Sunday, September 23, 2012

Effective Communication & Cultural Diversity



Do you find yourself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures? As I thought about culture diversity that I see in my colleagues, neighborhood, workplace and my family I would definitely have to say yes,  I do find myself communicating differently with the various groups and cultures.
If yes, in what ways do you communicate differently?Well, my family is culturally diverse in the following way: there’s Panamanian, Puerto Rican, Korean, Black, White, therefore communication between the various cultures tend to vary. My sister in law who is Puerto Rican and me(Panamanian)may speak Spanish to each other, I communicate with my niece’s son in sign language although he can talk, because his language was delayed, his first language was sign language. I communicate with the others in English.
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.
The three strategies that I could use to help me communicate more effectively with my family members are: 1) first and foremost would be an effective listener. When we all get together it can be quite chaotic ,with everyone talking ,yet no one is actually just sitting and listening to what is being said by the other family members .I have found out that listening is  something we as a family need to practice more. 2) Adaptibility-. I try to show respect to my other family members cultures. Our family get together usually involve a variety of foods from all  the cultures, we are encouraged to try the various foods and at times some family members tend to make negative comments about the food, not considering the person who made the food feelings The older family members are set in their ways and like their food cook a certain way with certain seasoning,.3) Flexibility- There is a time and place to talk about issues and concerns, family gatherings is not a time to air out family dirty laundry.  

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