Avoiding Cultural Assumptions Without Tiptoeing
You’re about to meet with a new client whose background is different from yours. Based on your previous experiences, you know that assumptions can harm trust.
So you play it safe. You avoid asking anything personal or making any cultural references.
You’re being careful—and that’s not a bad thing. But here’s the challenge:
Over-correcting can create its own kind of distance.
When you tiptoe around cultural differences, it can feel like disconnection.
Or worse, indifference.
So how do you avoid assumptions without freezing up or disengaging? That’s where the ARC Method® gives you a roadmap for connection—with both confidence and care.
Step 1: Ask – Don’t Assume, Don’t Avoid. Get Curious.
The best way to avoid assumptions? Ask instead of guessing. But don’t make the question all about identity—make it about communication and relationship-building.
Here are a few options:
“I want to make sure I’m communicating in a way that works for you—any preferences?”
“Are there any ways of working or collaborating that feel best for you and your team?”
“What helps you feel most prepared or respected going into client meetings like this one?”
These questions are inclusive, open-ended, and framed around collaboration—not culture alone. They also reduce pressure and invite dialogue, not defensiveness.
Step 2: Respect – Listen for Nuance, Not Just Answers
Respect isn’t just about being polite—it’s about listening with real intention.
When a client answers one of your questions, or shares something about their values or communication style, resist the urge to:
“Relate” immediately with your own experience
Wrap it up with a quick “got it”
Over-simplify what they said into a stereotype
Instead, acknowledge what you heard. Take a beat. Say very little.
You might respond with:
“That’s really helpful—thank you for sharing.”
“I appreciate you naming that. I’ll do my best to align with that moving forward.”
Respect also means accepting that your client may not want to talk about culture at all—and that’s okay too.
Step 3: Connect – Show You’re Engaged, Not Just “Woke”
It’s one thing to avoid offense. It’s another to show up with presence—like someone who’s not just trying to avoid getting it wrong, but genuinely wants to get it right.
Connection means staying engaged, even if you’re uncertain. It means following up with kindness. It might sound like:
“Thanks again for what you shared earlier—I’ve been thinking about how to apply that to our next steps.”
“Let me know if anything I do feels off—I’m here to learn and adjust.”
You don’t have to know every nuance of every culture. But showing that you care about trust, that you’re open to growth, and that you’re consistent over time?
That’s what builds strong cross-cultural relationships.
What This Looks Like in Practice
Let’s say you’re working with a client whose name you’ve never heard before, and you’re not sure how to pronounce it.
You could avoid saying it altogether. Or—you can take a moment to ask:
“Before we begin, can you help me say your name correctly? I want to make sure I get it right.”
That’s ARC in action. You're avoiding assumption. You’re showing respect. You’re creating connection from the very first moment.
Why This Matters
Today’s clients come from everywhere. They bring different languages, customs, family structures, religious practices, communication norms, and more.
You don’t need to master every detail of every culture. But you do need a way to engage without fear—because silence can send the wrong message. It can sound like disinterest.
The ARC Method® helps you strike the balance between careful and confident.
You don’t have to tiptoe. You can walk right up to difference—with curiosity, clarity, and care.
Try This
Think about a time you held back from asking something, afraid you’d get it wrong. What would ARC look like there?
Practice one of the open-ended questions above in your next client meeting.
Ask a colleague how they’ve handled cultural differences with clients—and what worked.
Want your team to build trust across cultures without walking on eggshells?
Voices Carry is our bestselling workshop that teaches professionals how to show up, listen, and engage—without fear of missteps.