Intercultural Communication

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CommunicationStylesINFO-GeneralHandout.pdf

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Facilitating Intercultural Competence: Experiential Methods and Tools

Source: Communication Highwire: Leveraging the Power of Diverse Communication Styles (Intercultural Press).

Source: Communication Highwire: Leveraging the Power of Diverse Communication Styles

Leveraging the Power of Diverse Communication Styles

Understanding the impact of communication style differences and effects…

Think about specific situations in which a miscommunication occurred that you believe was based

on a communication style disconnect of some kind.

Defining Communication Style

Communication style is the way in which we communicate, a pattern of verbal and nonverbal

behaviors that comprises our preferred ways of giving and receiving information in a specific

situation. If the message content is the what and the communicators the who, then communication

style is the how. Communication style includes, for example, how we accomplish the following

tasks:

1. Organize and present information and like it to be organized 2. Encourage and like to be encouraged 3. Agree or disagree with others’ ideas and prefer agreement or lack thereof to be

communicated

4. Build relationships, trust, and intimacy with others 5. Communicate politeness and perceive politeness to be communicated 6. Negotiate and prefer to be negotiated with 7. Establish credibility 8. Approach, manage, and resolve conflict 9. Make decisions and solve problems 10. Interrupt and prefer to be interrupted

Source: Communication Highwire: Leveraging the Power of Diverse Communication Styles (Intercultural Press).

Based on our definition and the preceding list, you can see that communication style is broad in

scope, and as such it encompasses many specific patterns we engage in every day. Our belief is that

these patterns are not universally accepted rules of human interaction; instead, communication style

preferences reflect our personal and cultural upbringings. Even simple nonverbal behaviors that we

may consider “natural” are typically learned. People all over the world smile and use eye contact,

but they do so in different ways and for different purposes. Answers to the following questions, all

about communication style, vary by culture as well as by individual and specific context:

 How do you show respect to those with whom you are communicating? One person might look someone directly in the eye to show respect, while another averts eye

contact. One person might speak loudly and clearly as a sign of respect, another

softly.

 How do you attempt to establish credibility? One person may do so by stating her past experiences and citing her credentials, while another might humbly explain that

her lengthy experience has given her more questions than answers.

 Is it polite to answer a question when you are asked directly? People who value explicit communication may expect a direct answer to a question. People who value

implicit communication might find a direct answer to be condescending or

patronizing.

 Is it best to discuss conflict with the person with whom you disagree? One person may desire to analyze a disagreement giving a specific comment-by-comment replay

and paying special attention to the actual words used, while another may prefer to

discuss the feelings experienced because of the disagreement, and a third might

prefer to overlook the disagreement or to bring it up only after much time has passed

and careful consideration has been given.

Communication style—how we express ourselves—reflects our underlying values and beliefs, and

those values and beliefs are determined both by culture and personality. People use and interpret

communication styles differently according to these personal and cultural filters. How we

communicate (the communication style we use) and how we see others communicating (the

meaning we attach to their communication style) depend on many factors. Do we expect interaction

to be easy, difficult, enjoyable, or frustrating? Do we believe relationships should be well planned,

emergent, explicit, or implicit? Do we think it is smarter to focus first on task or on relationship? A

full definition of communication style needs to include these six key points:

1. Communication style is a situational tendency, not a type. 2. The style we use is influenced by many factors. 3. As with culture, everything’s relative with communication style. 4. Neutral descriptions are needed, yet those descriptions have their own weaknesses

and liabilities.

5. Communication style provides a link between the observable and the unconscious—between our behavior and its underlying motivation.

6. There are advantages and disadvantages to every style. (Communication Highwire, 2005, p. 5-7)

Source: Communication Highwire: Leveraging the Power of Diverse Communication Styles (Intercultural Press).

Factors Affecting Communication Style

1. CONTEXT ~ The circumstances in which an event occurs (Physical context, Roles,

Historical context, Chronology, Language, Relationship, Constraints)

2. GOALS ~ The outcome we intend to accomplish

3. SELF-CONCEPT ~ How we see ourselves

4. VALUES ~ Priorities and principles that guide our behavior

5. COMMUNICATION STYLE REPERTOIRE ~ Amount of, and ability to use, diverse

communication behaviors

Skill Building

1. Am I aware of my own style? 2. Can I accept validity of another style? 3. Can I figure out how style differences may have an impact in a particular conflict? 4. Can I see a style difference for what it is as it is happening? 5. Can I hear the style; can I take it in as it is happening? 6. Can I engage in receiving and sending behaviors according to another style?

Additional Information regarding communication styles:

Persuasive Styles Across Cultures:

• QUASILOGICAL – Statistics, testimony – ASSUMPTION: If an idea is “true” it just needs to be presented logically

• PRESENTATIONAL – Emotional appeals emphasized – ASSUMPTION: Immutable truths do not exist; There are no clear rights or

wrongs to be discovered

• ANALOGICAL – Stories, parables, analogies (explicit/implicit lessons) – ASSUMPTION: The collective experience of a group is persuasive

Source: Communication Highwire: Leveraging the Power of Diverse Communication Styles (Intercultural Press).