“Show me your Horse and I will tell you who you are” of natural reflexes and culturally controlled communication

Abstract

Cultural and personal differences separate rather than bring us together. They can start a negative communication spiral with a Trojan horse in a figurative sense rising up in front of us. The unknown within us and our counterparts holds the greatest risk of misunderstanding and negative consequences. Communication in its original sense is thus an act of cooperation, of sharing and of uniting. It therefore always requires at least two partners who do something together. In order to understand the cause and effect of communication, we need to get to the bottom of people's needs and cultures, as these have a major influence on their actions and communication. If we accept the challenge to find out what motivates others and how we can make their motives and ours a common project, we have a chance to communicate constructively, achieve cooperation and to encounter Pegasus, the winged horse of the Greek mythology that makes it possible for its rider to perform great deeds.

Keywords

• Change of perspective
• Empathy
• Intercultural communication

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