Group presentation

Group presentation Topic : ADAPTING TO OTHERS Group members : Pieroperez-tristan RahirafizaDEh RonakPatwa Sayedalam SyedNasir

Topics to be discussED Barriers to Bridging Differences Assuming Superiority Assuming Similarity Stereotyping and Prejudice Different Communication Codes Adapting to Others Who are Different from You Seeking Information Listen and Ask Questions Tolerate Ambiguity Develop Mindfulness Become Other Oriented Adapt to Others

Introduction Barriers that increase the difference between people need to identify. Differences between people often breed misunderstanding which can lead to feeling distrust, suspicion, and even hostility. We need effective communication skills to overcome our differences. Identifying the causes of misunderstanding is a good first step to adapting to others.

Barriers to Bridging Differences • Assuming Superiority • Ethnocentrism is the attitude of cultural superiority. • Extreme ethnocentrism is the opposite of other oriented. • Superiority expects greater power and more control. • Differences of power breed grounds for mistrust and conflict. Image Source : http://stationarypilgrim.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/cultural-religious-diversity-blog-art3.jpg

Barriers to Bridging Differences • Assuming Similarity • It is erroneous to assume that others act and think as you do. • Focusing on superficial factors can lead to false impressions. • We not only see the world differently but we express those differences in the way we talk, think, and interact with others. Image Source : http://cdn-write.demandstudios.com/upload//8000/300/40/2/88342.jpg

Barriers to Bridging Differences • Stereotyping and Prejudice • Pushing someone into an inflexible, all-encompassing category is stereotyping. • “Hardening of the categories” is the inability to adapt others. • Making judgements based on the assumption is prejudice. • To label someone inept or inferior based on persons’ ethnicity, race, gender or other factor can create significant barriers to effective communication.

Barriers to Bridging Differences • Different communication codes • Differences in language, physical symbols, and the interpretation of nonverbal cues leads to misunderstanding. • Different cultures have different meanings for these, breaking the communication process. What is he doing? Image Source : http://hand-raiser.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Respect.jpg

Adapting to others who are different from you • Seeking Information • Become “consciously competent” • 4 stages of the conscious competence model • Unconscious incompetence • Conscious incompetence • Conscious competence • Unconscious competence

Adapting to others who are different from you • Seeking Information Stage 4th stage of conscious competence model • Being aware of your skills • Actions become second nature • Makes for better communication skills This can all be done by identifying the causes of misunderstanding.

Adapting to others who are different from you • Seeking Information “Understanding is the beginning of approving.” - Philosopher/author Andre Gide

Adapting to others who are different from you • Seeking Information The root of prejudice is often the result of ignorance. THE FIX: • Learn about the person’s…. • Become a detective • Study the culture and prepare • Strip yourself of barriers

Adapting to others who are different from you • Seeking Information Members of the opposite sex • Men and women are simply a co-culture • Understanding cultures is not enough • Be careful not to confuse co-cultures with categorizing and stereotyping • Developing conscious competence towards communicating wit co-culture is a great asset

Adapting to others who are different from you • Listen and Ask Questions • We are more comfortable with people we know • Communicate through the give-and-take process • Ask questions to reduce anxiety • Ask questions that you legitimately want an answer to • Focus on non-verbal cues, messages, and major ideas

Adapting to others who are different from you • Tolerate Ambiguity • People become uncomfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity with others. • Low-context cultures prefer a more direct approach to getting information. • It may take time and several exchanges to clarify a message.

Adapting to others who are different from you • Tolerate Ambiguity • You may have to acknowledge the cultural difference. • Don’t be in a hurry to have all of the details nailed down. • Remind yourself that the other person doesn’t have the same value of knowing the future or appreciating details.

Adapting to others who are different from you • Develop mindfulness • Mindfulness is a conscious state of mind, a realization of what is happening to you at a given moment. • To be mindful is to be aware of how you communicate with others and how they communicate with you. • As a communicator you should constantly remind yourself that other people are not like you.

Adapting to others who are different from you • Develop mindfulness • Other people see the world differently and therefore communicate differently. • If you are not mindful, you are oblivious to the world around you. • You can become more mindful through self-talk. Image Source : http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/crosscuttings/cross-cultural_differences.html

Adapting to others who are different from you • Become Other Oriented • Consider the needs, motives, desire and goals of your communication partner and maintain your own integrity too. • Consider the feelings and thoughts of others when choosing the way to deliver the message as well as the time and place. • Sometimes you’ll need to socially decentre to view the world in others’ perspective. Image Source : http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/enlarge/sanfrancisco-golden-gate-bridge.html#

Adapting to others who are different from you • Become Other Oriented • Three ways to socially decentre: • Develop an understanding of the other persons’ ability to respond. • Based on understanding of how that person has responded in the past. • Use your understanding of how most people generally will respond to a situation. • Socially decentring involves attempting to think what other person may be thinking, empathize ourselves with them and offer sympathy.

Adapting to others who are different from you • Adapt to others • Adapting is adjusting behaviour in response to other people while communicating with them. • Adapt your behaviour to adjust to the others but do not change the essence of who you are. • Socially skilled people adapt their behaviour toward others. Image Source : http://www.wonderfulinfo.com/amazing/flyovers/

Adapting to others who are different from you • Adapt to others • Ethical communication gives other choices rather than forcing them to respond as you demand. • Try to generate positive feelings and respect for others to enhance relationship and improve both of your qualities of life.

What we learned We adapt to orient ourselves or we seek similarity. We may stereotype to make people familiar and may be prejudiced due to ignorance. Communication signals differ from culture to culture. Seek out, listen, ask, tolerate, be mindful, orient to others. This way we understand others and adapt ourselves to our surroundings.

Group presentation