Which of the following would be the MOST useful strategy for learning to communicate effectively with international employees working in your overseas divisions?

A. Devote time to learning the rules for communicating with people from each of the countries you will be interacting with.
B. Choose managers for overseas divisions who are white, middle-class males. That way you eliminate much of the problem of intercultural communication because the people you'll deal with most often will still be from your own culture.
C. Arrange to meet in person with your international employees. Then you can rely on nonverbal signals to communicate effectively.
D. Be aware that both you and your international employees are influenced by your native culture. Awareness of the values, beliefs and practices in other cultures will help you communicate more effectively.

i thought its D

I agree.

The most useful strategy for learning to communicate effectively with international employees working in your overseas divisions would be option D: Be aware that both you and your international employees are influenced by your native culture. Awareness of the values, beliefs, and practices in other cultures will help you communicate more effectively.

To arrive at this answer, we can analyze each option:

Option A suggests devoting time to learning the rules for communicating with people from each of the countries you will be interacting with. This is a valuable approach as understanding cultural norms can greatly enhance communication. However, it is not the most useful strategy on its own. Understanding cultural rules is just one aspect of effective communication.

Option B suggests choosing managers for overseas divisions who are white, middle-class males to eliminate intercultural communication problems. This approach is counterproductive and excludes diversity. It is important to have diverse representation and promote inclusivity within the organization.

Option C suggests relying on nonverbal signals during in-person meetings with international employees to communicate effectively. While nonverbal signals are indeed important, relying solely on them may lead to misinterpretation and miscommunication. It is crucial to develop effective verbal communication skills as well.

Option D emphasizes the awareness that both you and your international employees are influenced by your native culture. This option recognizes the need to understand and respect different cultural values, beliefs, and practices, which is essential for effective communication across cultural boundaries.

Therefore, option D is the most comprehensive and useful strategy for learning to communicate effectively with international employees. It promotes understanding, empathy, and cultural sensitivity, leading to more successful communication and collaboration across cultures.