Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is essential for effective communication when faced with cultural differences?
What is essential for effective communication when faced with cultural differences?
Why is it important to operate at the edge of your comfort zone during communication?
Why is it important to operate at the edge of your comfort zone during communication?
What approach should you take if you need clarification during intercultural communication?
What approach should you take if you need clarification during intercultural communication?
What is a recommended practice when discussing cultural differences?
What is a recommended practice when discussing cultural differences?
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When addressing power imbalances in communication, one should:
When addressing power imbalances in communication, one should:
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How can you demonstrate cross-cultural sensitivity during discussions?
How can you demonstrate cross-cultural sensitivity during discussions?
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What is a key element of structuring feedback in a multicultural environment?
What is a key element of structuring feedback in a multicultural environment?
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Which characteristic should be embraced to facilitate effective feedback techniques?
Which characteristic should be embraced to facilitate effective feedback techniques?
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What is a key factor that can lead to communication challenges in intercultural settings?
What is a key factor that can lead to communication challenges in intercultural settings?
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How might Alena's cultural background affect her reception of feedback during her presentation?
How might Alena's cultural background affect her reception of feedback during her presentation?
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What aspect of feedback might be particularly challenging for individuals from different cultures?
What aspect of feedback might be particularly challenging for individuals from different cultures?
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In cross-cultural communication, what is an effective technique for providing feedback?
In cross-cultural communication, what is an effective technique for providing feedback?
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Which communication style may hinder effective feedback in diverse cultural settings?
Which communication style may hinder effective feedback in diverse cultural settings?
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Why is it important to recognize cultural differences when giving feedback?
Why is it important to recognize cultural differences when giving feedback?
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What is the consequence of cultural misunderstanding during feedback discussions?
What is the consequence of cultural misunderstanding during feedback discussions?
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What is a crucial element for fostering cross-cultural sensitivity in feedback situations?
What is a crucial element for fostering cross-cultural sensitivity in feedback situations?
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What is one potential consequence of interpreting cultural differences as 'abnormal' or 'wrong'?
What is one potential consequence of interpreting cultural differences as 'abnormal' or 'wrong'?
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Which approach is suggested for analyzing a community problem effectively?
Which approach is suggested for analyzing a community problem effectively?
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How can awareness of cultural differences impact communication?
How can awareness of cultural differences impact communication?
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What is emphasized as a vital skill when encountering cultural differences?
What is emphasized as a vital skill when encountering cultural differences?
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Which statement best describes the preferred feedback approach in culturally diverse groups?
Which statement best describes the preferred feedback approach in culturally diverse groups?
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What implies an understanding of cultural differences in communication styles?
What implies an understanding of cultural differences in communication styles?
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What is the potential risk of failing to appreciate cultural differences in communication?
What is the potential risk of failing to appreciate cultural differences in communication?
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Why is it important to be aware of different feedback techniques across cultures?
Why is it important to be aware of different feedback techniques across cultures?
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Study Notes
Syllabus Information
- Course: Problem Solving Skills for International Business Students
- Date: October 2024
- Instructor: drs Gerni Luttikhuis MWO (lecturer, trainer, coach)
- Institution: Faculty of Economics & Business, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
Table of Contents (Page 2)
-
Problem Solving Skills: scope and course outline
- What is Problem Solving and Why is it Important?
- Problem Solving Skills: course outline
-
Problem Solving Skills: overview aspects of PSS & texts for reading and studying
- Aspects of PSS for CTU course
- Intercultural interaction: case
- Fast and Slow thinking (summary)
- Four stages of learning
- Theory of communication
- Communication wall
- Levels of communication
- Reflective skills
- Goal setting: identifying scope
- Theory of Flip-Thinking: the skill of changing perspectives
- Intercultural case study
- Questions about Alena and Geert's behavior.
- Cultural values: what is fundamentally important for a person
- What are "values"?
- Netherlands/Dutch Values Lens
- Vietnam values lens
-
Communication Styles
- Article: Innovation Leadership Lessons from the Marshmallow Challenge
- Effective teamwork: team Charter
- Regulating skills
- Active Listening (article, questions types)
- Article: Feedback through cultural looking glass
- Tip: The use of AI for problem Solving
Additional Course Information (Pages 3-9)
- Problem-solving is a crucial life skill and professional skillsets
- Problem-solving involves identifying an issue, finding possible solutions, and acting.
- Cultural context strongly impacts problem-solving approaches and communication.
- Learning objectives: understanding problem-solving skills, theories, and application in diverse cultures.
- Course description focuses on communication with international teams.
Learning Objectives (Page 4)
- Understanding the complexity of problem solving in an international context
- Knowing theories concerning problem-solving skills (slow and fast thinking, intercultural communication)
- Reflection on current problem-solving skills
- Developing problem-solving skills via sub-skills practice
- Exploring team problem-solving and leveraging team diversity.
Course Description (Page 4)
- Problem-solving is practiced daily in numerous situations.
- This course develops communication styles and problem-solving strategies for global contexts.
Didactic Set-up (Page 5)
- Course focuses on interactional and creative skills, rather than business models.
- Course uses interactive exercises, case studies, and readings.
- Course is designed for international context with Vietnamese students.
- Course aims to develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes for effective international problem-solving.
Course Schedule (Page 5)
- 3 days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, August) 7:30 AM-11:30 AM
- Topics: Introduction, theoretical framework, communication levels, reflective skills, perspective change, communication styles.
- Relevant texts in syllabus
- Preparation for next day's material and pre-reading assigned.
Reading List (Page 6)
- Course syllabus
- Optional: Adair, J. Decision Making and Problem Solving Strategies. KoganPage 2010
Creativity and Intercultural Interaction (Page 7)
- Aspects of problem-solving in terms of knowledge, attitudes, and skills.
- Cases involving intercultural interaction (Alena and Geert scenario)
Fast and Slow Thinking (Page 8)
- Kahneman's theory of fast and slow thinking: automatic vs. deliberate decision-making.
- Fast thinking is intuitive and error prone, while slow thinking is effortful and more accurate.
- Automatic pilot means relying on habit and heuristics.
- Rational models of humanity are flawed.
Communication (Page 9)
- Effective communication is vital in diverse contexts.
- Strategies: Huddles as a tool for team communication.
- Importance of efficient and timely communication with emphasis on safety, reducing rework, and costs.
Reflective Skills (Page 13)
- Reflective skills as a key component of problem solving and self-awareness
- Activity: reflecting on a current task (e.g., writing paper) - considering what happened and how to improve
- Diagram shows a cyclical process: 'What?'- 'So what?' - 'Now what?' to analyze the process.
Goal Setting (Page 14)
- Identify the problem and your goal.
- Explore goal scope by asking specific questions.
- Examples of roadblocks in knowledge, attitude, and skill.
Theory of Flip-Thinking (Page 15)
- Flip-Thinking transforms problems into opportunities.
- Deconstruct (problem as fact) and construct (possible solutions).
Intercultural Case (Page 16)
- Focus on Alena and Geert's workplace interaction and communication.
- Different cultures have potentially different approaches to handling conflict, values and problem solving.
- Different communication styles/expectations about how people should communicate and handle conflict.
Cultural Differences (Pages 17-20)
- Six patterns: communication styles, conflict approaches, task completion approaches, decision-making styles, attitudes towards disclosure, approaches to knowing
- Importance of understanding and respecting cultural differences.
Communication Styles (Page 27)
- Negotiation styles vary widely across cultures.
- How to interpret subtle messages in international negotiations.
- Adapting to different communication styles is important in international negotiations.
- Examples of cultural differences in communication: e.g., agreement vs. clarification.
Building Trust and Using AI (Pages 30-33,52)
- Cognitive vs. Affective trust: Cognitive trust is based on skill/reliability, while affective trust is based on emotional connection.
- Methods for building trust in diverse cultural contexts.
- Guidelines for using AI tools, like ChatGTP
- Recognizing AI limitations - biased data, lack of common sense.
More creative problem solving : (Pages 34-35.)
- Business schools students underperform in the marshmallow challenge.
- Innovation and creativity can be enhanced by cultivating a 'beginner's mind' and seeking diverse perspectives.
- Networking with people from different backgrounds aids innovation and problem solving.
Teams and Teamwork - Charter (Page 36)
- Establish clear team expectations and values.
- Importance of setting goals, identifying obstacles, and establishing energy sources within a team.
- Team Charter activity: Defining team member roles, expectations, values, and goals.
Effective Listening (Pages 39-45)
- Active listening is crucial, involves concentrating solely on the other party and engaging with them.
- The impacts of several 'blocks' to effective listening, in terms of internal obstacles and communication styles.
Question Types for Active Listening (Page 46)
- Types of active-listening questions - Open-ended and closed-form questions, and how to properly use them.
- Examples, and tips in how to utilize effective probing and suggestive techniques.
Feedback and Cultural Differences (Page 48)
- Cultural differences may impact feedback delivery and reception.
- Instrumental vs. Affective feedback styles: How cultures approach feedback.
- Example of different cultural perspectives on feedback using the hamburger analogy.
Additional Tip (Page 51)
- Employing AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) in diverse ways: Prompting for novel solutions and unusual approaches.
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