Archives for September 2021

Introduction
Communication is a complex activity that is a constant factor in our daily activities. Dr. Rios (n.d., para. 9), states, “at its most basic level, communication is about the exchange of information between individuals”. As a linear activity, communication begins with a sender encoding – or forming a message, and then communicating the message. Next, a receiver interprets the received communication – or what is called decoding. After the receiver decodes the message, the receiver then becomes the sender to provide feedback. While this high-level explanation seems fairly straightforward, one factor that impacts communication, and information processing is personality.

Extroversion and Introversion
To elaborate, the Jungian Model of Personality is one reference point to further explain how personality and communication are correlated. Abramson and Moran (2018, p. 61) state, ‘the Jungian model of personality types is an information-processing model based on three bipolar scales”. The model first classifies two-character attitudes including introversion and extroversion. Abramson and Moran (2018, p. 61) describe extroversion as being “oriented outward”, and introversion as being “oriented inward”. While individuals are typically dominant in one area, the latter becoming an auxiliary personality, it is crucial effective communicators can function in both extroversion and introversion categories.

To illustrate, at one point or another, we have been labeled or labeled ourselves as an introvert or extrovert. I will be the first to raise my hand and say I am a proud…not so loud…introvert. Although, when I tell others this, they are sometimes taken aback and respond with you are so outgoing and communicate well. When others see my extroverted communication skills when working on a team or large project – they are seeing my auxiliary personality.

Perceivers and Judgers
Diving deeper into personality, another layer Jung identifies is how individuals gather and evaluate information within two functions. Abramson and Moran (2018, p. 62) state “relevant information needed to be perceived, and then its value needed to be assessed before useful communication (extraverted) or problem-solving (introverted) could be initiated”. Within this concept, Jung then identified two categories including perceivers and judgers. Perceivers and judgers then break off into two functions including perceivers as sensing and iNtuiting; and judgers functions as thinking and feeling.

At this point, the Jungian Model of Personality results in eight personality types. This becomes imperative for business leaders to understand and recognize. The Jungian Model of Personality has been used to identify the character of a nation. For example, I often work one on one with a Sales Manager from Germany. It is important to recognize that it is likely we are both within the Te Personality. We will both view communications as impersonal and likely analytical. What I may need to put more effort into is making sure I understand his space preferences, time preferences, and body language to avoid communication errors.

Final Thoughts
Communication may be simple to define at a surface level. However, in a globally diverse business world, we must recognize and understand communications vary from nation to nation. One way to better communicate nationally is to understand the national character of others. To avoid pitfalls, it is also imperative to know that the national character we have identified through concepts such as the Jungian Model of Personality should not become the stereotype on which we rely. We should use that as a starting point and as we gather and engage with others correct course where needed.

Citations
Abramson, N. R., & Moran, R. T. (2018). Managing Cultural Differences Global Leadership for the 21st Century (10th ed.). Routledge.
The Pennsylvania State University. (2021). Leadership in the Global Context: OLEAD 410 [Online course lesson]. Retrieved from: https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/canvas/fa21/22181–16619/content/03_lesson/printlesson.html

It can be easier to communicate with someone from the same background, but what happens when those you are trying to communicate with are from a different culture?  What if you are communicating in writing vs. in person? I am learning the various ways culture shifts our perceptions of ourselves and others and how to communicate with those cultural differences more effectively. “During the imprint stage, an individual’s learning of good and bad from their caregivers would be highly influenced by culture, as the caregivers are part of the culture. That is how culture persists over time. During the modeling period, culture is transmitted from other influential adults who are from another generation. And in the socialization period, ideas from the current culture are passed along.” (PSU 2021) These stages that we go through help shape us into who we are, but we can make changes and we are constantly learning how to grow in society. “if a value gets reinforced through behavior then it persists. If the behavior doesn’t match up with the value, then the cultural value shifts to something new.” (PSU 2021)

If we are exposed to new ideas and cultures we are more atp to usurp some of that understanding and become more open to those ideas which previously we had no experience.  “Worldmindedness” – a global awareness of other cultures and people (in many ways, the opposite of hate and fear)- is a trait that can be taught, just like a language. (Moran & Abramson pg 13) Being accepting of others and their differences is also valuable in the workplace. “Senior managers are trying to ensure that those reporting to them understand the company’s strategic plan, and are effectively organizing their assigned resources to achieve their assigned productivity goals.  All of these kinds of goals require that the receiver not only understand what the sender is trying to communicate, but also, from the sender’s point -of-view; that the receiver is moved to actions intended by the sender.”(Moran & Abramson pg 42)

Learning to avoid egocentrism and personal bias and being open to new experiences is a way to combat conflict. “At its basic level egocentrism is an inability to take on other people’s perspectives. If one isn’t able to take on another perspective, it is difficult to see what they want or need, but also to shape a message that they understand.”(PSU 2021) This helps when trying to communicate with those who may not have the same cultural orientation.“These errors can be exacerbated because of language and cultural differences, as they reduce the efficiency of communication.”(PSU 2021)

Being able to communicate your organization’s values effectively is an important skill.  Learning about the various culture, language, history, and social influences is important especially if you are part of a global community.  “Scholars have also noted that the strategic focus of human resource systems is more effective when aligned with the organization’s mission, purposes, values, and structure.” (Becker and Gerhart, 1996; Becker and Huselid, 2006; Huselid and Becker, 1997).  Being able to communicate those goals will help you work cohesively and with less misunderstandings.  

Resources

Moran, R. T., Abramson, N. R., & Moran, S. V. (2014). Managing Cultural Differences (10th ed.). Oxford: Routledge. ISBN: 9781138223684 ives, 1980: 242–50

Becker, B. E. and M. A. Huselid: 2006, ‘Strategic Human Resource Management: Where do we go from Here?’, Journal of Management 32(6), 898–925.

Huselid, M. A. and B. E. Becker: 1997, The Impact of High Performance Work Systems, Implementation Effectiveness, and Alignment with Strategy on Shareholder Wealth. Academy of Management Proceedings

Pennsylvania State University. (2021). OLEAD 410. Lessons 1 – 4

Greetings Everyone,

Have you ever had a conversation with someone and thought “great we are on the same page” only to find out they did something completely different? If you haven’t, then your not paying attention. Miscommunication is a certainty in life. To improve as a communicator, it is paramount to recognize when messages fall short and learn from the experience. As experience is gained and adjustments are made, we can communicate at a higher level with almost everyone.

Errors in communication are due to messages was either coded incorrectly by the sender or decoded incorrectly by the receiver. (Pennsylvania State University. 2021) These errors occur easily when communicating face to face in the same native language, so it is easy to understand how errors can happen through text, phone calls, social media, and more. If we add the global effect of having intercultural communications via technology and all bets are off! While the global economy been a part of society since the 15th century, but because the focal point of economic growth in the 2000’s through the technology age. (Vanham, 2019). This means that finding ways to reduce communication errors both locally and globally is a high priority for us all!

According to an article in MIS quarterly, many North American firms are at a serious disadvantage in the world market with industry leaders increasingly headquartered in Asia or Western Europe. (Ives & Jarvenpaa, 1991, p. 33) Because the American economy was so strong for so long, we are now far behind other countries in adjusting to the global economy and global communication. There are steps that can be taken to improve communication from the sender and receiver that are both verbal and non verbal. One of the most important aspects of good communication is listening. “A good listener understands that without good listening, there will be poor results.” (Abramson & Moran, 2018, p. 47) If you take extra time to listen and digest what a person is saying, you will be better suited to responding in an acceptable and understandable way. Another helpful tip is to pay attention to body language. Often noting spacing, hand gestures (or lack there of), and facial expressions, and eye contact you can pick up on whether or not you are engaging with the other individual in a way that they are comfortable.

I have experienced a multitude of errors in communication in my life. Even while talking with my wife of 12 years, we still have different take aways from our conversations almost daily. I have also experienced intercultural communication issues in the work place. A few years ago I had a truck driver that came to work with a brand new truck that was very expensive. He spoke good English but was of Latin decent. I complimented him on his truck and made a joke about what he must be selling on the side to afford such a nice vehicle. He politely shrugged it off and we went our separate ways. Later, it was brought o my attention that he had gone to the HR department and said I accused him of being a drug dealer. While I was surprised, he thought I was serious because I clearly made the comment in a joking manner, I had to learn that my method of commutating did not match his. My sarcasm was lost in translation to him and I did not read the situation enough to understand that I didn’t know him well enough to know if he would be okay with my joke. Now days, I refrain from making comments like these and I also take time to really get to know people before having more casual dialogue.

There is no perfect training to avoid all communication errors. But, we can focus on our words and our delivery while processing real time feedback from a person’s non verbal cues. Each experience is an opportunity to learn and grow the resources available to communicate with other effectively.

Is my message getting through?

 

 

References

Pennsylvania State University (2021). Lesson 4: Global Communication–OLEAD 410. [Online course lesson]. Retrieved from: https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2146712/modules/items/32847666

Ives, B., & Jarvenpaa, S. L. (1991). Applications of Global Information Technology: Key Issues for Management. MIS Quarterly, 15(1), 33–49. https://doi.org/10.2307/249433

Vanham, P., (2019). A Brief History of Globalization. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/01/how-globalization-4-0-fits-into-the-history-of-globalization/ 

Abramson, N., Moran, R., (2018). Managing Cultural Differences. 10^th edition. Routledge. New York, NY. P. 31, 181, 186-187

Hello All,

 

My name is Cedia Nathan and  am a senior studying IST and am taking this class with a few others this semester. I work full time as a Product Manager for a telecom company. I think this course will be interesting on so many levels but will also help me navigate cultural diversity and view it from a different lens within my own organization.

Hello all,

My apologies for the lateness of this post, I am getting accustomed to this blog forum as fast as I can.

My name is Roy Starbeck and I am a Junior-equivalent transfer to the Organizational Leadership BA program at Penn State. I am a First Sergeant in the US Army currently stationed at Ft. Meade, Maryland with my wife of 13 years and our three children. I am planning on retiring from the Army in the next two years and am looking forward to leveraging my experience as a leader in the Infantry coupled with this degree to find an interesting new career. Hopefully in the Pacific Northwest, where my wife and I hail from, but I am honestly falling in love with the National Capitol Region, so if we stay here I will have no complaints.

Between three years in Iraq, a year in the Republic of Korea, and some other deployments to places like Thailand and the Phillippines, I am very aware of the need for flexibility and empathy in leadership when working with organizations on a global scale. I hope that this course will help me to draw upon my own experience to help define the lessons I learned in those settings, as well as help me develop myself into a leader prepared to work in any environment, regardless of the setting.

Looking forward to meeting and working with all of you,

Roy S.

My name is Knikky Balson.  I plan to graduate this spring with my degree in Organizational Leadership.  Currently I work at a local community college in Maryland.  I have one college age daughter who will graduate at the same time I do and my son is a sophomore in high school.  I went back to school shortly before my daughter started.  I have been trying to tell my kids how important college is and realized without having finished myself, it was hard to argue for a college education so I went back.  I have also served in the United States Navy.

Hi!

My name is Laura, and this year is my second year majoring in Psychology at World Campus. I’m a stay-at-home mom with two kids (3 months old and 4 years old). My oldest will start pre-kindergarten next week. I have a great husband who’s supporting me to continue my education at Penn State World Campus. I have a big dream to be a therapist with Deaf children and hearing parents/family. I was born Deaf with hearing parents. My sister and I were the only Deaf in the family. My parents got the right resources for my sister and me to be part of the Deaf community. When I was growing up, I’ve seen some peers’ parents couldn’t communicate with their children because they didn’t learn how to sign and communicate with Deaf children. After seeing peers’ negative experiences without communication at home, I would love to be a therapist and provide the best resource for the family with Deaf children.

I am looking forward to learning something new from this course.