Communication in a Multicultural Workplace

Moriba Touray

Devry University, Keller Graduate School of Management, GM410

How to Communicate in the workplace

• The ability to be opened to learning about and accepting of cultural diverse groups.

• Note the following:

Prejudice Sexism

Stereotype Multiculturalism

Cultural sensitivity Ethnicity

Racism Race

Discrimination Ethnocentrism

Why address cultural differences in a multicultural workplace

• Help organizations build environments that include all workers.

• Explore the concept of intentional and unintentional intolerance.

• Recognize the strength of diversity as a leader.

• Address the issue of stereotype i.e. generalization characteristics that applied to members of a cultural group.

What groups do we include in our list of cultural differences

Race

Gender

Faith Ethnicity

Language

Nation

The specific cultural approach to differences

• Understanding and awareness of cultural issues. Reduces the chance of stereotyping.

• Not to discriminate or make difference in treatment on a basis other than individual character.

• Recognize and acknowledge societal diversity. In addition, there exists many ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, gender and class.

Recognition of group identity with respect

• Communication and language

• Dress and appearance

• Time and time consciousness

• Rewards and recognition

• Relationships

• Values and norms

• Sense of self and space

• Beliefs and attitudes

Recognition of cross-cultural factors

• Food and eating habits

• Personal hygiene, habits and appearance

• Cultural values in Asia and the American workplace

• Understand workplace ladder

Incorporating diversity into workplace communication

• Come out of our comfort zones

• Communicate in way that new groups can understand

• Become sensitive to our own culture and value and respect differences

• Promote mutual respect

• Stimulate to strategic and critical thinking

• Seek to help members to different cultures when interacting with them.

Facilitate communication across cultural boundaries

• Recognize differences

• Build your self-awareness

• Describe and identify, then interpret

• Don’t assume your interpretation is right

• Share experience honestly. Don’t evaluate or judge others. Avoid cultural blindness: it could camouflage reality.

• Acknowledge discomfort, hesitation or concern. Practice politically correct communication.

Communication strategies to promote understanding

• Patient

• Select words carefully, and avoid slang

• Use nouns, not pronouns

• Ask specific questions-when, how, who, what etc.

• Praise and criticism should be clearly distinguished

• Recognize eye contacts, accent and personal space.

Better Communication in the diverse workplace

• Learn how the source culture best receives communication

• Train foreign employees to avoid misunderstanding and confusion

• Practice open-door communication carefully

• Company wide communications, avoid jargons

• Play by the rules and stick to business

Individual path to multiculturalcommunication

• Accept/respect – allowing other cultures be what they are and is fine for things not always fit our paradigms.

• Appreciation/value- see worthy things in things that fall outside our own culture

• An individual begin using things that were initially outside our own cultural paradigms

• Recognize multiculturalism- integrating our lives with other cultures

Communication as a tool to empowerment in the workplace

• Strive to be responsible to all sectors within the workplace

• Facilitate workplace empowerment

• Implement inclusion and build relationships at all levels

• Encourage and support cultural competent members

Continuum of communication in a multicultural workplace

• Should be characterized by acceptance of and respect for differences, continuing self-assessment, regarding cultural dynamics, and continuous expansion of cultural knowledge

• Holding other cultures at very high-esteem.

• Combat stereotyping, scape-goating, and other misinformation

• Recognize values, respect and build the diversity within the organization

References

Bove’e, C. & Thill, J. 2006. Business

Communication Essentials, Second edition, Apprentice Hall, Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458.

Thank you!