Cultural Diversity and Communication Barriers

Cultural diversity can be defined as the cultural differences that exist between people such as, language, traditions, and the religious beliefs along with the way society carries itself. It is inevitable in the United States to notice the wide variety of cultures that with the years have come to share this land with Americans.

These barriers are found in the organizational setting and they can be broadly divided into barriers from employees and barriers from employers. Barriers from employees are low levels of motivation, refusal to cooperate as well as strained relationships with he employer. On the other hand, barriers from employers include inadequate trust in their workers, inadequate knowledge of clues of a nonverbal nature such as posture as well as facial expressions etc. For effective communication to take place, the listener can enhance his listening skills. Fully developed listening skills guarantee the successful receipt of the message that is heard (Schwartz 2001). Another way of enhancing effective communication includes avoiding multiple communication channels and doing away with the various intermediaries.

Productivity in the new culture is experienced to an extremely positive extent. Business dealings and negotiations become secondary nature to the expatriate, and the expatriate’s journey becomes a great success in the perspective of their employing company.

Different backgrounds also affect how people perceive body language and tone of voice, but also how their confidence and self-esteem allow them to communicate too. Social status can also hinder communication, because people may not be able to read written communication, or be introduced to holding a conversation with someone.

1.1a Explain what is meant by Diversity Diversity is a reality created by individuals and groups from a broad spectrum of demographic and philosophical variations. It is important to support and protect diversity because of valuing individuals and groups free from prejudice, and by fostering a climate where equity and mutual respect are intrinsic. "Diversity" means more than just acknowledging and/or tolerating difference. Diversity is a set of conscious practices that involve: •Understanding and appreciating interdependence of humanity, cultures, and the natural environment. •Practicing common respect for qualities and experiences that are different from our own.

For the most part, culture is the shared of basic expectations learned by a group as it find possible alternatives or ways to solve its problems. On the contrary, diversity as stated in the textbook, is the different values and cultures among members, and is more than simply an understanding of black versus white. For instance, culture could by identify through artifacts which include visible signs on the wall, how people display emotions, and the ways people address one another. Although, diversity are differences among people that could impact a work environment due to a social identity. For example, there is an increasing number of women and people of color in the workforce.

Slang: someone saying they have a problem with their waterworks could mean their plumbing system, but also means a problem going to the toilet. Use of slang and other region specific terminology can cause a barrier to effective communication. When two people from different regions or countries communicate, they can use slang and jargon specific to their region which can cause confusion in their communication. Body language: Poor body language is a huge barrier in effective communication, additionally it is noticed when negative body language is given to the audience when they are talking such as looking the other way in a conversation.

Leaders who are well versed in the foregoing leader-follower communication concepts will also be successful in global and in cross-cultural environments (Rentfrow, 2007). For example, when leaders: (1) model willingness to engage others; (2) are sensitive to differences/diversity; (3) promote the establishment relationships beyond their immediate environment; and (4) eliminate organizational barriers, these principles are universal and

Cultural diversity continues to become more common in the workplace. Diversity refers to qualities and features that are different from our own. These differences include race, gender, age, personality, talents, and nationalities. Diversity includes how one identifies themselves as well as how others perceive one. The ability to appreciate the qualities that make us individuals and embrace those who are dissimilar can help increase performance within an organization and prevent conflict.

Barriers to effective communication include many things such as lack of awareness of cultural differences, language barriers, cultural biases, ethnocentrism and inactive listening.

Secondly, cultural diversity refers to the co-presence of different cultural systems within the same geopolitical boundaries. This applies to Canada, which has witnessed an increasing immigration population. Having various cultural groups within a country will eventually provide the people with different perspectives.

Cultural diversity is the understanding that within a given society, there are many cultures and backgrounds being represented in that society. Diversity can be represented by the different languages being spoken natively or by racial and ethnic orientation. The diversity of cultures is what allows for an exchange of ideas, goods and values from one culture to another. Such diversities within cultures can only exist if they are maintained and are seen as equally as important as any other. Cultural diversity is also ever changing the landscape of the United States as we are welcoming more immigrants.

Although employers generally feel justified in denying immigrants employment based on the needs of their businesses, immigrants have regularly filed discriminating lawsuits against these companies since the 1980’s under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which protects immigrants from being discriminated against based on their national origin (Texas Law Review, 20xx, p. 1496). Title VII has been used to litigate against employers who institute English-only rules as non-native English immigrants equate this to national origin discrimination (Texas Law review, 20XX, p. 1496). It seems that under the civil rights act of 1964, these individuals would have a legitimate claim of discrimination but despite the strong links, courts rarely rule in favor of the plaintiffs in these cases. The courts find that there is not significant harm caused to the plaintiff or sufficient business reasons were laid forth by the employer as reasons to justify its decision (Texas Law Review, 20xx, p. 1496)

You comment about “communication is needed globally to make the world work” stuck a cord with me because we usually think of communication occurring in English or possible Spanish. However, I just read an article entitles “Anchorage Schools Lead Nation in Diversity” and they are referring to ethnicity. According to this article the state of Alaska claims top honors in ethnicity diverse school. They ranked top three high schools national for diverse populations are in the Anchorage School district. Also Anchorage School District had six out of ten middle schools with diverse population. Plus the elementary school in Anchorage claims nineteen out twenty of the most diverse elementary schools in the nation. We could open up our own United

Cross-cultural communication is the process of exchanging meaningful and unambiguous information across cultural boundaries, in a way that preserves mutual respect and minimizes antagonism, that is, it looks at how people from differing cultural backgrounds endeavour to communicate. The study of cross-cultural communication was originally found within businesses and the government both seeking to expand globally. Communication is interactive, so an important influence on its effectiveness is our relationship with others. All communication is cultural -- it draws on ways we have learned to speak and give nonverbal messages. We do not always