Business Communication Chapter 5 Adapting Differences Context This Describes Four Social Styles And

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Chapter 5: Adapting to Differences

Chapter Context

This chapter describes four social styles and strategies for adapting your communication to

others’ social styles, cultural value dimensions, and communication strategies for adapting

Outcome-based Outline

Outcome

Learning Objectives

Critical Thinking

5.1 Examine how an

awareness of the three basic

personality traits is required

for effective communication

5.2 Explain why

understanding and adapting

to cultural diversity is

important for effective

communication

5.3 Analyze how being aware

of the communication

differences between men and

women increases leadership

effectiveness

Communication

5.4 Describe strategies to

overcome generational

differences in communication

Discussion Question Bank

This discussion question bank provides a listing of discussion questions (1-2 per module),

which are included for in-class use.

Module

Discussion Question(s)

5.1 Adapting to Social Style

Differences

1. Consider the pattern of communication behaviors

your supervisor displays while interacting with

you. Analyze the type of social style that the

supervisor displays. Why do you think his or her

social style is unique?

2. How does one analyze if they are assertive or

responsive? Why is self-analysis helpful in

identifying the cultural style and perception of a

5.2 Adapting to Cultural

Differences

1. Why do communicators heavily rely on context?

Explain the difference between a high-context

culture and a low-context culture. How do

nonverbal cues play an important role in high–

context cultures when interpreting messages?

2. What strategies can be followed to effectively

interact in an international and multicultural

work environment? How do culture, values, and

perspectives shape a message that is sent?

5.3 Adapting to Gender

Differences

1. Why is gender awareness essential in a

workplace? How does it improve the

effectiveness of organizational communication?

2. What strategies are necessary when adapting to

gender differences in the workplace? What are

the conversational rituals followed by men and

women in the workplace?

5.4 Adapting to Generational

Differences

1. Evaluate why comparing and contrasting is

considered the best way to understand

generational communication.

2. How should the older generation adapt to the

working style of the younger generation, and

vice versa? How does this adjustment help

smooth out the flow of work? What strategies

should each generation use to learn from one

another?

Research Assignments

The following research assignments pertain to the main topics and/or themes of the chapter.

Please respond by writing a paper consisting of 1,000-1,500 words.

Working Effectively Through Differences

Observe the social style of the people you communicate with in the workplace and compare

them with your preferred social style. Write a report analyzing the importance of style

flexing in a workplace and how adapting to the cultural values and differences changes

Experiential Activity

United Nations General Assembly

Goal

•

To gain understanding of different cultures

Time

Home

work

Group work

Procedure

1. Divide the class into groups according to nationalities. Have the groups research

the culture to which they have been assigned as homework using Hofstede’s five

cultural dimensions: Power

2. Nationalities could include countries from, European, Middle Eastern, Asian, South

3. On the day of the General Assembly, have them address a current,

4. Have them sit fishbowl fashion (center of the room) so all can view the

meeting. Observers should be aware of cultures being represented. After

Discussion

What were the specific differences between collectivistic and individualistic

cultures? What were the differences between masculine and feminine

cultures?