Humans communicate on many levels: spoken language, tone, body language, style and personality. The fact that we have complex cultural identities and a host of differing past experiences increases the probability of cross-cultural miscommunications. This workshop presents major cross-cultural communication theories, ways that cultural values, power, privilege and differences affect the way we communicate, tools for questioning assumptions, and ways to improve cross-cultural communications skills.

1. What I Said and What I Meant:
Cross Cultural Communication
The Orchard School
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee
Seattle Girls’ School
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

2. About Seattle Girls’ School
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3. Goals
 Learn cross cultural communication
theories and dimensions of variability
among cultures.
 Examine how power, privilege, and
difference affects communication
 Identify skills and tools to increase
cross-cultural effectiveness
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

4. Agenda
 Cross Cultural Communication
 Discussion: Cross Cultural Conflict
 Break
 Cultural Identifiers, Power, and Communication
 Exercise: Whispers
 Break
 Cross Cultural Communication Skills
 Discussion: How Can I Apply All This?
 Resources
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

5. Cross Cultural Communication
 What is it?
 How is it Different from Intercultural
Communication?
 CCC Theories
– Face-Negotiation Theory
– Conversational Constraints Theory
– Expectancy Violation Theory
– Anxiety/Uncertainty Management Theory
– Communication Accommodation Theory
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6. Dimensions of Variability
Individual - Collectivistic
Low Context - High Context
Masculinity - Femininity
Low Uncertainty - High Uncertainty
Vertical - Horizontal
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7. Factors that Influence
 Personality Orientation
 Individual Values
 Self Construal
- Independent
- Interdependent
 Individual Socialization
 Cultural Norms and Rules
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8. Cultural Values
Norms, and Rules
 Values
 Value Priorities
 Norms of Behavior
 Non-Verbal
Communication
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

9. RELATIONAL
Cultural Value Differences Individualism
self-reliance, independence
Collectivism
group interdependence
(selfis h ) (mindless follower)
Informality Formality
directness, give and take discussion indirectness, protect "face"
(rude and abrupt) (stiff and impersonal)
Competition Cooperation
individual achievement group achievement
(egotistical, show-off) (avoiding doing work or taking responsibility)
AUTHORITY
Egalitarianism Hierarchy
fairness, belief in equal opportunity privilege of status or rank
(being picky, on a soapbox) (power hungry or avoiding accountability)
TEMPORAL
Use of Time Passage of Time
"Time is money" "Time is for life"
(doesn’t get the important things in life) (lazy and irresponsible)
Change/Future Tradition/Past
Adaptability ensures survival Stability ensures survival
(muckraker, stirs up trouble) (old-school, afraid of change)
ACTIVITY
Action orientation "Being" orientation
"Make things happen" "Let things happen"
(rushes without thinkin g ) (indecisive and slow)
Practicality Idealism
Efficiency is always best Always maintain principles
(impersonal and unscrupulous) (naïve and impractical)
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

10. Discussion: Cross Cultural Conflict
Think about a recent conflict which you
now know to be true to be at cultural
communication difference. Using some of
the terminology introduced, discuss with a
partner or group of three what was going
on to cause the conflict.
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11. Break
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12. Identifiers, Power,
and Communication
Internalized Oppression/Dominance
Stereotype Threat
Accumulated Impact
Code/Mode Switching
Fish Seeing the Water
“Normal” versus “Good”
“Intent” versus “Impact”
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

13. Exercise: Whispers
Rosetta Lee, Adapted from “Double Talk,” Thiagi.com
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

14. Exercise: Whispers
Form groups of 3.
Decide who will be A, B, or C.
 Person A reads “whisper script 1.” Based on
the instructions, whisper into Person B’s ear.
Persons B and C hold a 3-minute
conversation about their learning from the
workshop that they found most interesting.
Rosetta Lee, Adapted from “Double Talk,” Thiagi.com
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

15. Exercise: Whispers
ROUND 2
 Person B reads “whisper script 2.” Based on
the instructions, whisper into Person C’s ear.
Persons C and A hold a 3-minute
conversation about their respective families.
Rosetta Lee, Adapted from “Double Talk,” Thiagi.com
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

16. Exercise: Whispers
ROUND 3
 Person C reads “whisper script 3.” Based on
the instructions, whisper into Person A’s ear.
Persons A and B hold a 3-minute
conversation about their career hopes and
aspirations.
Rosetta Lee, Adapted from “Double Talk,” Thiagi.com
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

17. Debrief: Whispers
1. How did the whispers in your ear affect your
communication?
2. How did the whispers in the your partner’s ear affect
your interpretation of the his/her words and demeanor?
3. Were elements of this exercise familiar? How did (and
which of ) your identities make this exercise more/less
so?
4. Please share a personal experience (if any) as applies to
any of the following:
a. Internalized Oppression/Dominance
b. Stereotype Threat
c. Accumulated Impact
d. Code/Mode Switching
e. Fish Seeing the Water
f. Norm to Normal to Good
g. “Intent” versus “Impact”
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

18. Cross Cultural Communication Skills
• Know Dimensions of
Variability
• Learn Cultural Values
and Norms
• Examine Cultural
Identities, Power, and
Privilege
• Know Your Own Place in
these Elements
• Practice Effective
Communication Models
• Be able to Adjust and
Accommodate for
Others Based on
Knowledge
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19. Effective Communication Models
Common Threads
SUPPORTIVE DEFENSIVE
Description Evaluation
Problem-Orientation Control
Spontaneity Strategy
Empathy Neutrality
Equality Superiority
Provisionalism Certainty
Brenda J. Allen, Difference Matters: Communicating Social Identity
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20. Assumptions and Interpretations
• Mental Models
• Ladder of Inference
Belief
Conclusions
Selective Data
Observable Data
• Tools of Action
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21. Checking Assumptions and
Interpretations: Steps to Analyze
1. What did you see/hear (raw data)?
2. What are your personal filters (cultural
values, norms, and identifiers)?
3. What was your interpretation of what you
saw/heard (inference)?
4. How did you feel as a result?
5. What do you want?
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22. Continuum of Cross-Cultural Fluency
and Competence
Developmental Model of Intercultural
Sensitivity (DMIS) Schematic
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23. TOOL: The Four Ps of Change
• Policy – A diversity mission statement that enumerates
identities that are protected, celebrated, and welcome.
• Programming - Training for teachers and staff on cultural
competency skillsets. Support for teachers and staff in
implementing classroom and practice changes.
Identity development support for students. Curriculum
that teaches young people about and utilizing diversity.
• Practice - Consistent and meaningful revisit of policy and
programs. Climate assessments, proactive changes,
and meaningful responses to incidents.
• PEOPLE - Critical mass of people who are supportive
AND active on all levels.
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24. Discussion:
How Will I Apply All This?
1. How do you see materials
from this workshop applying
to your roles?
2. What questions do you still
have?
3. What are your personal action
steps?
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25. Cultural Effectiveness
“To be culturally effective doesn’t
mean you are an authority in the
values and beliefs of every culture.
What it means is that you hold a
deep respect for cultural differences
and are eager to learn, and willing to
accept, that there are many ways of
viewing the world”
Okokon O. Udo
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26. Final Questions or Comments?
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27. Resources
• “Stereotype Threat” by Joshua Aronson
• David K. Berlo, The Process of Communication (New York: Holt,
Rinehart, and Winston, 1960)
• Brenda J. Allen, Difference Matters: Communicating Social Identity
• William Gudykunst, Cross-Cultural and Intercultural Comunication
• Milton Bennett, PhD, Intercultural Communication Institute
www.intercultural.org
• National Coalition Building Institute
• “Non-Verbal Communication Across Cultures” by Erica Hagen,
Intercultural Communication Resources
• Thiagi.com
• Thrive! Team Dynamics
• Nonverbal Violations by Stella Ting-Toomey
• http://www.analytictech.com/mb021/action_science_ history.htm
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

28. Presenter Information
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee
6th Faculty and
Professional Outreach
Seattle Girls’ School
2706 S Jackson Street
Seattle WA 98144
(206) 805-6562
rlee@seattlegirlsschool.org
http://tiny.cc/rosettalee
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)