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Communicating; 7 do's and 7 don'ts.


Diversity

One of the most frequently asked questions during diversity training programs is: "Whenever I interact with a person from a different culture, I'm I'm  

Contraction of I am.

Our Living Language Speakers of some scattered varieties of American English sometimes use I'm instead of I've or I have in present perfect constructions, as in
 afraid I'll say something offensive. How can I keep this from happening?" Here are seven do's and seven don'ts to greatly minimize the possibility of offending of·fend  
v. of·fend·ed, of·fend·ing, of·fends

v.tr.
1. To cause displeasure, anger, resentment, or wounded feelings in.

2.
:

The don'ts

1. Don't talk to people in a patronizing fashion (Example: Don't "talk down" to people).

2. Don't make assumptions about people, particularly those who are culturally different from you (Example: Don't assume certain people have certain values or like to do certain things).

3. Don't assume a culturally different person is an "expert" about his or her cultural group. (Example: Don't ask someone, "What do your people think about this?").

4. Don't assume a culturally different person is representative of all the members of his or her cultural group (Example: Because one member does something does not mean all members think or act like that).

5. Don't engage in behaviors that single out a culturally different person especially if that person is in the minority at your workplace (Example: Asking a person to serve on a committee primarily because of his or her race or gender).

6. Don't ask inappropriate questions or engage in inappropriate behaviors, especially of a personal nature (Example: Don't ask if you can touch someone's hair; don't ask about a person's grooming Combining, consolidating and segregating network traffic using devices such as digital cross-connects, add/drop multiplexers and SONET switches. Grooming is a telephone term that typically refers to managing high-capacity lines between central offices, carriers, ISPs and very large  habits).

7. Don't try to speak or act like a culturally different person if it is not YOU (Example: Don't pretend you like certain foods or music if you really do not, just to build a relationship).

The do's

1. Do talk to others as equals (Example: Treat people respectfully re·spect·ful  
adj.
Showing or marked by proper respect.



re·spectful·ly adv.
, even if they are lower on the organizational chart An organizational chart is a chart which represents the structure of an organization in terms of rank. The chart usually shows the managers and sub-workers who make up an organization. ).

2. Do recognize that cultural differences exist but confirm these differences before you act on them (Example: Get to know a person rather than act on your assumptions).

3. Do stick to the business at hand until you have established an effective relationship (Example: Avoid a great deal of personal conversation until you get to know someone).

4. Do treat every person you come into contact with as an individual (Example: Avoid stereotyping based on group membership).

5. Do seek to find common ground between yourself and others, particularly those who are culturally different (Example: Keep in mind that you will often have much in common with a culturally different person).

6. Do consider the feelings, thoughts and experiences of others, particularly those who are culturally different (Example: Listen and care about what others are saying; avoid using demeaning de·mean 1  
tr.v. de·meaned, de·mean·ing, de·means
To conduct or behave (oneself) in a particular manner: demeaned themselves well in class.
 words).

7. Do be YOURSELF at all times (Example: Just relax and be yourself, don't try to be what you think others want you to be).

RELATED ARTICLE: Human Resources The fancy word for "people." The human resources department within an organization, years ago known as the "personnel department," manages the administrative aspects of the employees.  Online

Visit the Detroiter Online for these additional human resources articles. Go to www.detroit chamber.com and click "Detroiter" on our home page.

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It is related to the names Patricia and Patrick. Popularity
In the United States, the popularity of the name Patrice peaked in 1958 as the No. 212 most popular name.
. Arend, associate, Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer & Weiss

Communicating in a culturally diverse society: Improving your communication effectiveness when English is the second language

By Dr. Tyrone A. Holmes, president, T.A.H. Performance Consultants Inc.

What you need to do if one of your employees is called up for military duty By Mario Apruzzese, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. , Employees Only

By Dr. Tyrone A. Holmes

Tyrone A. Holmes, Ed.D, L.P.C p.c. (post cibum),
n a Latin phrase meaning “after meals”; the abbreviation may be used in prescription writing.
., is president of T.A.H. Performance Consultants Inc. in Wixom, a member of the Detroit Regional Chamber.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Detroit Regional Chamber
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2003, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Title Annotation:Human Resources
Author:Holmes, Tyrone A.
Publication:Detroiter
Geographic Code:1U3MI
Date:May 1, 2003
Words:580
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