Week 1- Understanding Culture and Communication.pptx

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1. Understanding Culture and Communication

2. UNDERSTANDING CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION What is culture? Culture is defined as the complex system of values, traits, morals, customs shared by a society.

3. UNDERSTANDING CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION Key elements of culture Context Individualism Time orientation Power distance Communication style

4. CONTEXT What is context? Context is defined as the stimuli, environment, or ambience surrounding an event (1976, Edward. T. Hall) Hall arranged cultures on a continuum from low to high in relation to context.

5. CONTEXT Low- context cultures Communicators depend little on the context and shared experience to convey their meaning. Messages are explicit, and listeners rely solely on written and spoken words. Messages should be objective, professional and efficient. Words are taken literally. Some low-context cultures include: The United States, Canada, Australia, The Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland

6. CONTEXT High- context cultures Communicators assume that listeners do not need background information. Communicators emphasize interpersonal relationship, non-verbal expressions, physical setting, and social context. Communication cues tend to be transmitted by posture, voice inflection, gestures and facial expression. Some high-context cultures include: Japan, India, Indonesia, Korea, Kenya and Russia

7. CONTEXT Examples of High- and Low-Context Scenarios Scenario Low-Context High-Context Making new friends Connections can be made relatively quickly. People are expected to ask each other personal questions and to be explicit about their intentions. Friendships often take a long time to develop as people build trust. The nature of the relationship may not be discussed in explicit terms. Giving an instruction Upon entering a room to find it cold, asking the other person in the room, ''Could you please close the window?'' Expressing the request that the window be closed indirectly, as in, ''It's a bit chilly in here.'' Saying ''no'' to a request In low-context cultures, it is acceptable to answer with things like ''No,'' or ''I'm sorry, that doesn't work for me.'' In high-context cultures, a direct ''no'' is sometimes rude. Other options might include ''That is difficult,'' or ''I will think about it.''

8. INDIVIDUALISM VS COLLECTIVISM Individualism Low-context cultures tend to value individualism. They believe that initiative and self-assertion result in personal achievement. They uphold individual action and personal responsibility. They expect much freedom in their personal lives. .

9. INDIVIDUALISM VS COLLECTIVISM Individualism .

10. INDIVIDUALISM VS COLLECTIVISM Collectivism High-context cultures are more collectivist. They emphasize membership in an organizations, groups and teams. They embrace group values, duties and decisions. They resist independence since it fosters competition and confrontation. Business decisions are made collectively.

11. INDIVIDUALISM VS COLLECTIVISM Collectivism

12. CULTURE CONVERGENCE Cultural convergence is a trend toward greater global similarity in higher individualism and lower power distance.

13. POWER DISTANCE Power distance index measures how people in different societies cope with inequality (the way they relate to more powerful individuals) In high-power distance countries , subordinates expect formal hierarchies and embrace relatively authoritarian, paternalistic power relationships. In low-power distance countries , subordinates consider themselves as equals of their supervisors. They voice opinions and participate in decision making.

14. COMMUNICATION STYLES Words are important especially in contracts and negotiation Straightforward, direct Low- context culture Surrounding context is more important than words Contracts are seen as statements of intention High- context culture

15. ENSURING CULTURAL EFFECTIVENESS Avoiding Ethnocentrism and Stereotyping Ethnocentrism is the belief in the superiority of one’s own ethnic group. Ethnocentrism causes people to judge others by their own values. Stereotype is an oversimplified, rigid perception of a behavioral pattern or characteristic applied uncritically to groups. Stereotypes may be hurtful and cause misunderstanding.

16. ENSURING CULTURAL EFFECTIVENESS Tolerance and Open-mindedness Tolerance means learning about those who are not like us. Be receptive to new experiences. Tolerance leads to understanding and acceptance. Be empathetic, trying to see the world through another’s eyes. Be less judgmental and eager to seek common ground.

17. ENSURING CULTURAL EFFECTIVENESS Successful Oral Communication with Intercultural Audiences

18. ENSURING CULTURAL EFFECTIVENESS Successful Oral Communication with Intercultural Audiences

19. ENSURING CULTURAL EFFECTIVENESS Successful Oral Communication with Intercultural Audiences

20. ENSURING CULTURAL EFFECTIVENESS Successful Written Communication with Intercultural Awareness

21. ENSURING CULTURAL EFFECTIVENESS Successful Written Communication with Intercultural Awareness

22. ENSURING CULTURAL EFFECTIVENESS Communicating in Diverse Workplace How to improve communication and interaction in a diverse workplace? Seek training Intercultural communication, team building, and conflict resolution are skills that can be learned. Understanding the value of difference. Diversity makes an organization innovative and creative. Sameness hinders critical thinking. Learn about your cultural self. Travelling makes you learn not only about other cultures but about your own. Be ready to adapt to change.

23. ENSURING CULTURAL EFFECTIVENESS Communicating in Diverse Workplace How to improve communication and interaction in a diverse workplace? Make fewer assumptions. Do not assume that everyone shares the same beliefs, perceptions, sexual orientations, and attitudes toward marriages. Build on similarities. Look for common ground in shared experience, mutual goals, and similar values.