The document discusses diversity and improving communication across differences. It notes that people come from different backgrounds and experiences and effective communicators can adapt their messages. The goal is to identify differences that inhibit communication and find strategies to improve effectiveness. It then discusses understanding diversity in terms of gender, age, ethnicity and sexual orientation. It provides examples of how these groups can differ in communication styles and values. The document emphasizes understanding differences, avoiding stereotypes, and treating others with respect in order to improve intercultural communication.

2. “Diversity Backlash”

3. “Why do we have to study
these foreign languages?”

4. “Why are they shoving all
this stuff from other cultures
down our throats?”

5. “I’m tired of all this politically
correct nonsense. We’re all
Americans, aren’t we?”

6. We all come together with
different backgrounds
and experiences.

7. Effective communicators
appropriately adapt their
messages to others.

8. OUR GOAL:
• Identify the differences that inhibit
communications.
• Find strategies that can improve the
effectiveness of our communication.

9. Understanding Diversity
• Gender / Sex
• Age
• Ethnicity
• Sexual Orientation

10. Understanding Diversity
• Gender / Sex
• Age
• Ethnicity
• Sexual Orientation

12. Men - Often communicate to report
Women - Often communicate to
establish rapport.

13. Men – talk to accomplish or
complete a task.
Women – use conversation to
establish and maintain
relationships.

14. Men Fix Things

15. The Translator

16. Understanding Diversity
• Gender / Sex
• Age
• Ethnicity
• Sexual Orientation

17. The generation gap

18. Understanding Diversity
• Gender / Sex
• Age
• Ethnicity
• Sexual Orientation

19. Understanding Diversity
• Gender
• Age
• Ethnicity
• Sexual orientation

20. National Geographic

21. Understanding Diversity
• Gender / Sex
• Age
• Ethnicity
• Sexual Orientation

22. “LGBTQ”

23. Facebook:
56 ways to describe gender
& sexual orientation

24. How to you deal with people
who are different than you?

25. SOAP

26. Modern Family

27. So... How do we adapt?
• Understand the differences that exist
• Sometimes we unintentionally offend
through subtle misuse of language
• Choose your words thoughtfully
• Avoid stereotyping
• Treat others with RESPECT

28. Culture & Communication
We must understand our differences

29. Intercultural Communication...
occurs when individuals from different
cultures communicate.

30. Cultural Differences

31. Culture Shock...
confusion, anxiety, and stress from
encountering a culture that has little in
common with your own.

32. Cultural Values...
whatever a given group of people values
or appreciates.

33. Cultural Values...
• Individualistic vs Collectivistic
• Decentralized vs Centralized Power
• Uncertainty vs Certainty
• Masculine vs Feminine
• Short-Term vs Long Term Orientation
to Time

34. Ethnocentrism...
Belief that one’s own cultural
traditions and assumptions are
superior to those of others.

35. Stereotyping...
Placing a person or group of persons
into an inflexible, all-encompassing
category.

36. Stereotyping...
• All Russians like Vodka.
• All men like Pro Wrestling.
• All Asians are good at math.
• All women love to shop.
• All university profs are democrats

37. REMEMBER OUR GOAL:
• Identify the differences that inhibit
communications.
• Find strategies that can improve the
effectiveness of our communication.

38. Acknowledge differences...
Don’t assume that everyone does things
the same way you do or holds the same
attitudes, beliefs, or values.

39. Develop your skills at being
others oriented...
Focus on the needs and concerns of
others while maintaining your personal
integrity.

40. Empathize...
Try and imagine how you would feel if
you were in the other person’s position.