BUSN20017: Analyzing Direct & Indirect Communication Styles

This report examines the contrasting communication styles of direct communicators, exemplified by Australians, and indirect communicators, such as the Chinese, within a business context. Direct communication, characterized by forthrightness and literalness, is beneficial in negotiations and outlining rights and duties, while indirect communication excels in addressing sensitive issues and suggesting potentially controversial measures. The report concludes that both styles have their advantages, advising direct communicators to be mindful of others' feelings and indirect communicators to be clearer and more direct in their feedback. The report references academic work to support its analysis of intercultural business communication.

Name of the Student
Name of the University
Understanding the Inter-Cultural Challenge
of Direct and Indirect Communication

Direct Communication Style –
Australian
Direct communicators usually hail from low
context cultures like Australia
Direct communicators say or do exactly
what they feel
Direct communication is to be perceived in
the literal sense
(Rogers et al, 2015).

Indirect Communication Style – The
Chinese
Indirect communicators hail from high
context cultures, such as China
Communication is conveyed not just
through words but non verbal behavior like
pauses, voice tone, implications,
understatements and silence
Listener needs to be sensitive and capture
all the under-surface meanings of the
communication in order to be in the loop
about what is being conveyed (Wu et al.,
2015)

Using Direct Communication in
Business
Direct communicators like the Australians do well
when placed with the responsibility of carrying
out client negotiations. They can clinch deals and
lay out business agendas with their brash, brazen
and forthright communication approach.
Direct communication carried out by Australians
is useful in business when outlining the rights and
duties of employers and employees
Direct communication as executed by Australians
in business is best used in the implementation of
business plans and projects (Liu et al., 2014).

Using Indirect Communication in
Business
Indirect communicators like the Chinese
can be used in a business setup to address
sensitive issues. Examples include the
handling of difficult of employee behavior,
making recommendations to the top level
management etc. (Larina, 2015)
Indirect communicators such as the
Chinese, can play a vital role in business by
recommending or suggesting moves and
measures that would otherwise have been
deemed as inappropriate or unwanted, due
to the politically correct nature of their
communication.

Conclusion
Both direct and indirect communication
styles can prove to be advantageous in a
business setup.
Direct communicators such as the
Australians need to avoid hurting people’s
sentiments and be more careful in their
speech.
Indirect communicators like the Chinese
need to be more clear and precise about
what they want to convey and focus on
giving honest feedback instead of always
beating about the bush and being
politically correct

References
Liu, S., Volcic, Z., & Gallois, C. (2014). Introducing
intercultural communication: Global cultures and
contexts. Sage
Larina, T. (2015). Culture-specific communicative styles
as a framework for interpreting linguistic and cultural
idiosyncrasies. International Review of Pragmatics, 7(2),
195-215.
Rogers, D., Lee, C. L., & Yan, D. (2015). The politics of
foreign investment in Australian housing: Chinese
investors, translocal sales agents and local
resistance. Housing Studies, 30(5), 730-748
Wu, H. P., Garza, E., & Guzman, N. (2015). International
student’s challenge and adjustment to college. Education
Research International, 2015.