For your blog this week, complete the following activity:
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.
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.
I communicate with a lot of different people in my life because I have a lot of identities. Some of my roles are: wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, Sunday school teacher, business owner, teacher, student, and friend. I believe that I communicate differently with people based on the group that I am around. I talk to my sisters in a completely different way than I talk to my children. The way that I communicate with my grandchildren is not at all the way I communicate with the parents at my center. I know that when I am on the phone with a friend and get a call from a colleague, my voice changes, the words I use are different, and even my body language changes.
I think that part of effective communication is knowing who your audience is and finding ways to easily relate to them in order to communicate.
I hope to use some of the following strategies to help me become a more effective communicator:
1) Be very aware of the culture of others so that I don't say or do anything that is offensive to their beliefs and values.
2) Use the Platinum Rule when communicating with everyone.
3) Be aware of my body language and nonverbal communication and make sure that it matches my verbal communication.
Thanks for reading!
Hi Monette. I’m the same way when it comes to talking differently according to whom they may be. Even on the phone, our tone, volume and expressions change, but it all depends on the way you approach the call. I also agree with you on using the Platinum Rule because this technique gives us the opportunity to show others who we really are when it comes to our behavior and our attitude. Thanks for sharing…Jay
ReplyDeleteI agree that you have to know who you are to effectively communicate with others. We play many different roles and can't speak to everyone the same way. I like how you mentioned using the Platinum rule when talking to everyone because most people are quick to throw this rule out the window.
ReplyDeleteHello Monette,
ReplyDeleteSo much can go wrong when we meet and speak to others from other cultures. There are moments when you can feel like you are stepping on egg shells. Even with the best intentions something can go wrong.
I also see that today's technology has taken away the intimacy of communication so to speak. Texting is so part of communicating, and emails that one wonders the message behind just "ok", or "k" are they mad, blowing you off, etc. What will communication be like in the future? What do you think?
Monette, you are absolutely correct. I talk to members of my family in different ways as well. I talk to my mother differently than I talk to my sisters and brother, my co-workers differently than my family, and my children differently than my parents. Like, you I also like the platinum rule. I actually like it better than the original golden rule. I think it brings so much more meaning to how others should be treated.
ReplyDeleteMonette,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your posting! What you said about "knowing your audience" is such an important consideration when it comes to being effective in our communication. Also, I appreciate the strategies you've suggested for further improving your effective communication skills. Being sensitive, treating people as they would like to be treated, and being aware of your own communication- both verbal and nonverbal- are excellent ways to facilitate effective communication with others.
-Katelyn