What are some core values from each side of the interaction? What are their similarities? What are their differences? What are some core perceptions or understanding from each side of the interaction? How are they different or similar?
Here's an example of an intercultural communication interaction between two individuals from different cultures that highlights important cultural differences influencing the outcome.
Scenario: Mary (from the United States) and Ahmed (from Saudi Arabia) are associates working on a project together.
During a team meeting, Mary suggests a new approach to solving a problem. She demonstrates her ideas assertively, sketching the potential benefits and contesting the existing strategies. She wanted her colleagues, including Ahmed, to provide immediate feedback and face-to-face discussions to reinforce the idea.
Ahmed, esteeming his cultural norms, avoids countering Mary directly in front of the group. Instead, he remains silent and observes. Mary interprets his silence as an agreement and presumes that he has no objections to her proposal. Feeling validated, she proceeds to implement the idea without further consultation.
Later, during a private conversation, Ahmed expresses his uneasiness about Mary's proposal to their supervisor. He explains his uneasiness, highlighting potential risks and proposing alternative solutions. The supervisor, unaware of the underlying cultural dynamics, is stunned by Ahmed's feedback since it counters the positive impression he received from Mary during the team meeting.
What are some core values from each side of the interaction? What are their similarities? What are their differences? What are some core perceptions or understanding from each side of the interaction? How are they different or similar?
Step by step
Solved in 6 steps
