University Leadership Module: Intelligent Behavior Assignment Analysis

This assignment delves into the challenges faced by managers when applying motivational approaches in multicultural environments. It highlights the communication and language barriers that arise due to differing cultural perspectives and practices. The assignment provides a real-world example of language barriers within a team and suggests solutions such as using gestures, body language, diagrams, and written messages to overcome these issues. Furthermore, it reflects on the learning outcomes, emphasizing the importance of understanding and celebrating different cultures, utilizing non-verbal communication, and adopting an empathetic and open-minded approach to leadership. The assignment is based on the provided references, which include videos and academic articles, and it aligns with the concepts of path-goal leadership in a multicultural setting. The assignment emphasizes that leaders must be good listeners and empathetic towards other cultures and their beliefs.

Running head: INTELLIGENT BEHAVIOR
Intelligent Behavior
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1INTELLIGENT BEHAVIOR
1. What problems might a manager face when using the various
motivations approaches discussed in chapter 5?- Please refer below
references.
The most daunting issue that managers in a multicultural organizations face
are the language barrier and communication gap. Different cultures have different
perspectives and practices (Beckham, 2011). Their method of showing respect is
different and may clash with the manager. Another problem that the managers might
face while using motivational approaches is difficulty in expressing their views and
opinion. The manager must be able to express to each of the employees about the
decisions. If he is unable to communicate the thoughts or read the language of other
people, both verbal and non-verbal, that is a problematic situation.
2. Provide an example and then provide some possible solutions.
The most problematic situation in a cross cultural organization is
communication issues due to language barrier. For example, in many cases, people
from the same team might have different language. One might speak English and the
other Chinese. Each of them might face difficulty in understanding each other’s
language. In this context, trying to convey the ideas and thoughts through verbal
communication is problematic.
The solution to this problem is trying to convey the thoughts using gestures
and body language (McFarlin & Sweeney, 2012). Other than these non-verbal
communication methods, graphs, diagrams and written messages may be used to
minimize confusion and misunderstanding.

2INTELLIGENT BEHAVIOR
3. What did you learn about this discussion?
From this discussion, I learnt that cross-cultural barriers though present might be
overcome using certain considerations. Learning about each other’s culture, their
practices and beliefs and celebrating them is essential. Moreover, using non-verbal
communication and changing one’ perspective and standpoint is necessary (Larina,
2015). Leaders will have be good listener and empathetic towards other cultures and
their beliefs.

3INTELLIGENT BEHAVIOR
References
Beckham, T. (2011). Tony Beckham: Cross-cultural Leadership [Video]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4phrLWxXq7A#action=share
Larina, T. (2015). Culture-specific communicative styles as a framework for interpreting
linguistic and cultural idiosyncrasies. International Review of Pragmatics, 7(2), 195-
215.
McFarlin, D., & Sweeney, P. (2012). International organizational behavior: Transcending
borders and cultures. Routledge.