Today’s workforce is more diverse than ever. Reality changed. It’s no longer about knowing how to work with people like us, but rather being able to work with people different from us. It is no longer realistic to wish to work in a homogeneous environment, but rather to have the ability to thrive in a heterogeneous work environment. 

We don’t always realize the biases or prejudices we have towards our coworkers, or our customers, whom are different from us. And, it is possible we don’t understand how our behaviours affect others.

Learning to understand others can help avoid misunderstandings and prevent any confrontation that might happen in the workplace. Like in any other aspect of diversity, we must respect others and appreciate (which is more than to tolerate) differences to maintain a sense of community.

Before foreseeing a PowerPoint for your next presentation, and neglecting (even forgetting) white boards and flip charts, take the time to read this:

Visual supports

Visual supports help the audience remember key points, they clarify ideas, help you illustrate your words, and strengthen your arguments. They give a rhythm to your presentation and simplify some complexities.

People using visual supports are often seen as more prepared, more persuasive, and more interesting. They reach their goals more often than those not using them.

Studies have shown that a visual support makes a presentation more effective; a recent study from the University of Wisconsin shows that visual supports can improve comprehension and learning up to 200 %.

A visual support is a “support”. Unfortunately, I have too often seen visual supports being used to:

But that is another topic … let’s get back to our original one: analogs or digitals?

The advantages of the analog tools

Visual supports come in many different formats: hand-outs, white boards and flip charts, models, computer screenings and electronic medias, etc.

In our trainings, at Solutions & Co. we still use static writing surfaces such as textbooks, white boards, and flip charts!

What makes analog tools such amazing learning tools is the way they require both the use of the body and the brain in the learning process.

Researches on cognitive matching have shown that the physical process of writing, and doing diagrams helps people learn and remember the information. Using a writing surface like a whiteboard is both kinesthetic and visual, because writing and drawing engages the user both physically and mentally and fosters learning.

When we go through ideas visually, in a constant back and forth manner, in real time and in the same space, we offer a level of social connection different from the one offered by most digital solutions.

Proper use of writing surfaces can facilitate team work, improve commitment, and foster creativity and problem solving. Integrating analog tools in training rooms can allow participants to discuss, to communicate, and to share their ideas. And it helps us connect with each other by encouraging collaboration and sociability.

Conclusion? When we physically express our thoughts and ideas, and we progressively reveal the content, our brains are engaged in a way that release more potential for learning, ideas, solutions, and reflection.

Which ones are more relevant? Analog or digital tools?

Obviously, this not a “digital tools versus analog methods” competition. The ideal path of success is neither one nor the other, but knowing to pick the appropriate support in order to meet the audience’s needs and to reach its goal.

Studies reveal that 73% of teachers having used both connected and offline tools note a rise in students’ interest (Center for Digital Education), and 58% of students state learning better in an environment mixing both digital and analog tools (ECAR undergraduates survey).

The strength lies in the strategical use of your visual supports. Even if technology prevails in most professional environments and modern classrooms, analog tools remain an important and effective tool not to be overlooked.

No matter which visual aid you choose, do not let it overpower your presentation. Even UNESCO reminds us that digital is only to assist education not to replace it. Visual aids are used to enrich your presentation; they do not replace you.

Last month we saw the Reverse brainstorming as an additional way to generate ideas, and to come up with a creative solution to problems. Here is another approach to push your traditional brainstorming sessions a little further:

“Yes, And…” Approach

One method for inciting creative brainstorming is trying a technique used in improvisational theater: “Yes, and…”.

The approach encourages people to collaborate and build on everyone else’s ideas by first agreeing and then adding something to the discussion by replying “yes, and we can also…”.

Taking “no” off the table ensures all ideas are heard and avoids draining the team’s energy.

Working in a multicultural environment can be a satisfying and rewarding professional experience. You can broaden your horizons by learning various communication skills and techniques when interacting with people from various cultural backgrounds.

Cultural differences are many and varied, from beliefs to cultural norms. People from diverse cultural backgrounds enter the work environment with personal and professional practices that vary with respect to social acceptability. These are neither correct nor incorrect, just different. Whether you agree or not, it is important to understand these differences.

Ignorance of multiculturalism can lead to misinterpretations, misunderstandings or even involuntary insults. Skills such as cultural sensitivity, flexibility and effective communication are essential in order to manage the expectations of people from different cultures. The more you understand culture, the better you will be able to perform in a wide variety of interpersonal interactions.

In an open work environment, it is sometimes difficult to focus. Put on noise-canceling headphones for times when you are working on a task that requires concentration. Earphones serve as a visual cue to your colleagues so they do not bother you unless absolutely necessary.

Have a common "code" that symbolizes the unavailability.

Example:

• Two earpieces mean "Leave me alone. I'm focusing."
• Only one earpiece means "Ask before interrupting me."
• Without earphones means "You can interrupt me."

The human mind is an outstanding problem solver but a less impressive storage device. We can hold, according to some estimates, about 1 gigabyte of memory, maybe as much as 10. But our minds are not computers. They don’t rely entirely on memory and objectiveness, as a machine must, but on pattern recognition and insight.

Most of our knowledge resides outside of our heads -in our bodies, in the environment, and most crucially, in other people. In other words, the world is part of our memory.

We don’t necessarily have all the knowledge, but we know where the information is, and we know how to access it or retrieve it.

We have a social brain, we are not built to rely on a single mind. We have succeeded as species because of how well communities of brains work together and of how we share intentionality. We are collectively capable of brilliance.

If we can’t make use of other’s people knowledge, we can’t succeed. We can barely function.

Working in a multicultural environment can be a satisfying and rewarding professional experience. You can broaden your horizons by learning various skills and communicational approaches when you interact with people from other parts of the world. However, working with people from different cultural backgrounds requires a degree of tact and a willingness to learn and to adapt.

There is a wide multitude of cultural differences, ranging from beliefs to cultural norms. People from diverse cultural backgrounds bring personal and professional practices into the work environment that may differ in terms of being socially acceptable. These are neither right nor wrong…only different. Whether you agree with them or not, it is important to understand these differences.

Customers and co-workers come from a variety of backgrounds, and their habits, customs, reasoning, behaviours, values, and communication styles vary according to their background. Our cultural understandings, as well as our prejudices, are challenged by demographic changes that bring us face-to-face with new people and unfamiliar notions.

CULTIVATE CULTURAL AWARENESS

Cultural awareness is the understanding of the differences between oneself and people from other countries or backgrounds, especially differences in behaviour and values.

Cultural awareness is the very foundation of communication, involving the ability to step back and become aware of our cultural values, beliefs and perceptions. Why do we act this way? How do we see the world? Why do we react in such a way, specifically? Cultural awareness becomes key when we have to interact with people from different cultures.

People see, interpret and evaluate things differently. What is considered appropriate behaviour for one culture is often inappropriate for another. Misunderstandings occur when a person uses their own frame of reference when trying to understand another person’s reality.

DEVELOP CULTURAL SKILLS

Cultural skills refer to the ability to interact effectively with people from different cultures and to successfully manage intercultural situations. It is the on-going process of seeking cultural awareness, knowledge and skills that will enable you to respond to people from different cultures in a respectful and effective way, so that their value is recognized, affirmed and valued.

Lack of multicultural knowledge can lead to misinterpretation, misunderstanding or even involuntary insult. Skills such as cultural awareness, flexibility and effective communication are essential to manage the expectations of people from different cultures. The more you understand culture, the more successful you will be in a wide variety of interpersonal interactions.

Our modern workspace is very multicultural, multilingual, intergenerational, etc. It requires the ability to see different perspectives, in order to make the best decisions and to create an inclusive system that enables everyone to be successful in the workplace.

Communicating with different cultures can sometimes be challenging. When we are dealing with people from unfamiliar cultures, it is easy to misinterpret meanings and intentions. This can lead to confusion, discontent and frustration. For communication to be effective, one person must understand the other person’s meaning and intent. The skills associated with effective and successful intercultural communication may seem vague to anyone lacking experience in this form of interaction.

The more you understand the influence of culture, the more effective communication will be.

Geert Hofstede, a social psychologist, defines culture as follows: “We are pack animals. We use language and empathy and work together and engage in competition as a group. The unwritten rules that govern these aspects differ from one group of humans to another. 'Culture' is how we describe this set of unwritten rules that defines how to be a good group member.”

Communicating with different cultures can be difficult. When we deal with people from unfamiliar cultures, it is easy to misinterpret meanings and intentions. This can lead to confusion, unhappiness and frustration. For communication to be successful, we need to understand the meaning and the intent of what the other person has said. The better one understands the influence of culture and its unwritten sets of rules, the more effective communication will be.

There is an African proverb that says: “Alone, I go faster; together, we go further”. A team goes further and is more successful than a single individual when the task at hand is complex, the procedure is unclear or when more than one skill is required.

Working as a team is an asset when what is required is:

• - Creativity
• - Cooperation
• - Innovation
• - Results
• - Effectiveness

However, a team is not built by simply grouping people together. The members of a successful team volunteer their skills. There is a synergy created through the relationship that is established between team members, both at the organizational and the relational level, that allows everyone to go beyond their individual limitations.

It's just like a synchronized swimming team where members swim together! It might take longer to master, but it’s definitely more impressive.

Today’s workforce requires cooperation from five generations. One of the biggest workplace challenges is getting these generations to see past their biases and learn to work together toward common goals since they tend to differ on everything from work hours, etiquette, working remotely and inter-office dynamic.

The following tips are useful for working effectively with ANY generation.

This is easier said than done, of course. Let’s say that you’re convinced that your suggestion would resolve the problem your team is facing. You probably think that your way of thinking is best and that you don’t need to change it. But listen to the arguments of the other people on your team in order to understand what they’re saying. You could discover that they also have excellent ideas and, if it’s not the case, you will be comforted in your opinion.

Get informed on the way others do things. This can give you better comprehension of a situation. Make a list of what’s expressed and see if it changes your opinion.

This doesn’t mean that you should change your mind, but it will help you to have a more open vision.

A team is not automatically effective just because a group of competent and talented people is called to work together.

Groups must go through essential evolution that will start by a grouping of individuals – to arrive at a fully developed and successful team.

When people come together to create a team, it starts with a group of people, each with their own vision, their own ideas, and their own agenda. Then, they start to develop common goals and, by uniting their efforts to reach success, they become a group. It is only once they are entirely united and integrated and they feel all responsible for the results that they can call themselves a “team”.

” Synergy is producing a third alternative – not my way, not your way, but a third way that is better than either of us would come up with individually.  It’s the fruit of mutual respect – of understanding and even celebrating one another’s differences in solving problems, seizing opportunities.  Synergistic teams and families thrive on individual strengths so that the whole becomes greater than the sum of the parts.  Such relationships and teams renounce defensive adversarialism (1+1=1/2). They don’t settle on compromise (1+1= 1 ½ or merely cooperation (1+1=2).  They go for creative cooperation (1+1=3 or more).”

Stephen Covey -7 Habits of Highly Effective People