Learning Goals Explore their own communication style and

Learning Goals • Explore their own communication style and understand how culture influences communication; and • Identify various communication styles and communication barriers.

Communication “To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others. ” -Tony Robbins

Communication Effective communication is the meaningful exchange of information between two or more people.

Communication Today

Cross-Cultural Communication Sharing information with individuals whose cultural background is different than one’s own.

Cross Cultural Communication "He doesn't get it. " "She didn't really hear what I meant to say. ”

Essential Question How is culture shaping my interaction?

Cross-Cultural Communication “I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant!” ----Quote from a U. S. government official

Cross-Cultural Communication

Non-Verbal Communication • Gestures, Postures • Eye Contact • Space (proximity) • Touch (frequency, nature of contact)

Personal Space • Non-Contact Cultures • Northern Europe • North America • East Asia • Far East • Contact Cultures • South America • Mediterranean Region • Northern Africa • Eastern Europe • Middle East • Latin America

Universal Expressions Can you guess the 7 universal expressions?

Universal Facial Expressions

Communication Barriers • Physical barriers • Systemic barriers • Attitudinal barriers • Jargon or ambiguous words • Physiological barriers

Communication Barriers • Power and Powerlessness • Variations in Culture • Perceptions • Experiences • Majority and Minority • Race, Sexual Orientation, Age, • How does it feel to be a part of both groups?

Communication Barriers • Create disruptions • Reduces loyalty • Reduces confidence • Diminishes adherence

Self-Awareness He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened. - Lao Tzu

Navigating Cultural “Bumps” • Awareness of Self and Others • Acknowledgement • *Honest Validation • Negotiation • Action: Choices and Options

ETHNIC • E - Explanation • T - Treatment • H - Healers • N - Negotiation • I - Intervention • C - Collaboration

Communication Styles • Direct- Indirect • Elaborate-succinct • Personal-contextual • Instrumental-affective

Communication Styles Indirect Direct • Prefer precise, candid statements • Ambiguous, vagueness and hints • A = Let’s talk about how you feel about your parents? • A=Do you sometimes get angry with them? • B = OK • B=I’m not sure.

Communication Styles Elaborate • Tend to embellish language with metaphors, similes and adjectives • A = I bet you nearly blew a fuse when she told you who she was seeing • A = I would have been madder than a nest of hornets Succinct • Value the use of concise talk and silence • B = Yes, I was troubled. • B = I was quite upset

Elaborate • “The soles of my shoes are so thin, I can step on a dime and tell you whether its heads or tails. ” • “He’s high cotton. ” • What does this mean? • Can you think of others? ?

Communication Styles Personal • Relies on first-person pronouns and informality • Rank and status are ignored. • A=I was really stressed by the final exam. I hated it. Contextual Emphasizes one’s status and role. B = The exam was difficult.

Communication Styles Instrumental Affective • Outcome-oriented Process oriented • A = Mr. Chen, welcome to my office. I am eager to get started discussing your concerns. • A= Yes, it is. Now let’s get started. B = Is that a picture of a family on your desk? B = You must be very proud of your family.

Cross-Cultural Communication

Selena Webster-Bass, MPH The Voices Institute Cultural and Linguistic Competency Educator selena@voicesinst. org 904. 504. 9772