Education homework #7

2

Stacey Terry

SNHU

IDS-105 Cultural Awareness and Online Learning

February 4, 2024

Identify your chosen scenario.

Scenario #3- Workplace

Conflict #1- Disagreement with a colleague over work styles

1. Describe how an awareness of other cultures can benefit interpersonal communication with people in the scenario.

Awareness of other cultures at a workplace is of utmost importance as it benefits all employees in various ways. Clear communication is vital in the workplace or any additional communal space, and people cannot interact without crossing that barrier. This obstacle is only crossed when cultural sensitivity and awareness are instilled in people and the environment in general. Cultural awareness makes the environment stress-free, making people feel more welcome and comfortable. 

Cultural awareness is also necessary for breaking down cultural barriers and perceiving the norms and values of different cultures positively. Once people understand other cultures more clearly, they can understand people from those cultures better, and this eradicates the discrimination they might have been subjected to previously. This promotes cultural connection and healthy workplace communication and relationships. Similarly, in the given scenario, the colleagues in conflict are from different cultures and have different approaches toward life.

One colleague prefers to plan events and tasks in advance and mentally prepares himself for each day by preparing a detailed to-do list. On the contrary, the other colleague likes to work impromptu and feels comfortable finishing the tasks that way. In this way, both have a work nature contradictory to each other and hold stern opinions about each other's work ethics. Now that both have been assigned to work on a project together, they are finding it difficult to brush the tension under the rug and complete the project by reaching a common ground.

One feasible solution for them is for them both to sit down and talk about their work ethic at great length so they may find common ground. They need to look for mutual points so the tension and built-up dislike stay at bay and they can work on the project in a friendly and professional way. In this scenario, compromise is of the essence, and they both must give up their comfort to make room for the other. It would be ideal if they made a to-do list of the necessary tasks beforehand and executed the generic functions simultaneously.

1. Describe how exposure to diverse backgrounds can positively influence communication in the scenario.

Awareness of and exposure to diverse cultures is necessary in many ways, enabling a person to consider others' perspectives without bias or discrimination. People often judge people from different cultures since they do not know their reasoning for making decisions or actions. Moreover, people end up misinterpreting the intentions of others, and this often leads to conflicts. Therefore, cultural awareness and exposure to cultural diversity are essential to build strong relations with others. 

This ease in relations also leads to people cultivating respect for other cultures. This, in turn, results in a better acceptance of different opinions and actions. People can then make better decisions while being sensitive to others and motivating their employees or colleagues. This diversity also ensures that everyone is treated and behaves equally at work. Equality at the workplace always affects the employees positively since they feel appreciated and seen and give their best. 

Last but not least, cultural awareness, at times, also leads to the cultivation of self-awareness. This is particularly helpful in communal spaces where people have to coordinate and work together to ensure they are heard while not neglecting anyone else. In the given scenario, both employees have unique ways of executing their assigned tasks, and their methodology does not align. Consequently, this has paved the path for tension and distress among them.

Now that they have to work together on a project and ensure that both of their expertise gets implemented in the projected and it is not only delivered on time but is also up to the notch, they have to find a way to effectively communicate their thoughts and ideas so their conflict does not affect their work. One key element affecting their work relationship is the lack of effective communication, and its root cause is their different cultural background. 

In the given case, if both colleagues sit together and get to know each other, their cultures, races, and interests, they might learn their reasoning regarding their work style and ethics. This will eventually lead to better understanding among them and overall healthy communication, thereby benefitting both parties. People from different societies often have discrete attitudes toward things, so they cannot be blamed for their nature or work style.

1. Explain why an awareness of diversity is beneficial to collaboration in the scenario.

In a shell, diversity leads to the same understanding, consideration, and empathy towards others as cultural awareness. Whereas this leads to effective communication and fewer conflicts arising from this cultural barrier, it also improves employees' knowledge about different ethnicities and cultures. Many organizations prefer giving diversity training to their employees so these problems are tackled in advance. This training has another great benefit: preventing civil rights violation cases.

Furthermore, diversity awareness leads to the inclusion of other groups and better team coordination and work improvement. So, whereas this training and knowledge benefits employees, it collectively does good for the organization because it promotes teamwork and coordination. Employees feel appreciated and cared for and give their best at work. Overall, a positive work environment is nurtured.

Suppose both employees are aware of cultural diversity and understand the difference in approach and thought toward life and everything it stands for in different cultures. In that case, they will endorse each other's opinions instead of treating them as divergent. In the given scenario, the employee who is native to the land has to accept the fact that the other employee is as alien to this land and its laws as this land and its culture. Once he understands this point, he can structure himself according to his colleagues' work ethic, and the same goes for international employees.

Ultimately, the compromise and mutual respect both employees have for each other will help them excel at the project and develop cordial relations with each other. This will be helpful for them in the future and contribute to making the overall workplace environment positive and more welcoming toward different cultures, ethnicities, and their dynamic values and practices. Only by adopting such approaches can workplaces become a safe haven for international employees.