75–120 minutes (30 minutes for small-group discussion; 45–90 minutes for discussion and debriefing, depending on the number of cultural groups)
Note: This activity requires that there be multiple identifiable cultural groups in the training, representing national differences, ethnic or racial differences, occupational differences, or gender differences. The instructions are written for national differences. You can readily modify the instructions for use with other group differences.
Work L–M P, D, M
1. To identify culture-specific values of the participants
2. To identify how these values affect behavior in the workplace
3. To examine cross-cultural workplace perceptions
4. To identify effective cross-cultural workplace adaptations
• Flipchart and marking pens
• Masking tape to post the newsprint
• Differences in Cultural Values Worksheet (see Appendix B, page 233)
• Values Differences Handout (see Appendix C, page 235)
1. Give each participant a copy of the “Differences in Cultural Values” worksheet (Appendix B) and the “Values Differences” handout (Appendix C). Ask participants to group themselves by their country of origin.
2. Ask each group to identify and circle the primary value of their country of origin on each row of the “Differences in Cultural Values” worksheet. Tell them they can refer to the “Values Differences” handout for more information, should they need it. Ask them to describe how these values would be demonstrated behaviorally in the workplace, using newsprint to do so. Give them approximately 30 minutes for this discussion.
3. Ask each group to display their descriptions and to report their values and behaviors to the large group.
4. In the large group, discuss the following:
• Where are there differences in values? Behaviors?
• How might these differences be misinterpreted in the workplace?
• What tools or behaviors could help reduce misperceptions?
1. What happened during your culture-specific discussion?
2. How did you feel during the culture-specific discussion? As you listened to other groups reporting?
3. What personal values do you hold that are different from those of your country of origin? What values do you hold that have been challenged during this activity?
4. What have you learned?
5. How can you apply what you learned to your workplace?
1. Although culture-specific values and behaviors may be identifiable, there are also individual differences within any cultural group.
2. When individuals from two or more countries work together, they may contribute different culturally based work values. The differences in values can offer additional resources. They may also result in misperceptions and conflict.
3. Understanding the differences in cultural values can help us avoid conflict and enable us to discuss conflicts when they occur.
© Executive Diversity Services, Inc., Seattle, Washington, 1996.