, they hold high expectations regarding how they should act in the workplace.
Feedback
As an immigrant in Canada, you must learn to navigate the unique workplace culture. While this may take some time, the knowledge acquired will enable you to build a career and make the most of your Canadian experience.
As a newcomer to Canada, it’s important to learn how to give and receive feedback effectively. In Canada, negative criticism often gets wrapped in positive remarks – such as “Your report was very good!”
Employees from other cultures may find this confusing. For instance, someone from a culture that values power distance may hesitate to participate in a feedback process because their supervisor might misinterpret this as evidence of poor attitude or lack of initiative.
Hierarchy
The organizational structure of a business can have an impact on employees’ attitudes toward their role within it. Hierarchies are commonly used to organize authority levels within organizations.
Hierarchies are structured so that those at the top are in charge, while everyone else works towards completing tasks.
Hierarchy can be an invaluable asset to a company as it grows, providing managers and workers with the power to make important decisions. However, if not managed effectively, hierarchy may have negative repercussions on workplace culture.
A hierarchical culture can often create feelings of undervaluation and unworthiness among employees based on their position. This could lead to misunderstandings at work and create unnecessary tension.
Individualism
Individualism is a cultural perspective that emphasizes individual values and personal autonomy. It stands in stark contrast to collectivism, which emphasizes social cooperation.
Though the focus of both approaches differ, they share many similarities. Individualism offers the freedom to pursue your own path and avoid social pressures to conform.
Studies have demonstrated that people naturally transition between cultures as they encounter new environments. This process is especially beneficial in multicultural societies and contexts.
However, individuals in more collectivist cultures tend to be more sensitive to GRD than those within more individualistic ones. This could be because there is a greater emphasis on family and other reference groups in these cultures.
Networking
A diverse professional network can be a major asset for an immigrant seeking employment in Canada. By tapping into social capital within their community and taking advantage of networking opportunities, newcomers can build an invaluable support system that will aid their career development and employment search.
Furthermore, networking can be a great opportunity for an immigrant to repackage their skills and experience to match Canadian workplace expectations. For instance, if they come with professional certifications but want to pursue another career path in Canada, networking will help them learn how to adapt themselves for the Canadian work environment.
LinkedIn can be an effective tool for connecting with Canadian professionals in your field. By introducing yourself by name and creating a professional profile on the platform, you increase your chances of making connections and increasing opportunities for collaboration.
