BRIDGING CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

Transcription

1 BRIDGING CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

2 Table of Content 1. Our learning approach What happens before? E-questionnaire: goal? Country Navigator Video message During the training After the training Better recognition of cultural differences & improved working relationships The workshop in detail Demonstrate greater cultural effectiveness & accountability Country Navigator Learn to bridge the gap Follow up (optional) Intervision coaching circle Individual coaching

3 1. Our learning approach Learning is not a moment, but a process hence the preference for a development process through several stages! 1.1. What happens before? E-questionnaire: goal? Identify individual development needs and critical incidents Contact, introduction and objectives of the training Foster active involvement by the participants + receiving commitment Define the shared objectives of the training programme Collect simulations from practical experience within the working environment Adjust the programme to the company s culture Country Navigator We invite them to fill in the questionnaire online prior to the training programme; it is about 45 questions that can be answered in minutes. This will generate their personal cultural profile that they can compare with any culture of interest Video message We d like to send the participants a short, inspiring video that will be an eye-opener / ice breaker for the workshop. à Buy-in for the program 1.2. During the training We integrate group discussions, brainstorm moments and work in sub groups We integrate the Kolb learning preferences: transfer of theory & concepts, moments to practice/experiment, moments for observation & reflection The role of the trainer (facilitator vs. coach vs. feedback giver vs. expert) We go from awareness to acceptance into action - 2 -

4 Developing a personal action plan & put it into practise 1.3. After the training Discuss the individual development path with your N+1 or HR Trainer stays available by phone & mail for further advice SETTING UP EXPERIENCE GROUPS / knowledge circles è informal learning! 2. Better recognition of cultural differences & improved working relationships This 2-days workshop enables you to: obtain a better awareness, understanding, recognition and acceptance of cultural and personal differences. You will come to understand how your own cultural background and that of your colleagues affects both your behavior and theirs. learn to find a way of coping with these cultural differences in your daily business environment: o in communication (verbal and non-verbal as well as written eg s), o in feedback and criticism, o in making appointments, o in negotiating, o in meeting objectives and deadlines, etc. find out ways of avoiding conflicts caused by cultural differences and anticipate automaticpilot reactions. learn to build on your cultural identity and those of others so that synergies are formed and cultural diversity becomes an asset rather than a hindrance

5 3. The workshop in detail Content of the sessions Method Material Mod 1 Part one: CULTURAL AWARENESS Objective: Developing awareness of important cultural communication issues when working across cultures, with a focus on those cultures that make up your team. - Introduction and workshop objectives - The dynamics of culture: how culture determines our values, affects our attitudes, and impacts our behavior, communication and collaboration: * individual, national, corporate culture * transcultural competence * How to "quickly" and "correctly" recognize the specific features of a culture? * Improving your cultural awareness and open mindedness. * What is objectiveness? How colored is your way of thinking? - Presentation by the trainer - Interaction with the participants on different concepts (roundtable discussions, presentations, brainstorming) - the cultural iceberg concept - metaphorical exercises -Cultural Detective tool Mod 2 Part two: CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING Objective : Developing understanding of both the cultural issues and the degree to which those issues, for both the individual participants and the organization, need to change in order for both to achieve their global work goals and to improve the collaboration * What do we know about ourselves, the different cultures, values and norms, the strategies you would suggest for finding a win/win outcome * Multidimensional model: values, norms, beliefs, convictions, communication style and management style * Learning to find the meaning * Learning to recognize your reactions * Overcoming language barriers * Non-verbal communication: gestures, facial expressions, Presentation by the trainer of the theoretical concept. Participants are then invited to practice in small groups: - analysis of a cultural situation - presentation to the rest of the group - debriefing - synthesis Cultural roadmap - ONION Model -Country Navigator - 4 -

6 context, use of silence * How does your own culture influence you and your communication? Mod 3 Part three: CULTURAL BRIDGING Objective: The art of bridging cultures in a multicultural work environment: cohesive and effective intercultural communication: * developing an effective and efficient culture aware communication style for creating a climate of trust and credibility * complexity in communication * how to use acceptable 'culture-free' communication * how to adapt your communication to another culture * Implicit and explicit messages * Communication patterns - Group exercises Communication exercices Critical incidents Mod 4 BRIDGING :Presenting of our findings Objective: Present to the group our learnings/findings on how to overcome cultural differences and how to bridge the gap. - Presentation by the participants of group findings Wrap up and evaluation Evaluation form - 5 -

7 4. Demonstrate greater cultural effectiveness & accountability By the end of this 2-days workshop, you will be able to: develop an awareness of the differences and an understanding of why they exist. explore ways to develop personal techniques for the successful management of crosscultural differences for maximum success. focus on how cross-cultural differences reveal themselves in face-to-face business communications. learn to recognize the "cultural baggage" you bring to your business communications and work. Lead your multicultural teams building on the cultural identity of the people in your team. Find solutions to some of the critical cultural incidents you are facing in your current teams and lay down some strategies for success. 5. Country Navigator Learn to bridge the gap Country Navigator is a web-based tool that gives the participants valuable insight on how to successfully interact with people from different cultures. Participants are invited to bring the results on the training day so that the trainer can further develop specific strategies based on each individual challenging situation

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