MGMT1201: Reflective Essay on Cultural Intelligence in Communication

This reflective essay examines the concepts of culture, identity, and communication, focusing on their interconnectedness within a business context. The essay explores the impact of cultural identity on communication, differentiating between personal, social, and communal identities and providi...Read More

Running Head: MANAGEMENT
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Business communication
6/29/2019

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The assignment brings about the discussion on the concept of culture, identity, and
communication. The term culture refers to the set of beliefs, values, thinking, and behaviour
of individuals amongst a group. The discussion is the reflective essay that will analyse the
concept and impact of cultural identity on the communication. The concept of personal,
social, and communal identity will be demonstrated in the reflective essay. I will mention
about communication in the workplace, along with the examples from the real life
experiences.
In our class lectures, and sessions, I have learnt the concept of cultural identity and
the relatedness to the communication. Cultural identity refers to the identity of feeling of
belonging to the group, and forms a part of the self-conception, and perception towards self
and society in context to different aspects. We understood that learning the concept of
cultural identity will build strong self-esteem, and support wellbeing. According to my
understanding, the concept of cultural identity in an individual’s personal, as well as
professional life. I have observed some of the successful organisations with the strong
culture and values such as Zappos, Nike, Google, and others. These organisations have
strong culture, which has achieved effectiveness, where employee’s interests are aligned with
the organisational goals. Furthermore, we were taught three principles of cultural identity, i.e.
personal, social, and communal identity, and their significance in shaping the communication
(Ramdhani, Ramdhani & Ainissyifa, 2017).
Personal/individual identity is the analysis of one’s own experiences, thoughts,
thereby represents interpretation of an individual’s cultural identity. Relational identity
includes the development of relations with other persons, let say in an organisation.
Example, I have been a positive personality from the perspective of other individuals, which
state that change in behaviour according to situations, and types of interactions. On the other
hand, we learnt a different concept of communal identity, which is defined as the identity or
values of a group, their activities, and other rituals (Ting-Toomey & Dorjee, 2018). The
above mentioned identities or culture within an organisation or society impacts an
individual’s interaction or communication. I have understood that through understanding
the social, and communal identity, I can identify the issue of differences between
individuals belonging to varied cultures. Learning about the cultural differences will
facilitate gaining insights into different cultures, and strategies to manage work relationships.

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For an example, I have experienced the issue of cultural difference amongst my peers, i.e.
classmates during our college years, and while working in an organisation. The reason behind
these differences was ineffective or weak cultural practices and low support for people
working from different countries or regions. This demonstrated the need of improving the
intercultural communication, and develops strong cultural intelligence. Establishing cultural
intelligence is vital for the managers to become capable to relate and work effectively across
different cultures. In this way, culture or cultural identity affects the flow of communication
amongst people within organisation (Holmes, 2018).
Intrapersonal skills refer to the skills and communication that occur in one’s own
mind and personality. Discussing about the intrapersonal skills, I have analysed that I have
strong and correct sense of my own skills, and communication, to lead change in the life.
Examples of my own intrapersonal skills consist of self-discipline, and open-mindedness.
However, I have low self-esteem, as I lack the aspect of self-motivation which is essential to
grow and develop as an individual. Our professors, while in the lecture of cultural identity,
explained that we must have effective and strong intrapersonal skills. This is because of that
these skills develop a strong base of our career, and ensure growth in the future years. In the
business organisations, intrapersonal skills determine our interaction, and communication
with other people, which develops cultural intelligence.
Canadian identity refers to the unique culture which is primarily influenced by
different European cultures, and traditions of the constituent nationalities. Moreover, I
discovered that the culture of the Canada involves certain major or important values such as
fairness, equality, inclusiveness, and social justice. The cultural intelligence or culture at the
Canadian organisations engages employees in their decision-making and believes in
maintaining strong relationships (Holmes, 2018). Moreover, we analysed that the Canadians
understand and value the aspect of cultural differences and ensure equal treatment to all
people /employees in the organisation. This has been explained by our professors during our
class lectures for providing an understanding of the significance of culture in workplace.
From the above discussion, I can state that it is vital for individuals or groups working in the
organisation develop effective skills to improve their organisation. I have assessed an
important aspect or skill to improve my communication, and interpersonal skills, to work
effectively in the organisations. This would also lead to the professional growth and success
in the future years (Ladegaard & Jenks, 2015).

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To conclude the above discussion it has been analysed that communication plays an
important role amongst people in the business organisations. Organisations that practice with
strong culture and communication lead to success in the longer period. The reflective essay
has described the meaning and influence of the culture on the communication in the
workplace. I have understood and analysed the importance of communication for individual
development in the long period.

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References
Holmes, J. (2018). Intercultural communication in the workplace. Routledge handbook of
language in the workplace, 335-347.
Ladegaard, H. J. & Jenks, C. J. (2015). Language and intercultural communication in the
workplace: Critical approaches to theory and practice. Language and Intercultural
Communication, 15(1), 1-12.
Ramdhani, A., Ramdhani, M. A. & Ainissyifa, H. (2017). Conceptual Framework of
Corporate Culture Influenced on Employees Commitment to
Organization. International Business Management, 11(3), 826-830.
Ting-Toomey, S. & Dorjee, T. (2018). Communicating across cultures. United Kingdom:
Guilford Publications.