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Enhancing our Communication Skills
(Diversity Action Steps)
- Expect multicultural misunderstanding to sometimes occur.
- Recognize that our best intentions may be undermined by old assumptions.
- Catch ourselves in some of these assumptions in order to communicate more clearly and fairly.
- Ask “What’s going on here?” when a communication problem arises. Be willing to change gears or communication styles if necessary.
- Learn about the cultural styles and values of different groups; understand and appreciate individual and group differences.
- Don’t generalize about individuals because of their particular culture; individual differences exist within any group.
- Test for understanding if unsure about being understood.
- Invite others to be included in discussion and decision-making.
- Adapt communication styles appropriate for the situation, though perhaps “uncustomary” for us.
- Take responsibility for some of the successes and difficulties in interpersonal interactions—don’t blame the “other party” for all the problems.
- Avoid “hot buttons” or blunders such as ethnic jokes, sexualized expressions, racially based assumptions, inappropriate touching, stereotyped job assignments and causing public loss of face.
- Use “We’re all in this together” language to express trust and foster a spirit of good will and partnership.
- Investigate whether communication style or process, rather than content, is the cause of a conflict.
- Respond to the context and content of a person’s words and deeds, rather than assumed motives.
- Don’t be diverted by tone, style, accent, grammar or personal appearance; rather judge the merits of the statement or behavior.
- Give honest and practical feedback; don’t “walk on eggshells” or speak for a person from another culture.
- Be aware of non-verbal and para-verbal messages when communicating.
- Consciously seek out new multicultural relationships and challenges.
- Regardless of your self-perception, do not expect others to assume that you are trustworthy. Trust is an earned virtue that may have to be proven over time.
(Used with permission from Tulin Diversiteam Associates, Wyncote, PA / Adapted by the Indiana Interreligious Commission on Human Equality)
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