Diversity in the Workplace

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There are four basic communication styles: expressive, systematic, sympathetic, and direct. Our communication styles affect how others' react to and perceive us. Knowing your communication style and knowing how to manage others' communication styles can reduce conflict, increase productivity, and improve teamwork in the workplace.
Generally, diversity training and seminars about generational differences seek to increase cultural awareness, reduce conflict, and promote teamwork. Being aware of cultural and generational differences can improve employee productivity, enhance the work environment, and contribute toward greater understanding of one another. Knowing how to adapt their communication styles to complement someone else's style will enable employees to sustain productivity and create a harmonious work environment.
Furthermore, recognizing your communication style can help you to understand how your actions are perceived by others. Centuries ago, the Greek physician Hippocrates studied people's personality types. Instead of using basic terms that today's researchers associate with certain personality types, Hippocrates determined one to be sanguine, phlegmatic, melancholic, or choleric. Although he believed that certain body fluids such as blood, phlegm, bile, and black bile determined one's temperament, he was on to something.
Conflicting situations are bound to occur in the workplace, but unlike Hippocrates, we can take an active approach by being aware of others' communication styles and then adapting our style to find that balance.
There are typically four basic communication styles. Today, researchers use the terms expressive, systematic, sympathetic, and direct. Modern researchers have also differentiated the terms personality and communication style. In fact, communication styles are probably more determined by our needs at a given moment than by our personalities, which tend to be constant traits.
For example, someone who is generally a nice person could be having a bad day. Or, a generally positive co-worker could be experiencing symptoms of depression following the loss of a loved one. Temporary occurrences like these don't reflect our personalities but can affect how we communicate with one another.
We can avoid conflict and misunderstandings by paying close attention to how those around us communicate. Communication can be verbal or nonverbal, in the form of body language. If you sense an imbalance, then adjust the way you're communicating either verbally or physically. For example, if you sense that the person you are speaking to is nervous because you're standing over him, then try sitting down.
The basic communication styles
Here is a list of the four basic communication styles and an explanation of how certain types are perceived. You may want to take an assessment to learn your general style. Following the assessment, take into consideration that no one style is better than another. You may also discover that your style is a mix of all four styles.
1 Expressives tend to have high energy, speak quickly, and focus on the big picture. They generally find conflict or differences in opinion invigorating. Others can perceive expressives as overly cheerful, vain, or unpredictable.
2 Systematics focus on the facts and details, and not the big picture. They're generally not comfortable with conflict. Others can perceive systematics as unemotional or nonchalant.
3 Sympathetics like to focus on people and relationships. They are good listeners and generally concerned with everyone's needs. Sympathetics typically don't like conflict. Others can perceive sympathetics as soft-hearted or overly helpful. They can also appear to be procrastinators when distracted.
4 Directs generally keep conversation brief and are often involved in many things at once. They tend to see the big picture and are more focused on the outcome than on smaller tasks. Directs can appear self-confident, intimidating, and opinionated.
Communication styles in the workplace
Discovering your communication style is the first step. Now you need to learn how to adjust your style according to the situation. Expressives, for example, tend to be hyperactive. When dealing with an expressive, it's necessary to remain calm, speak slowly, and control the pace of the interaction.
Systematics are characterized as orderly, but careful when carrying out tasks. Sometimes they can be overly cautious. For example, a systematic who is learning a new computer skill may be hesitant to touch his keyboard out of fear that he will break something. When dealing with systematics, be patient, be their guide, and give them confidence to complete tasks.
Sympathetics are nurturing and born socializers. However, they may spend too much time socializing instead of focusing on more important matters. When you encounter sympathetics, share their concern and be supportive, but inform them that you must stay on task and that you've got work to do.
Lastly, directs are generally pressed for time. They're usually not concerned with the details but just want to know the facts, and they want to know them in a hurry. Because they usually run from meeting to meeting, they are sometimes seen as lacking emotion. Don't take this perceived lack of emotion personally. In the presence of a direct, be direct but detailed, and politely speak up if you feel that her demands are unreasonable. It's better to let directs know up front if you'll not be able to meet their request, than for them to find out later.
Experienced training professionals know all too well how their communication styles affect learning, and that the interactions that take place during training can have an effect on desired outcomes. When it comes to training, practicing good communication techniques is a must, and knowing your communication style certainly helps. Training professionals can teach their good communication practices to the rest of the organization in an effort to maintain or restore balance where conflict, productivity, and teamwork are lacking.


When I hear the word diversity the first thing that comes to my mind is a difference in race. For years this visible, cultural difference has been the cause of many conflicts. After reading this most recent article my eyes have been opened to just how many meanings diversity actually has. In the workplace the number one issue diversity brings to the table is varrying communication styles. There are four basic types: systematic, direct, sympathetic and expressive. The way we communicate is everything. Once you discover how your personality is perceived by those around you, you will have a better understanding on what kinds of people you should surround yourself with and how to handle those in which you do not see eye to eye.

This article has the potential to affect any age who reads it. The author breaks down the four main styles of communication. Expressive is generally energetic, focus on the big picture and find conflict when others disagree in opinion. systematic are opposite and focus on fine details. Sympathetics love people, they listen well and care about others well being. Finally, directs are involved in many things at once, they are more concerned with the final outcome of things rather than smaller detailed tasks. The author goes into depth one step further with each of these topics and describes how to adjust your own personal style depending the situation you are put in.

It is my belief that diversity is what keeps our world from falling into black and white. As literal as that sounds, I don't mean it in a way of Caucasions vs. African Americans. I mean in every aspect. Without the shy, smart, energetic, optimistic personalities, without Mexicans, Asians, Africans, jews, christians, muslims our lives would lack varrying experiences and ideas. It is completely necessary we all get a taste of as many walks of life as possible during the remainder of our existence on earth. Opening your eyes to those who share different opinions or racial backgrounds is what strengthens the heart to grow. Diversity is visible everywhere, not just in the workplace. Take a look around.

Defining Hate Crimes

The 1960s was a very ugly time for America. Whites and blacks were kept seperate by law. Although both groups were claimed to have been treated equally, history shows us blacks were generally looked down upon with disgust by whites. This division of people was created based solely on the fact that blacks were different and different meant they didn't deserve the same rights as the "normal" white people.
Unfortunately today this lack of acceptance does not just have to do with race. Religion, gender, disability and sexual orientation are other factors that come into play as reasons to hate. Since the beginning of time this strong emotion has driven people to do stupid and crazy things. When these crazy things happen to break the law they are defined as a hate crime. Now how, do you ask, is a hate crime any different from a normal crime? The answer is, a criminal must be "motivated by hostility as a member of a group (as one based on color, creed, gender, or sexual orientation)." in order for a normal crime to be transformed into a hate crime.
It has been said that "hate crimes are message crimes." They are trying to communicate a message to a certain group that they are unwelcome. My question is why? I am a very strongly opinionated person and if someone challenges an idea of mine I will fight to show my beliefs, but I still find a way to listen and accept what others have to say no matter how much I disagree with the words leaving their mouths. How someone could disagree with such passion to harm other people in order to prove a point is beyond me.
I have a very hard time coming to grips with this concept. If not all, I would guess a large amount of crimes committed are driven by hate. Unless the criminal admits to acting out to specifically target a certain "type" of person I believe most hate crimes would be hard to prove. America has come a long way since the 60s but still has a ways to go. It is my hope that someday everyone will take the examples that others have left before us and learn from them.

In today’s lesson you are asked to analyze a song for its representation/expression of a social issue. You are asked to choose a song that addresses a social issue in its lyrics. The song may be aimed at a person, event, institution, social pattern, etc. You will then analyze the representation of that issue in the song, research the social issue, and use your research to support your argument in agreement with or opposition to the song artist.


Song: I Believe (Obama Tribute)
Artist: R. Kelly
Genre: R&B/Soul
Time period/year of release: 2009
What is the issue being addressed by the song? Political Diversity/Acceptance
What is the song artist’s point of view or opinion? The victory of Obama becoming president shows just how far America has come since the days when blacks and whites were treated as separate rather than equal.
Cite song lyrics (or music video images) to support and fully develop the artist’s perspective.
What are contextual factors surrounding the writing of this song? (Were there any major social events taking place around the time of the song’s writing? Examples: war, oppression, economic crisis, social liberty success or struggle.) This song was made in regards to the Presidential election of 2008. "Got to the mountain and lead the path for me your victory made history and now I believe." In this example of lyrics he is describing how Obama's victory has shown minority that the world is changing and anything is possible.


Research (Include a list of resources at the end of your paper)
Use online resources to research the social issue discussed in the song. Collect facts and statistics, identify key people and events, and summarize the public’s attitude towards the issue.
What is the issue?
Who is affected?
Identify the varying perspectives of the public towards the issue. (Who is supportive, opposing, what are their views and arguments)
What is the severity of the issue? (How many people affected, how much damage, etc.)
What is the significance of the issue? (What’s the big deal?)
Is this a moral, political, economic, ethical issue?
Is there any one in control of the issue, or who has strong influence over the issue?
What has been done or is being done to address the issue?
Is the issue being resolved or becoming more controversial?

Critique
Did you find information in your research that supported the artist’s point of view? Identify parts of the artist’s opinion that were supported by your research and explain how they were supported using the information from your research.
Identify parts of the artist’s opinion that were not supported by your research and explain how your research opposed the artist’s view.
Do you share the artist’s opinion on this issue? Why or why not? Support your arguments with your research.

Paper
Part I: Song Analysis (2 pts.) Part III: Critique (4 pts.)
Part II: Research Summary (4 pts.) Part IV: Resources Page