intercultural communication

Culminating Signature AssignmentFosterJED50428-8

Intercultural CommunicationNorthcentral University

Positive Intercultural Communication

AgendaIntercultural Communication

Best Practices

Cultural Diversity in the Workplace

Why is Diversity Important?

Agenda (continued…)

Kohls & Hofstede Cultural Values

Avoiding Unhealthy Stereotypes

Nonverbal Strategies

Intercultural Communication Best Practices

1. Avoid assumptions or jokes

2. Use symbols, diagrams, & pictures

3. Avoid using slang and idioms

4. Investigate their perception

5. Take differences into account

6. Use understandable language

7. Educate yourself

More Best PracticesIn oral communication: In written

communication:

• Speak slowly and clearly

• Be careful with pronunciation

• Simplify speech • Make one point at a

time • Adapt tone of voice,

style and behavior to what is culturally acceptable to your audience

• Watch the other person for misunderstanding and be ready to provide feedback

• Use short, simple sentences and short paragraphs

• Number points for clarity

• Reflect your relationship with the reader in your choice of words

• Be very careful with translation

• Avoid acronyms and idiomatic expressions

- Bovee, C.L. & Thill, J.V. (2005)

Develop a sense of cultural

awareness

Do away with ethnocentris

m Learn to adapt

Be more tolerant

Listen carefully and empathize

Look beyond the

superficial

Take responsibility for the communication

Even More Best Practices

Cultural Diversity in the Workplace

Why is this important?

Success3 21

Respect

Being Unique

Stereotypes are

damaging

What is Diversity?

Exploring Kohls

& Hofstede

Personal Control over Environment

Change Time and its Control

Equality/ Egalitarianis

m

Individualism & Privacy Self-Help

Competition & Free

EnterpriseFuture

Orientation

Action/Work Orientation Informality

Directness, Openness, &

HonestyPracticality & Efficiency

Materialism /

Acquisitiveness

Kohls’ “Values Americans Live By”

Exploring Kohl

& Hofstede

1.

Power/Distance

2.

Individualism

3.

Masculinity

4.

Uncertainty/Avoidance

Index

5.

Long Term Orientation

6.

Indulgence vs Restraint

Hofstede’s Value Dimensions of Culture

Are these Stereotypes?• Japanese woman are gentle• Americans are very independent• Chinese people use chopsticks to eat• Girls are emotional• Boys are good at sports

• China is a communist country• French people love food• Asians are good at memorizing things• People from India are poor and dirty• Mexicans are good landscapers

Stereotyping

allows forPower

Dominance

Reasons why Stereotyping Hampers Intercultural Communication

Reason 1 Reason 2 Reason 3 Reason 4

It filters information –

Confirms what we already know

Assumes every one is the same in a cultural

group

They are over-

simplified, exaggerated,

and over-generalized

They are resistant to

change – Grow

stronger with time

Ask yourself?

What is the content?

2

What is the source?

3

Why do I believe it?

4

How much contact do

I have?

5 Who is the target?

1

Avoiding Stereotypes

Functions of Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal65%

Verbal35%

Communication

Improving Nonverbal Skills

Be conscious of nonverbal behaviorBe purposeful in use in non-verbalsMake sure non-verbals are not

distractingMatch verbal & nonverbal

communicationAdapt to the situationKnow your culture

When SENDING messages:

Improving Nonverbal Skills

Pay attention to all aspects of non-verbals

Consider gender, culture, and individual differences

Don’t automatically assumeUse perception checking

When RECEIVING messages:

Questions Around the Topics?

Thank you for your time!

?

ReferencesAdler, N.J. (2008). International Dimensions of Organizational Behavior, 5th ed.

Eagan, MN: Thomson/South Western. Pg. 79

Barnlund, D.C. (1968). Interpersonal Communication: Survey and Studies.Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Pgs. 536-537.

Bovee, C.L. & Thill, J.V. (2005). Business communication today. 8th edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall International, Inc.

Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture’s Consequences: International Differences in Work-Related Values, 2nd Ed. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.

 Kohls, L. R., (1986). The Values Americans Live By.

http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/pages/faculty/alee/extra/American_values.html

Samovar, L., Porter, R., McDaniel, E. Roy, C. (2013). Communication between cultures. 8th ed. Boston, MA: Wadworth. Pg. 233.

Ting-Toomey, S. & Chung, L.C. (2005). Understanding Intercultural Communication.Los Angeles: Roxbury. Pg. 93.

Varner, I. and Beamer, L. (1995). Intercultural communication in the global workplace. USA: pg. 2.