Post #2: Observation of team behaviour: intercultural and interpersonal communication

I belong to one of the most diverse blogging groups in the class. There are people of four different nationalities and four different races in my group. However, it is amazing to see how smooth our discussions are. Everyone understands each other and contributes constructively. I am going to examine the reason for this in the light of a theory.

The Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT) suggests that people subconsciously change their speech style to the style of the listener in order to accommodate with him/her. I find CAT very relevant to our group. Everyone understands the need to come out of their comfort zone and speak in a manner which is easily understandable for others. We read the other person and react in a manner which we think would bring our point across clearer to the listener.

However, CAT fails to explain fully how communication in a team works. Whose style of speaking do we accommodate with when there are people from so many backgrounds in a group? From my observation of our group, I realise that we all try to standardise our communication by modifying our speaking pattern to one that is widely accepted and practiced in Singapore. To put it clearly, we talk in the ‘Singapore way’. This provides a common style of speaking for everyone, which is also understood by everyone.

CAT is just one of the many theories that exist on intercultural communication. There are also ‘Identity Management Theory’ and ‘Standpoint Theory’. All these theories explain how cross-cultural interaction can be effective. From my experience, each member in my group has shown good communication skills; our cultural differences have not been able to impede our discussions and we have had a productive time in our meetings.

Following are some links if you want to read up more about the theories:

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0767430344/student_view0/chapter29/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communication_Accommodation_Theory

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercultural_communication

Post #1: Communication and teamwork: what they are to me?

Communication and teamwork, two different words but not entirely independent. The success of a team depends largely on how well its members are able to convey their ideas to each other and how well they understand each other. The importance of effective communication and teamwork is not just limited to the workplace or school; but is seen in every walk of life. I’ll tell you why it is important for me.

When I came from India to Singapore a few years ago, talking to people was one of the biggest problems I faced. I wouldn’t understand their accent, they wouldn’t understand mine. We thought very differently. It was then that I realised the importance of communication in daily life. Good communication skills are needed no matter what you are doing, playing a sport, writing an email, or even simply talking to a friend. Communication, often confused with verbal communication, is much more. It is any form of interaction with another person, not just by words, but also by our actions, or body language.

With the increasing complexity of the nature of work these days, it has become impossible for one to work alone. I would soon be an engineer and would be working with teams on projects. I therefore need to be a good team worker. I need to understand the views of my teammates, give them due respect, resolve issues in the team and keep the team together. One who cannot work with people has no place in today’s work environment.

Communication and teamwork are two of the most important attributes in a person today. It is only after you can communicate effectively that you can be a good team worker.

BLOGGING??? :S

:S is probably the closest to what my face must have looked when I first found out that we would have to write a blog for CG1413.

To be frank, I have always been running away form writing. When I came to Singapore, many of my friends back in India asked me to start blogging so that they can catch up with me. I chickened out! I'm just so scared of it. It doesn't feel like we're made for each other.

And here it was. I have a whole module which requires me to write, and that too a blog, where people will criticize my writing and judge me by it (something which is definitely not the strongest of my aspects)!

Unwillingly enough, I created a blog and wrote a profile of myself. Then, as I sat down to write my first post, I remembered something we discussed in the previous class, the importance of reflection. I started reflecting on why I'm so scared of blogging in the first place.

"When I'm talking to someone, I usually don't think twice before what I'm saying. Then, why should I think ten times before writing something? My friends don't hate me for what I say (or so I think ;)). How is writing any different?"

As I thought more and more about it, I started to overcome my fear of writing.

"It couldn't be that bad!"

So, I thought why don't I start my blogging journey with what got me the courage to write it -Reflection!