Entries by Beth Hampel

Asking for help

in /by

Research shows that not only is it untrue that asking for help makes you appear incompetent, but in some cases asking for help with a difficult task actually results in higher perceived competence.

How the British handle difficult questions

in /by

In every culture, there are questions and topics that are taboo. They are considered too personal or indiscreet, and people feel embarrassed or even offended when asked about them. Handling difficult questions about taboo subjects can be really tricky and each culture deals with them differently. Not all cultures have the same taboos. When making […]

Giving Advice Across Cultures

in , /by

Is giving advice the same in every culture? Giving advice to someone is not as simple as just telling them what to do, especially in an intercultural situation where more sensitivity needs to be applied.  The problem is that if the advice you give is too direct it can come across as a command. What […]

Giving Constructive Criticism: Phrases and Tips

in , /by

How are you at giving constructive criticism? Giving praise to someone, for example on a job well done, is easy and direct: “Well done!” – but what about doing the opposite, giving constructive criticism when someone’s performance is unsatisfactory? The problem is that if the constructive criticism you give is too negative or direct, you […]