Interpersonal Communication Mentee Guide Week 4 The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

Peer-to-Peer Discussion What is interpersonal communication? *Please take a few minutes to discuss your opinions The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

Intercultural Communication Defined The sharing of information across different cultures and social groups We are always communicating. The very attempt not to communicate communicates something. The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

CommunicationVerbalNonverbal How do we communicate? Reflection: Think about how you communicate with the people in your life. The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

Interpersonal Communication The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

Types of Verbal Communication Words Tone of voice Verbal pauses The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

Types of Nonverbal Communication Types of nonverbal communication Gestures Emotion Body Language Posture Facial Expression Touch The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

How do you communicate? Think about a time when you communicated nonverbally or think about a time someone communicated with you in a nonverbal way. Think Was nonverbal communication an effective way to communicate? Why or why not? Share Mentor: How did you use nonverbal communication when you traveled abroad? Mentee: How might you use nonverbal communication when you travel abroad? Discuss The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

Communication is Contextual Psychological: Who you are and what do you bring to the interaction? This includes, your needs, desires, values, and personality. Situational: Where are you communicating? For example, an interaction that takes place in a classroom will be very different from one that takes place in a bar. Environmental: What are your surroundings? Think about the furniture, location, noise level, temperature, season, and time of day. Cultural: What are the norms of behavior? Think about learned behaviors and rules that affect the interaction. If you come from a culture (foreign or within your own country) where it is considered rude to make long, direct eye contact, you will out of politeness avoid eye contact. If the other person comes from a culture where long, direct eye contact signals trustworthiness, then miscommunication can occur. The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

Cultural Communication Game* Behavior 1.In this country, conversations occur at a close physical proximity. Moving away to establish distance is considered unfriendly. 2. In this country it is important not to shake hands or pass anything with your left hand, as this hand is used for hygiene purposes only. 3.In this country shaking one’s head from side to side actually signals agreement and interest in what is being said or expressed. It does not suggest disagreement or disapproval. Country or Area of the World Associated with the Behavior A. West Africa B. India C. Mexico *Please see the supplemental worksheet The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership Match the behavior with the country or area of the world it is associated with. The answer key is on the following slide.

Answer Key 1. Mexico 2. West Africa 3. India The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

Discussion: Cultural Interpersonal Communication Current Knowledge What do you know about the communication styles in the country you are traveling to? Think in terms of verbal and non-verbal communication. Needed Knowledge What do you still need to learn about in terms of interpersonal communication (refer to slides 6 & 7) in your host country? Action Plan Before going abroad how will you learn about interpersonal communication in your host country? Mentor, please share your experience with interpersonal communication during your study abroad experience. The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

References Cultural Business Etiquette. (2000). U.S. Department of Commerce. Retrieved from, bc00785ddf/ beeacc58a85256eb ?OpenDocument bc00785ddf/ beeacc58a85256eb ?OpenDocument Murrell, A. (2008). Interpersonal Communications PowerPoint Presentation. The University of Pittsburgh. The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership