70–85 minutes (20 minutes for small-group work; 20 minutes for large-group consensus process; 30–45 minutes for debriefing)
Adaptable L M
1. To identify cultural values that are widely accepted in the United States
2. To contrast U.S. values with those held in other countries
3. To identify the implications of cultural differences when conducting business across national values differences
• Sets of “Contrasting Values” cards (run on cardstock paper or glue on index cards)
• Flipchart and tape
• Marking pens
1. Prepare values cards by photocopying the “Contrasting Values” on card stock and cutting them into individual values cards. One complete set should be provided to each small group.
2. Place participants in groups of 3–5. Give each group a set of values cards, tape, and a flipchart page with “U.S. Values” printed on the left side and “Contrasting Values” printed on the right. Ask the group to tape each values card to the side of the easel page on which it belongs. Decisions should be based on the group’s beliefs about dominant U.S. values.
3. In the large group, compare similarities and differences in the placement of each values card and try to reach consensus.
4. Discuss the potential implications of working or negotiating with people whose cultural values are not the same as U.S. values. Identify specific behavioral modifications that will increase effectiveness with groups who hold those contrasting values. (Note: The trainer may wish to have a few examples to help the group get started, if necessary.)
1. For which values sets did you find it easiest to achieve agreement? Which were the hardest? Why?
2. How do you feel about the values that contrast with your own? Which values would be the most difficult for you to adapt to?
3. What personal values made these discussions challenging for you? What cultural values affected the discussion? Were there cultural values that made the discussion less difficult?
4. What have you learned?
5. How can you apply information from this experience to your everyday life?
1. Identifying common U.S. cultural values can allow an individual to contrast her or his personal values with those of the larger culture.
2. Identifying contrasting cultural values can prepare us to be more effective working cross-culturally by adapting our behavior.
3. Identifying cultural values—both our own and those of others—can also help us to avoid stereotyping others (recognizing that there are individual differences within every culture) and to be more understanding when others may stereotype us.
4. Identifying the specific behaviors associated with values can also help us understand that the same value can be demonstrated in different behavioral ways.
Adapted from activities in Developing Intercultural Awareness: A Cross-Cultural Training Handbook by L. Robert Kohls and John M. Knight.
Adapted from activities in Developing Intercultural Awareness: A Cross-Cultural Training Handbook by L. Robert Kohls and John M. Knight.