COMMUNICATION DIFFERENCES IN THE WORKPLACE

Adjusting to American Communication

Effective Communication Process

Listen to the six step process in the following video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6o3fxJ5Q_RU

Four Communication Styles

Controller – Wants just the facts Can be perceived as bossy and insensitiveExtremely goal oriented & motivated to get things done

Promoter-Lots of fun, likes to talk endlesslyThey are enthusiastic, curious & expressive

Source:http://www.maximumadvantage.com

Supporter-Calm, cool & collectedPatient, competent and steady workersDo not like conflictGood listeners & usually have many friendsLikes to avoid offending anyone

Analyzer-Likes facts & figuresSometimes slow to make a decision without enough infoLoves lists, charts, graphs, and figuresSometimes seen as pessimisticOften seen as frugal or economical

Communicating with someone with the opposite communication style????

Controller- • Get to the point• Set & clarify goals

and objectives• Give conclusions,

solve problems and talk in terms of results not methods

Promoter-• Talk in terms of

people and stories, use lots of examples

• Leave plenty of time for talk and social niceties

Supporter-• Don’t come on too

strong• Earn their trust in

small steps• Provide plenty of

reassurance

Analyzer-• Be well prepared when

with talking when this person

• Have plenty of facts & figures

• Answer all their questions

• Give them time to think & analyze information

Different Ways of Communication

• Intrapersonal

• Interpersonal

• Public• Mass• Small Group• Non-verbal

Source: www.ehow.com

Each type of communication occurs in several different contexts- for example:• Starting &

maintaining relationships

• Accomplishing specific task

• Disseminating information

Communication Descriptions

• Intrapersonal- communication with yourself

• Interpersonal- communication with others

• Public- speaking to an audience to inform or persuade

Source: www.ehow.com

• Mass- sending a message to many receivers at once.

• Small Group- 5-10 people communicate to accomplish a task or fulfill need for companionship or support

• Non-verbal- communication does not include words- people use their bodies & eye contact

Different Ways of Communicating - No Problem!

Differences present challenges in workplace

Communication styles and ways of relating to others – influenced by many factors-

One major factor- CultureHigh- Context vs Low-Context

Source: http://smallbusiness.chron.com

High-Context Communication- Eastern-based & some European cultures

• Relies on relationships-

• Use sublet & implicit messaging

Low-Context Communication- Western-European based cultures

• Relies explicitly on spelling out instructions, rules, directions and expectations.

• Important to follow instructions as given.

Communication Tools for Understanding Cultural Differences

Low-Context communicators with High-Context listeners be aware of:

• Nonverbal messages & gestures are important as what’s said

• Face-saving and tact are important- need to be balanced

• Building good relationship, is important, use creative thinking as alternatives to problem-solving

Source: www.beyondintractability.org

High-Context communicators with Low-Context listeners be aware of:

• “Hears” message as spoken, not always understand layers of meaning- Indirect cues

• Efficiency & effectiveness important to stay on task

• Direct questions & observations not meant to offend, but rather to clarify

Intercultural Communication requires time to learn how to communicate with

each other

Low-Context Communicator:

Direct

High-Context Communicator:

Indirect