Communication: Effects of Diversity in Small

Groups & TeamsBy: Mike Boylan

My Background

Communications Studies Major here at Wilkes University.- Concentration in Rhetoric

During that time was apart of the Men’s Basketball team from 2010-2014.

My Professional Background

In summers of 2013-2014 I worked for J. Anderson & Associates.- Recruiting firm that specializes in diversity.

Summer of 2015 I worked at Cognizant Technology Solutions.- Human Resources intern.

Past 2 years I’ve been an assistant coach to the Men’s Basketball team at Wilkes University.

Purpose of ThesisAs an aspiring human resources professional, I’d like to understand more about communication.

Through my research I believe the methods presented of communication, will help you understand & thrive more in groups and team of diversity.

I believe to be a successful human resources professional you need to be an excellent communicator, no matter what the environment.

Understanding makes you a better communicator.

Human ResourcesHuman Resources Responsibility:- Payroll- Benefits- Personnel Sourcing- Hiring/ Firing- Skills Development- Dealing with company rules, and federal laws

Human Resources is critical component to any business’s success.

Qualities of a Human Resources Professional

Organization- Strong time management skills. Dealing with all aspects of the business.

Multi-Tasking- Human Resources is the common ground within the business.

Conflict Management/ Problem Solving- Problems always arise. Need to find way to get productivity from your employees, and have them act civil towards each other.

Communication- Communicate with upper management, lower level employees.

Ethical- “Conscience of the company” You always withhold confidential information.

Communication

Understanding Communication

Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need

3 different types of interpersonal communication relationships

Differences of communication between Male & Female

Understanding Communication

Definition: The act of internalizing information and then internalizing and acting with your own social perspectives.

We develop & learn how to communicate by interacting with others.

As human beings we internalize things in two different ways.- Perspective other - Generalized other

Perspective Other“Perspective others are the first thing we as human beings internalize. Perspective others are significant people, who are important in your life.” (Wood, 1988)

This progresses as you grow. - Parents - Infant- Teachers - Child- Adult - Significant other/ Friends

This role is a dominant one.

Direct communication is give, which is communication that tells us explicitly who we are by directly labeling us and our behaviors.

Generalized Other

“Broadly held social views of perspectives.”

Every society and social group that has their own values, experiences, and understandings.

Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need

3 Different Types of Interpersonal Communication

Definition: What happens between people.

Relationships between people are broken down into three different kinds of interaction.

- “I-It” communication- “I-You” communication- “I-Thou” communication

“I-It” Communication

This is a very dismissive kind of communication.

This is the most impersonal relationship you can have with a person. You do not acknowledge of other people, you act as people are just objects.

Example: The way people may treat servers at a restaurant. An instrument just to get food, an object.

“I-You” CommunicationThis is the majority of your communication.

People acknowledge each other as more then objects.

You do not fully engage these people and treat these people as unique individuals in your life.

Example: The type of communication between you and a fellow classmate you are not close with. You see them and ask them how they are doing or just saying hello.

“I-Thou” Communication

This is the rarest and most interpersonal relationship you can have with a person.

With this type of communication you treat the individual as if they are unique and cherish them.

You are very open to discuss who we really are as a person and how we are doing.

Example: Relationship with a significant other, or close friend.

Differences of Communication Between Men & Women

Men’s speech portrays the masculinity factor.

Men like to control the conversation/situation.

That gives the image of the dominating figure in the room.

“Arena to show their dominance"

Women are very speech oriented.

Communication is their foundation and the primary way women establish and maintain their relationships with others.

“They engage in conversation to share themselves and to learn about others”

The primary goal of women’s speech is to form close relationships, to be understanding, and to to be dependable

Diversity Definition of Diversity

Race / Ethnicity- Cultural Intelligence

Gender- Male vs Female- The english language- Stereotyping - Socialization differences

DiversityDefinition: The state of having variety, a range of different things.

“Diversity is about everyone but themselves, or the ones who now have to understand everyone else.”

Usually when thinking of diversity we categorize it into 2 different sections.- Race/ Ethnicity- Gender

The United States of America is built on diversity. We welcome it.

U.S.A is represented by countless cultures, races, and genders.

Diversity comes up in all areas of life.- Business setting- Athletic setting- Social setting

Cultural Intelligence

Definition: “The ability to make oneself understood and the ability to create a fruitful collaboration in situations where cultural differences play a role.”

As an individual you need to be able to understand other individual’s norms & be able to fuse them with your own.

Cultural Intelligence Theory (Plum, 1988) breaks it down into 3 different sections.

- Emotional- Cognitive- Action

Emotional

This section describes how you actually feel through a specific situation & what motives come from those emotions.

“Feelings are related to beliefs, to our notion of what is the right way to behave”

Our thoughts derive from our internal values.

Attitude is key when interacting with people of different culture.

Do you have the capacity & courage to allow oneself to change from your values to compromise?

Some values that you may view as strengths may be viewed in different cultures as weaknesses.

Cognitive

It is being able to understand who you are & the culture you come from, then in turn being able to understand people of a different culture.

In summary this section is being understanding of the fact that each culture has a set of their own values & norms.

Action“The action dimension is the activity and communication during the cultural encounter, what each participant actually does in this encounter.”

It consists of various types of interpersonal communication.

Example: listening, questioning, summarizing, agreeing or disagreeing, body language

GenderThe English Language

Unfortunately Men & Women are thought of in 2 different lights.

Reason that suggest that is our english language.

The english language is very male centric. It makes men seem more prominent then women.

Example: “Salesman, Businessman, Mankind”

Stereotyping

Stereotyping is using the english language to generalize about an entire class to one individual.

Stereotyping can miss represent an individual.

Our society deems Men be masculine & Women be feminine.

Example: When women make an argument, it can sometimes be dismissed because women are thought of to be emotional.

For a man, he may be unable to recognize or act on a strong argument because of the misconception that men can not be emotional.

SocializationMen and women are raised completely different in our society.

Men & Women are raised to fit social stereotypes.

It goes back to the identities of Masculine vs Feminine.

This social stereotypes start from the early childhood.

Social games - Male

- Usually in large groups. - You are taught to play the games aggressively.- There are clear goals set out for the game. - There are roles set out defining what each position is supposed to do.

This is so because “these games are structured by goals, rules, and roles, there is little need to discuss how to play.

Example: Basketball or Football at park

In boy’s games, an individuals status depends on standing out, being better, and often dominating other players.

“Boys learn they must do things to be valued members of the team.” (Wood,1988)

Social Games - Female

- Growing up girls tend to play in pairs or smaller groups as opposed to large groups. - No set rules or goals.- Goals are set by the individuals.- Games are meant to be non confrontational.

Example: Games such as house or school

Teams Definition: People willing to cooperate, using their individual skills and being able to give constructive feedback, despite any personal disputes that may arise.

Teamwork is a sense of unity, of enthusiasm for common interests and responsibilities, as developed among a group of people closely associated in a task to accomplish a goal.

Organization- All aimed for one goal.- Can not be individuals, has to act as one.

Establish Roles- Individual’s strengths & weaknesses.

Team Pressure- Not on your own time.- Have to meet team standards.

Case Study

Wanted to see how people in teams were affected by diversity.

Did it change how they communicated?

Case Study was performed in the- Athletic Setting- Business Setting

Case Study

Athletic Setting - 15 males - 15 females

Business Setting - 10 males- 10 females

Case StudyAthletic Setting

Do you notice when you are a minority in the group?- Does that affect the way you communicate?

Do you notice the race/ethnicity of the leader of your team?- Does that affect the way you communicate?

If you are a minority, does it affect your communication within the team?

Does your communication vary with teammates of diversity?

Case StudyBusiness Setting

Do you notice when you are a minority in the office?- Does that affect the way you communicate?

Do you notice the race/ethnicity of the executives/ manager of your company?- Does that affect the way you communicate?

Do you notice if the executive/manager is male or female?- Does that change the way you communicate?

If you are a minority, does it affect your communication within the office or your department?

Does your communication vary with employees of diversity?

Conclusion Athletic Setting

Diversity has a less affect on communication.

The goals are simpler, that is to win a game or championship.

Rules are the same within a game. Does not matter what ethnicity or gender you are.

When in athletic setting you do not have to spend that much time with the teammate if differences lead you to dislike.

Athletic environment is a more fluid situation. Easier to speak your mind, there are no major consequences.

Business Setting

Communication is more affected in the business setting.

There are multiple goals to be accomplished in the business setting. (daily goals, quarterly goals, yearly goals)

Spend a lot of time with employees. A lot more communication can lead to more issues.

When finances are involved, you communicate more tentatively.

You recognize more about diversity in upper management, because it has to do with an individual’s financial status.