Intercultural Communication in the Workplace

1. Intercultural Communication in the Workplace

2. Culture Learned patterns of behavior and attitudes shared by a group of people - languages, practices, beliefs, values, rituals, and relationships. Learned Behavior

3. Cultural Identities Who are we? How are we influenced by cultures we belong to?

4. Personal Space Bubble size depends on your cultural background Contact culture � stand close together, more touching, more eye contact, speak more loudly Noncontact culture � stand further apart, less touching

5. Speaking Styles Pause Time � serves as a way of taking turns in conversation. Silence duration varies from culture to culture. Non-natives � clocked at .9 seconds. Navajo/Apache � 1.5 seconds. Jewish communities � 0 pause time - enthusiastic support. Terry Tafoya Working with the AI people involves skills of patience, ability to tolerate silence and listening. To be less verbally active. The cultural consideration of patience is required because �generations of oppression takes time to change� (Weaver, 1999). Working with the AI people involves skills of patience, ability to tolerate silence and listening. To be less verbally active. The cultural consideration of patience is required because �generations of oppression takes time to change� (Weaver, 1999).

6. Use of Time Monochronic concept of time � values punctuality, completion of tasks, adherence to schedules Polychronic orientation � schedules are less important, flexible

7. Individualism vs. Collectivism Individualism � self-reliance; independent � as it refers to communication: people who value individualism tend to value more direct forms of communication and conflict resolution. Collectivism � expectation to be more responsible or caring for other family members; People in collectivist societies may employ less direct communication and more avoidance-style conflict resolution.

8. Why is it important for organizations to be culturally competent? Demographic changes/immigration patterns. Improve quality of social and healthcare services. Decrease the likelihood of liability/malpractice claims. Telecommunications/Transportation Technology

9. Migration Patterns Employment College Family Health Care Natural Disasters

10. Building Blocks Culture Communication Context Power

11. Barriers to Effective Intercultural Communication Ethnocentrism Stereotyping Prejudice Discrimination

12. Competence Unconscious Incompetence Conscious Incompetence Conscious Competence Unconscious Competence

13. Color Blindness Discourages meaningful conversations about race relations. When we pretend we don�t see differences, we disregard identities and support racial inequality.

14. Works CitedMartin, Judith N. and Nakayama, Thomas. (2007). Experiencing Intercultural Communication, An Introduction (3rd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill

15. Nell Eby, MSPRCultural BrokerElk River Cultural Connections 406-671-6054ez2bneb@wildblue.net