This document summarizes a seminar on culture and power. The seminar will examine how cultural factors impact employee success, policies, systems and programs. It will explore perceptions of power across cultures and how culture influences communication and relationship conflicts. Participants will learn about cultural dimensions and leadership styles to accommodate different power distance cultures. A panel of diversity leaders from major companies will discuss cultural challenges and strategies in the workplace.
Cultural Factors Impacting Employee Success & Organizational Policies
1. CULTURE AND POWER!
Perceptions, cross-cultural
communication and other cultural
factors that impact employee success,
policies, systems and programs
Saturday, February 20, 2016
9:45am – 11:15am (2501)
2. Culture and Power!
Perceptions, cross-cultural communication and other cultural factors
that impact employee success, policies, systems and programs
The perception of power is a cultural phenomenon. Different cultures
accept the dynamic of power in very different ways.
Culture is a powerful dynamic that helps us understand and be more
specific about relationship conflicts and triumphs.
At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:
a. Share a construct for thinking of culture and power
a. Identify core issues and strategies to manage communication diversity
b. Explore potential impact of language on confidence and perceived value
c. Examine leadership styles and principles to accommodate power distance
cultural factors
d. Explore workplace communication and effectiveness
b. Listen to leaders share Cultural challenges and triumphs
3. 3
Denise Evans
Vice President
Women & Diversity B2B Marketing
IBM Corporation
Jodi Turner
Associate Director,
Multicultural Academic Services
UNC Charlotte
Rick Wilson
Senior Systems Engineer &
Project Manager
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Janese Murray
Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion
Exelon Corporation
Panelists
Moderator
4. Areas of Examination
• Relatable Cultural Theories
– Cultural Dimensions
– Cultural Attachment
• Impact of Culture
– Organizational Culture
– Individual Culture
• Cultural Consequences on Leadership
• Selected Strategies of Leadership
Development
4
5. Theoretical Background
Cultural Dimensions Theory
• Power Distance Index (PDI)
• Individualism (IDV) Collectivism
• Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI)
• Masculinity (MAS) vs. Femininity
• Long-term vs. Short-term Orientation
• Indulgence vs. Restraint (IVR)
5
6. Cultural Attachment Theory
6
• Culture plays a major role in determining
family, gender, and occupational roles.
• It greatly influences interpersonal
community within the family and
community.
Learning Objective: Increase professional development, awareness, and communication strategies
The perception of power is a cultural phenomenon. Different cultures accept the dynamic of power in very different ways. Some accept unequally distributed power as a natural part of the professional world, where other cultures engage and view power to be equal among contributors.
This cultural concept is known as power distance. When in a high power distance culture the relationship between bosses and subordinates is one of dependence. When in a low power distance society, the relationship between bosses and subordinates is one of interdependence.
Knowledge of how you and your team perceive power and accept structure will impact the ease of communication and affect leadership style choices. Culture is a powerful dynamic that helps us understand and be more specific about relationship conflicts and triumphs.
At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:
a. Listen to leaders as they share Cultural challenges and triumphs.
b. Identify core issues and strategies to manage communication diversity.
c. Explore potential impact of language on confidence and perceived value.
d. Examine leadership styles and principles to accommodate power distance cultural factors.
e. Explore workplace communication and effectiveness.