Demonstrate the interpersonal and engagement skills necessary for effective leaders in a global community or organization
Artifacts
Collaboration course, collaboration post week four… Prompt: Suppose you are a business manager and your company has decided to move into the global marketplace. Your job is to research two nations and compile a list of do’s and don’ts when working within those countries’ cultural norms. First, choose two cultures that are dissimilar to yours (and dissimilar to each other), then research the nations’ cultural norms (could be verbal, nonverbal or customs). Share with the class at least five cultural tips from each nation that highlight the cultural differences. Give examples of specific actions or phrases that breach cultural taboos. Explain how they transgress cultural sensibilities, and provide a culturally acceptable alternative.
Response:
Ethics of Globalization course, final assignment: GE Assignment 3 Scorpuz FINAL (2) (This artifact is a PowerPoint Presentation. Please view in slide show mode to enable notes pages). Assignment instructions: In this assignment, you are a consultant for an American organization or corporation (I chose Arista, a strong Silicon Valley organization) who wants to open up operations in another country. You have to determine what type of overseas presence in that country would best serve the interests of the organization. You have been charged with developing a well-researched Management Plan for successful operations, communication, and leadership in that country/region.
Rationale
The first artifact outlines what I consider crucial for interpersonal global communication… cultural intelligence. As an undergrad in International Business, I learned about the importance of “differences” and gained the understanding that I will not automatically understand the nuances and mannerisms (humor, idioms, traditions, etc.) and so it is vital for me to be aware that I have much to learn BEFORE I engage in any type of communication/relationship with multi-cultural businesses. Researching a culture prior to engaging is a topic that cannot be stressed enough. The artifact shows the differences based on simple research and reveals areas in which some may need to be sensitive, less he/she ruin the business relationship. We must be aware of verbal and non verbal communication, what is acceptable in society and what is taboo. If we don’t put the initial effort into learning about the differences, we stand to offend and fail.
The final assignment for Ethics of Globalization (PowerPoint Presentation) addresses the impact of globalization, political and/or current events, cultural understandings/sensitivity, leadership principles, religious considerations, legal/trade frameworks and/or policies, and important ethical considerations. The ability to integrate these areas into a sound management plan shows that I have mastered the important areas in interpersonal and intercultural communication and am able to use my skills to design and plan a master strategy. I am not actually implementing but I know how important execution is, it can make or break the project, so if you notice I have included several slides dedicated to effective execution of the plan. Also please notice the importance I place on cultural and ethical intelligence, training for employees and the use of multi-cultural teams.
Change
Personally-Many areas of the coursework address this learning objective: Dialogue, Collaboration, Ethical Frameworks, Ethics and Globalization, Change and Money, Meaning and Power. I only touched on Collaboration/Ethics and Globalization above, but it worth noting that many of the Claremont Core courses touch on interpersonal communication, and global cultural and ethical intelligence. Personally, I am enriched. I have gained a broad perspective of communication, what it is and what it can be, where as I had a very narrow concept before I started this program. I thought dialogue was two people talking. My knowledge of collaboration extended to working on a project with others. My knowledge was not deep, or thoughtful and I never reflected upon my actions or reactions within this interpersonal scope. Now I am an avid listener, knowing that the more I take in, the better I can form an intelligent response that is not only thoughtful but meaningful.
Professionally- Before this program, I don’t think I would have attempted to create a management strategy for moving a company globally. Now I can not only design a sound strategy, but I can articulate ideas and concerns that one must think about before implementing such a large scale change. I don’t foresee an opportunity to expand internatinoally in the organization in which I work currently, but if the opportunity presents itself, I will be ethically, culturally and emotionally ready.
Change in me as a person-I am not the same person I was fifteen months ago. What the CLU Master’s program has given me is priceless. I have gained knowledge and ability which gives me confidence to move forward, knowing I can handle what life has for me. I don’t think many people can say that, especially in terms of ethics, and I am sure most people don’t even think about whether they are prepared with the knowledge and the emotional intelligence to handle themselves properly when faced with questionable interpersonal communication, un-compassionate communication and unethical behavior. To be a leader in today’s world, I must possess a strong sense of Self, have access to resources and have a network of support in order to stand firm and move myself and my ideas up market. It all comes down to interpersonal communication and how you execute your actions. One must be intentional, sensitive, and one must be willing to sacrifice to make a difference.
Shannon Corpuz 