1. Impact of Cultural Diversity on Communications
Lecture 6: Effective Communications Skills

2. Diversity in our Communities
U.S. populations is getting older
More women are now in the workforce
Hispanics and Asians are fastest growing minorities in our nations
Immigration adds hundreds of people from other cultures
Many languages spoken (few in common)
Cultural values differ
Family, society & work ethics may vary depending on country of origin
Lifestyles now play a role in our communties

3. Prejudice
Definition: An adverse judgment or preconceived opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts, not based on reason or actual experience
Creates barriers to communications by setting up negative assumptions, without supporting facts, about the intelligence, capabilities, background, knowledge, and experience of the individual(s)
Blocks listening by creating negative expectations about what the speaker will say.
Blocks speaking by creating a negative expectation that what is said will not be understood or accepted

4. Stereotyping
Definition: a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or group and applying this conventional, formulaic, and conception, opinion, or image to that group or an individual
Although not always negative, creates barriers to communication by making judgments about the intelligence, capabilities, background, knowledge, and experience of the individual based on assumed knowledge about the group to which the speaker or listener belongs.
Ignores unique capabilities of the individual in favor of assigning him or her the assumed characteristics of the group

5. Tips for communicating with people different from you
Accept cultural differences
Withhold judgment
Show respect
Empathize
Tolerate ambiguity
Look beyond the superficial
   
Be patient and persistent
Recognize your own cultural biases
Be flexible; emphasize common ground
Deal with the individual (not the group or culture)

6. Values
Values are: The enduring regard that something is held to as deserving for its importance, worth, or usefulness
Values are: Principles that guide day-to-day lives of individuals
Values are: Guides that provide direction in ambiguous situations and offer a rationale for decisions and actions

7. How People Communicate Personal Values
Through words and by modeling desired behaviors. For example:
Honesty
Openness
Communications
Thrift
Through the questions they ask (questions show peoples’ focus)

8. People communicate their personal values:
Through their reactions to problems and crises (the behavior of people under stress reinforces their commitment to their personal values and the values themselves)
Through what they reward in others
Through what they punish in others

9. People’s role in creating an ethical communications climate in their relationships
Relationship ethics: Applying ethical principles to:
How people conduct their relationships with others
How people treat others in their lives
How through their relationships, people interact with others in their surrounding community
The implementing of a relationship’s mission, goals and values into daily practice in their interpersonal relationships

10. Ethical communications requirements
Be knowledgeable about ethical issues and understand relationships values
Participate in the decision-making process regarding ethical issues in your relationships
Communicate decisions regarding ethical issues to people with whom you maintain relationships
Keep communications channels open for feedback information without fear of reprisals
Ensure relevant information is passed on to people in relationship with you so they can act on it

11. Stimulus Questions
What new communications skills do you think you will need to develop to function effectively in an increasingly diverse community?
How do you feel the globalization of communities and their citizens will affect interpersonal relationship ethics and values?

12. Stimulus Questions
What are some of the relationship “costs” when people do not handle prejudiced and/or stereotypical behavior appropriately?
What action do you think people should take when a relationship-value conflicts with a personal value?
It has been said that a relationship cannot be any more ethical than its least ethical member. If you agree with this statement, what kinds of responsibilities do you have to ensure ethical standards are maintained in your relationships?