Communication Among Cultures

There is a wide range of cultural diversity within my community, workplace, and family.   Their differences are from many aspects such as race, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, and the list goes on.  After reflecting on my history of interactions, I do find that I tend to communicate differently with individuals from different groups and cultures. 

Communicating differently with individuals from different groups and cultures is not something that I do intentionally.  I believe there are many people that also do the same and aren't even aware of the fact that they are communicating differently.  

I can think of a couple of examples where I have had to tread lightly with a group of my older, more tenured teachers.  These are the teachers that are set in their ways and do not adapt well to change.  Whenever there is a change within our organization, I approach this particular group of teachers differently than my other short term teachers.  Now that I think about it, information is information, and presentation can be the determining factor of how the information is received.    The teachers flying off the handle really is not an option.  Insubordination is just that, insubordination, no matter who you are and how long you have been employed.

I also tend to communicate differently with members of my family.  I am more direct and straight to the point with my mom's side of the family.  I am more reserved when I am communicating with my dad's side of the family.  I am realizing this revelation as I am completing this assignment.  I am not sure why I am more reserved and quieter when dealing with my paternal side of the family.  I am very comfortable with my relatives on my mom's side of the family because they are very kind and nurturing.  They embrace and accept everyone!  My dad's family appears to be more judgmental.  I would just rather greet them with a smile because I never know what they are really thinking about me in their heads.  Frankly, I don't think I ever want to know! My dad's family just has a different culture than my mother's side of the family.  I love them all though!

Based on what I have learned this week, the three strategies that I am going to use to help me communicate more effectively with the people that I am struggling with are:

1). Identify with social roles, a set of expected behaviors that is associated with people in a particular position and be consciously aware of the of the rules that govern a social episode like my personal communication (Vuckovic, 2008)

2). Take the time out for self reflection, and think about myself, my past, present, and future.  Communication success depends on being cognisant of the roles and identities one embodies at a given time and their influence on behavior (Vuckovic, 2008).

3). Utilizing the Platinum Rule in communicating with others, such as my colleagues in my workplace and my family. It is imperative that I remain in touch with the beliefs and perspectives of everyone and provide every attempt to communicate without differences in order to be an effective early childhood professional. 

References

 Vuckovic, A. (2008). Inter-cultural communication: A foundation of communicative action. Multicultural Education and Technology Journal, 2(1), 47–59.