Think about the cultural diversity you see in your colleagues at school, in your neighborhood, in your workplace, and also, possibly, within your family. Consider all the aspects that make up culture, including race, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, varying abilities, and so on.
- Do you find yourself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures?
- If yes, in what ways do you communicate differently?
Based on what you have learned this week, share at least three strategies you could use to help you communicate more effectively with the people or groups you have identified.
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Of course I communicate differently depending on my audience. For example, when I am at work in the classroom with my three-year olds, I speak like a mother and teacher. When I am with my colleagues at work in a meeting, I speak like a professional teacher and practice my good listening skills. When I am out and about with my photography friends on a photo walk, we are relaxed, use slag and other in-group lingo that I wouldn't use in any other situation. When I am teaching my adult students in my night classes, I am professional yet I am also very conversational as well. I use technical language when necessary and also more casual, low language depending on the topic or context.
Three strategies I can use to communicate more effectively when in an intercultural situation would be the three found on page 180 of the text book:
- recognize cultural differences
- clarify behaviors as appropriate
- adjust to differences
References
O'Hair, D., &
Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.
Hello Kim,
ReplyDeleteIt is great to know that you recognize and respond to cultural differences. Every human being has the right to culture, and it important that as humans we accommodate and celebrate diversity.
Kim, I think we all switch how we communicate depending on our group or audience. I did not realize how often I switch communication styles until taking this course. What communication style do you prefer? Sometimes, I crave the ability to talk with adults where I can talk more freely and relaxed. Most of my communications is professional and or motherly. Dana
ReplyDeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteThe three strategies you mentioned are key to a successful communication. Identifying and acknowledging the differences and then adjusting to in or applying pertinent strategies makes communication more effective and the communicators feel more comfortable sharing information with one another. Thanks for your posts!
Kim, your three strategies were clear, precise, and straight to the point. You also made me thinking more in depth about my own style of communication. You are so correct, we tend to change our styles depending on who we are interacting with. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete