A202SAM Effective Communication Skills 2

.docx

School

Health Services Academy *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

3008

Subject

Communications

Date

Nov 24, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by jonnajemmie

Running head: A202SAM EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS 2 1 A202SAM EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS 2 Student’s Name Instructor’s Name Institution Course Due Date

A202SAM EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS 2 2 A202SAM Effective Communication Skills 2 Coursework One (LO1 and LO2) The following case study is an outline of a miscommunication scenario that occurred between myself and Rio, a Chinese co-worker. My task, as a marketing manager, was to discuss important details of a marketing campaign with Rio. Rio is an inherent Chinese speaker with professional marketing skills. He has gained immense exposure working with different individuals across the world. However, despite this exposure, Rio lacks significant communication skills. The main concern occurred when we were pointing out the significance of the project and I suggested that we could make a few amendments. My intention was to improve the relevance of the project to make it more successful. Although Rio listened carefully to my suggestions, he only responded by nodding. Rio did not provide further details or opinions to show his approval or rejection of the proposal. I became unsatisfied with his lack of engagement because I was expecting to have a thorough scrutiny of what our project will entail. As a result, I requested another meeting with Rio the following day to raise these concerns. He appeared frustrated with my reaction. He expressed that in Chinese culture, nodding the head is not a definitive answer. Also, a “yes” is not a sign that you agree with someone. Rio added that it is unusual in Chinese culture for a person to directly disagree with something. Observing and maintaining relationships is one of the critical ways that enhance effective communication (Gamble & Gamble, 2013). Therefore, Rio’s silence did not reflect his lack of engagement with me. Clearly, the miscommunication between Rio and me is connected to different reasons, including disparities in cultural prospects and styles. Western cultures allow individuals to express themselves directly and reasonably. On the contrary, communication in Chinese culture is more reserved and incidental. This is a problem that often leads to misinterpretations because the recipient may have a diverse perception regarding the lack of engagement and consider it as a disagreement (Nishimura et al., 2008). Another concern was our diverse expectations about how to participate and engage in discussions. Western cultures invite active engagement and participation in discussions. The Chinese culture encourages observation and listening before engaging in a discussion. While this is a good idea, more often than not, recipients tend to have a wrong interpretation of the sender’s lack of participation. The use of non-verbal cues when communicating also contributed to ineffective communication between Rio and me. The Chinese culture allows the use of non-verbal cues but in a more subtle and reserved manner.

A202SAM EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS 2 3 This is contrary to the Western cultures that allow the use of facial expressions and gestures to stress opinions or emphasize an idea (Van Dyne et al., 2012). From the concept of cultural dimensions theory, it is possible to understand the lack of effective communication between Rio and I. Hofstede’s cultural dimensions or values offer a framework whereby sociologists can explain the cultural effects on the values of members and how the values connect with individual behaviours in a specific culture (Schooler & Hofstede, 1983). According to this theory, different cultures tend to have specific styles of communicating based on their beliefs and values (Merkin, 2000). As a result, this influences how they interact and associate with others. The cultural disparities between Rio and I led to communication differences, which ultimately led to a communication breakdown. Another important concept can be derived from Hall’s context theory, which provides that different cultures behave and communicate differently (Hall, 2017). This theory suggests that individuals from low-context cultures communicate explicitly while those from high-context cultures communicate implicitly. Western cultures are usually low-context, which signifies their explicit communication style. However, Chinese culture is high-context, implying that their communication is implicit through verbal cues. The disparities in our styles of communication created misunderstandings because I was not able to interpret the supposed message as conveyed by Rio. Different communication strategies can be used to help acquire a better comprehension in the future and eliminate the cultural disparities mentioned above. One of the strategies is creating a rapport that enhances the trust and understanding of the involved parties. This idea is critical in intercultural communication and could be achieved if individuals show an open interest in understanding the values, beliefs, and culture of the other person (Macintosh, 2009). More so, individuals need to be aware of the cultural values and norms of other people. Comprehending these values and norms is significant in avoiding misunderstandings. This strategy can be achieved if individuals research the culture and seek feedback from their concerned culture (Ramirez Marin et al., 2019). Being aware of the non-verbal cues used by others is another strategy that can help increase understanding between individuals. Paying attention to non-verbal expressions such as tonal variation, gestures, and facial cues can help convey the intended meaning in different cultures (Phutela, 2015). If individuals are mindful of such cues, it is possible to eliminate misunderstandings. Additionally, individuals need to employ active listening as a catalyst to increase communication. Rather than concentrating on their expectations, individuals could pay attention to the reaction shown in response to their

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help