Ikea

Reflection Paper # 3

Question #4, pg 120 (Adler)

Name: Lindsay Naylor

Student Number: 040752743

Course: MHR 700

Section: 011

Professor: Susan Fitzrandolph

October 17th, 2007

Creating Culturally Synergetic Solutions (#4, page 122)

People see diversity in difference ways. Some choose to ignore the differences; others see differences in cultures as a negative side of doing business. As discussed in the Adler text people, especially managers, often see recognizing diversity and differences in the work place as prejudice, discrimination, ethnocentric or unprofessional. However, in today's international and borderless workplace we all must learn to value diversity. People are not homogenous or similar and we must develop from ethnocentric views to cultural contingency. One of the ways in which managers can learn to make decisions for the organization is through cultural synergy. Solutions are generated that leverage differences in cultures while at the same time respecting the uniqueness of every culture. When synergy is used to resolve problems several benefits of incorporating diversity can be recognized including, having multiple perspectives and interpretations, along with increasing creativity, flexibility and having a better understanding of the markets in which the business is operating in.

There are certain skills that people can develop to aid in the ability of developing synergic solutions. In reflecting on my personality, experiences and workstyle I believe that I am a passionate listener, an inclusive leader, a problem solver, I am empathic, creative and very respectful. I have worked in a restaurant and an office where I am exposed to several different cultures, where I must resolve conflicts from cultural differences. I have also done some traveling and I have also been surrounded by others who have spent significant time traveling. Previously I have completed a diversity course as well as a communication course which both look at differences in cultures, differences in behaviour, and different communication styles. From all my skills and experience I believe that they enable me to create synergetic solutions to global problems.

Culturally synergetic solutions are only one of five ways discussed in the text in resolving cultural differences. However, I will only compare my skills in how they relate to creating culturally synergic solutions. Creating culturally synergetic solutions is a three step process in which begins with describing the situation from both or all cultural perspectives involved. This stage involves that you think about not only how you perceive the situation but how others from the cultures you are interacting with perceive the situation. In looking at the skills in which I identified I feel that my skill as a passionate listener would be beneficial. Often when people are interacting with others they do not pay attention to the cues that people use while communicating or expressing their feelings. I would be able to listen to the others involved and ensure that I hear their side in its entirety. I also feel that I display great empathy, where I am able to put myself in others position and understanding what they are going through. This is beneficial to creating synergic solutions because during this step you must be able to look at how others see a situation. I am able to see how they would feel a certain way and understand why the problem is created. Lastly, a skill that I believe fits with all three stages of this process is that I am very respectful. This is important because when someone is not extremely respectful of others and other cultures it can create situations of insult or distrust which instead of aiding in the creation of synergetic solutions hinders and possibly halts the process.

The second stage of creating culturally synergetic solutions is cultural interpretation of the cultures. Again my empathy skills play a large role in being able to see other peoples' perspectives. This has been demonstrated in several situations including one day at work when someone was explaining an incident where an employee left work 20 min early without punching out. In her culture it was ok to leave work because family was waiting to pick her up, however in the Canadian culture when you are scheduled to work until 10pm you must finish your shift. As a result, someone told the boss and a note was placed in her file. From this situation I could see how the Canadian culture views leaving early as punishable however, in her culture she valued family over work and did not believe her family should come second.