Post on 27-Jul-2020
To Diversity and Beyond:To Diversity and Beyond:
B ildi B id th h C lt lBuilding Bridges through Cultural Competence
John, the plant manager, asked Jose, the Jo , t e p a t a age , as ed Jose, t etransportation manager how many trucks he expected to receive and unload today.
Jose proceeded to explain all the contingencies hi h i t t l d ti bwhich may impact actual production numbers.
Al t 10 i t l t ft J h h d h hiAlmost 10 minutes later after John had shown his exasperation several times, he asked “just how many trucks?”
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
many trucks?
CULTURAL APPLICATIONSCULTURAL APPLICATIONS
What do you think is John’s assessment ofWhat do you think is John s assessment of Jose’s management ability based on his “poor” communication?poor communication?
I J h ’ i t t ti t ?Is John’s interpretation accurate?
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DALLAS DEMOGRAPHICSDALLAS DEMOGRAPHICS
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DEMOGRAPHIC SHIFT ‐ DallasDEMOGRAPHIC SHIFT Dallas
2000 2009 DELTAHispanic 35.6% 43.1% 7.5%White alone 34.6% 30.5% -4.1%34.6% 30.5%Black alone 25.6% 22.3% -3.3%Asian alone 0 0%Asian alone 2.7% 2.7% 0.0%
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
Some generalizationsSome generalizationsBEWARE: Generalizations vs stereotypes
Cultural Puzzle Pieces:– Ethnic/Nationality – our focus today– RegionalRegional– Generational– Gender– Religiousg– Education– Vocation– Corporate– Personality– Many others
All components of each individual’s cultural puzzle
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
HOW ARE WE ALIKE?HOW ARE WE ALIKE?
• Basic physical needsas c p ys ca eeds• Desire to be valued and respected• Need for community (to belong)Need for community (to belong)• Need for communication
Where we differ is how we perceive these needs are met ‐ culture
Example – work assignment
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
COMMUNICATION STYLESCOMMUNICATION STYLES
Direct ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐IndirectDirect Indirect
d Q iLoud ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐Quiet
Animated‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐Subdued
Close proximity‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐Distant
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KEY ELEMENTS IN COMMUNICATION
• Language – words, subject to interpretationg g , j p
• Nonverbal ‐ subject to cultural interpretation
• Importance of context – driven by culture
• Perception – heavily influenced by culture
• Cultural values ‐ drives communication
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
LANGUAGE?LANGUAGE?
Subject to interpretationSubject to interpretation
To table a topic – what would you do?To table a topic what would you do?
To develop a sound system for performance p y pmeasurement. (How important is context?)
To watch a little football. (what is your mental picture?)
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
AN INTRODUCTION TO UNDERSTANDING CULTURALUNDERSTANDING CULTURAL
DIFFERENCES
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
HIGH
vs
LOW
CONTEXTCopyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
CONTEXT
WHICH IS YOUR PREFERRED STYLE?WHICH IS YOUR PREFERRED STYLE?
• Do you recognize implied messages from others, y g p g ,and are you aware of the verbal and nonverbal cues that allow you to understand the speaker's meaning?meaning?
Implicit‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ExplicitImplicit Explicit
• Do you "let your words speak for themselves?" y y pDo you prefer to be more direct, relying on what is explicitly stated in your speech?
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What have you observed in your workplace in terms of high and low context?terms of high and low context?
A th th h f t d i di tl b tiAre there those who prefer to respond indirectly, beating around the bush?
How do those who prefer a more direct style Respond?
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
HIGH and LOW CONTEXT COMPARED
HIGH CONTEXT LOW CONTEXT
Locus of control Outside influences Individual accountability
Perception of self Part of community Independent, stand alone
Definition of honesty Defined in terms of Generally well defined ‐Definition of honesty Defined in terms of community values
Generally well defined Absolute – EXCEPT!
Measure of success Respect and contribution to community
Accumulation of wealthy
Giving instruction Need specifics, reduce risk Focus on outcome, few specific instructions
Feedback (positive and Give both in private, as Positive in public, negative (pnegative)
p ,positive may damage relationships; indirect
p , gin private; direct
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
What you seeWhat you see may not be what you get
Some examples
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
PREFERRED STYLEPREFERRED STYLESTYLE LEVEL STYLE DEFINED STAGE OF STYLEPRIMARY S i l N Hi hl l d lPRIMARY Societal Norm.
Planned, adapted, filtered to fit preferred style of society
Highly evolved style to fit the “norm”; heavily filtered.
style of societySECONDARY Stressed style – moves
toward “native” style, ignoring some filters
Style learned from infancy/youth
ignoring some filters.
TERTIARY Most unfiltered style, t t “ ” f
Natural, unfiltered style f i t f hi threverts to “norm” of
infancy/youthof society of his youth (formative years)
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Some Key Cultural ValuesSome Key Cultural ValuesEgalitarian‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐Hierarcalg
Risk‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐Risk Aversion
Direct ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐IndirectCommunication Communication
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
OTHER KEY VALUESOTHER KEY VALUES
• Individualism vs CollectivismIndividualism vs Collectivism• Harmony vs Honesty• Task vs Relationship• Task vs Relationship• Value of TimeB th/ d Eith /• Both/and vs Either/or
• Locus of Control (personal accountability)• Perception of Self• Measure of Success
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
Cultural Values AppliedCultural Values Applied
• On each scale mark the following:On each scale mark the following:– Where you personally fallWhere your corporate culture tends to fall– Where your corporate culture tends to fall
– Where specific demographics in your workplace fallfall
• Ethnic• GenerationalGe e at o a• Gender• Vocation
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
Let’s Look at SpecificsLet s Look at Specifics
Egalitarian‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐Hierarchal
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
Let’s Look at SpecificsLet s Look at Specifics
Egalitarian‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐HierarchyEgalitarian Hierarchy
Risk‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐Risk Aversion
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
Let’s Look at SpecificsLet s Look at Specifics
Egalitarian‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐Hierarchyg y
Risk‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐Risk Aversion
Direct ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐IndirectCommunication Communication
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
Remember this story?Remember this story?John, the manager, asked Jose how many trucks he expected to receive and unload today.
Jose proceeded to explain all the contingencies whichJose proceeded to explain all the contingencies which may impact actual production numbers.
Al t 10 i t l t ft J h h d h hiAlmost 10 minutes later after John had shown his exasperation several times, he asked “just how many trucks?”
Can you identify some cultural influences?
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
Enhancing EffectivenessEnhancing Effectiveness
How would you advise John and Jose to behaveHow would you advise John and Jose to behave (communicate) differently in order to enhance their effectiveness?enhance their effectiveness?
U l l l l iUse some cultural language to explain.
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APPLICATION TO WORKPLACE
Egalitarian HierarchalEgalitarian HierarchalGiving
directionsdirections
Giving gfeedback
Asking for information
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APPLICATION TO WORKPLACE
Risk Risk AversionRisk Risk AversionGiving
directionsdirections
Giving feedback
A ki fAsking for information
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
APPLICATION TO WORKPLACE
Direct IndirectCommunication Communication
Giving directionsdirections
GivingGiving feedback
Asking for information
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Develop Your PlanDevelop Your Plan
CULTURAL ELEMENT MY ADAPTATIONCULTURAL ELEMENT MY ADAPTATION
Hierarchy
Risk
Communication
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011
THANK YOUTHANK YOUIf you:
– Have any questions??– Would like to discuss the topic in greater depth– Would like to schedule a diversity workshop y p– Or would just like to chat on the topic
Please contact me at todiversityandbeyond@gmail.comMobile: 972‐672‐2328Mobile: 972‐672‐2328
Todiversityandbeyond.blogspot.com (under construction)( )
Copyrighted Nancy Ackley Ruth, 2011