Intercultural Dialogues: Some Theory-guided Practical Tips for Managers *

Abstract

Theory is not only good for predicting behaviors but also for understanding a phenomenon. Twelve theoretical insights are presented in this chapter. These insights have bearing on intercultural dialogue not only when we go from our own culture to another but also when we interact with people who are different from us in our own culture (in terms of race, gender, sexual preference, ability or disability, social class, profession, and so forth). The first seven insights (universality of ethnocentrism, ethnocentrism of universalism, motivated reasoning, false consensus effect, fundamental attribution error, fixed and growth mindsets, and well-meaning conflicts) refer to issues that affect all intercultural interactions, and learning about them and guarding against them can improve intercultural dialogue. The next five insights (making isomorphic attribution, managing disconfirmed expectations, learning how to learn, moving from unconscious incompetence to mindful competence, and developing organizationally relevant cross-cultural skills) refer to skills that are grounded in theory that can facilitate skill development for intercultural dialogue.