Activity 41: Cultural Values & Communication (Part 1)

Introduction

This discussion asks you to analyze the impact of cultural differences on business conversations and devise ways to improve understanding through cultural awareness of differences. It builds on the weekly learning goal of developing a culturally intelligent strategy for communicating with people from different cultures.

From the first moment, we begin talking with another person, we are opening the channels of communication to form an interpersonal relationship. “Relationship” is broadly defined as two people interacting in an interpersonal, one-on-one communication setting. However, cultural differences in communication styles affect perceptions and hinder understanding in relationships.

Post Instructions 

For this forum read the Cultural Conflicts section of the Script for Cultural Awareness published by Big World Media (pages 2-3). The section features a conversation between a U.S American on assignment in a Middle Eastern country and another employee of Middle Eastern origin. After reading the script, you will explore the importance of understanding other people’s values and see how different styles of communication based on cultural value dimensions can hinder understanding.

While people often share common values, they sometimes prioritize them differently. Brian and Ahmed both stress productivity; however, it’s comparatively more important for Brian based on his culture’s value dimension stressing competition. This is true for communication styles as well. Being direct is more efficient, but it can be disrespectful. Indirect communication is more diplomatic but can frustrate and mislead.

In low power distance cultures, such as the United States, the emphasis is on direct communication. High power distance cultures, which are more hierarchical, do not want to appear to challenge authority and are more indirect in their communication styles. It’s easy to spot differences in appearance, but our values and priorities are often hidden within. You need to cultivate awareness and sensitivity to understand our world’s diverse cultures, such as the Middle East in this business scenario. This is where an understanding of cultural value dimensions and differences becomes important, such as time orientation, low vs. high context, direct vs. indirect communication, individual vs. collective cultures, competitive vs. cooperative cultures and others discussed in the readings this week.

For your post to this activity forum, take the role of one of Brian’s friends or one of Ahmed’s friends.

Writing as Brian’s Friend

Brian tells you about his conversation with Ahmed; he asks for your opinion and advice. You gently cue Brian into the mistakes that he made and give him some suggestions for better preparing himself next time.

Writing as Ahmed’s Friend

Ahmed approaches you about the conversation; he feels like he failed to explain his culture to Brian. What should he have told Brian about his values and beliefs? You also give him some advice on how he could have communicated with Brian without offending him.

Regardless of your perspective, include terms and concepts from all of the week’s readings to support your ideas. After addressing the prompt, write a few sentences specifying examples from the readings that helped you to better understand the cultural value differences that Ahmed and Brian are facing.