KnowledgeCity

Communicating About Cultural Sensitivity

Effectively collaborate with your diverse work community to solve problems and reach your teams’ goals
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Course: On-Demand
Intermediate  Provider Heidi Jenkins  7 Lessons ·  20m  in German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese Simplified 

Course Description

In this course, you will learn the primary components of effectively discussing diversity and gain methods that can help you master workplace communication skills to create and maintain an inclusive work environment. You’ll also discover how to unlock your potential to develop your interpersonal relationships skills through asking questions, encouraging feedback, and reflecting on your own actions.

You may already have an inclusive mindset and know how to address your own biases, but the next step to discussing culturally sensitive topics is engaging with others. The workplace is becoming more diverse, which brings plenty of opportunities to collaborate with new kinds of people. While this is beneficial, it’s also one of the most challenging parts of work. This course will help you overcome the social aspects that relate to addressing cultural differences, so you can maintain respectful and productive relationships, which can ultimately lead to a progressive organization.

We’ll also look at initiatives HR can promote for a more inclusive company culture. Practicing cultural sensitivity allows us to become aware of the messages we’re sending and receiving, and to understand that our culture influences how we communicate. Discovering considerate ways to speak with each other allows us to have meaningful dialogue, regardless of our differences.

Anyone may be able to have a basic conversation about topics directly related to projects or procedures, but some work interactions are far more complex, in that they highlight sensitive areas of our identities. We will assess dialogue and its different purposes and benefits for the workplace. You will apply the fundamentals of professional communication which include active listening skills, asking appropriate questions, and handling feedback. In Communicating About Cultural Sensitivity, we’ll provide you with all the tools you need to communicate effectively when dealing with culturally sensitive topics.

What You'll Learn

  • Identify the primary components of effectively discussing diversity in the workplace
  • Communicate clearly to support successful, inclusive workplaces
  • Promote active and empathetic listening when addressing cultural differences
  • Encourage questions, feedback, and reflection to build interpersonal relationship skills
  • Apply the fundamentals of professional communication to culturally sensitive topics
  • Recognize HR initiatives that promote a more inclusive company culture

Key Takeaways

  • Practicing cultural sensitivity helps you become aware of the messages you send and receive and how culture influences communication.
  • Clear communication, active and empathetic listening, appropriate questions, and handling feedback are fundamentals of professional communication.
  • As the workplace becomes more diverse, collaborating with new kinds of people brings both opportunities and challenges.
  • Engaging considerately with others on culturally sensitive topics helps maintain respectful, productive relationships and a progressive organization.
  • Reflection, feedback, and questions are important for developing interpersonal relationship skills and meaningful dialogue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this course for?

It is for anyone who wants to communicate effectively about culturally sensitive topics and help create and maintain an inclusive work environment, including those who already have an inclusive mindset and want to take the next step of engaging with others.

What does the course cover?

It covers the primary components of discussing diversity, communicating clearly, promoting active and empathetic listening, and encouraging questions, feedback, and reflection. It also looks at initiatives HR can promote for a more inclusive company culture.

What skills will I gain?

You will build skills in cultural sensitivity, diversity awareness, intercultural communication, intercultural competence, diversity training, and sensitivity training, applying fundamentals such as active listening, asking appropriate questions, and handling feedback.

How is the course structured?

It includes lessons on Introduction, Communicating Clearly, Promoting Active, Empathetic Listening, Encouraging Questions, Encouraging Feedback, Encouraging Reflection, and a Test Your Knowledge section.

Professional Certifications and Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Project Management Institute (PMI®)

Professional Development Units (PDUs): 0.5

Certification Program Categories:
Ways of WorkingPower SkillsBusiness Acumen

KnowledgeCity has been reviewed and approved by the PMI® Authorized Training Partner Program. Users can maintain your PMI credentials by earning PDUs from KnowledgeCity qualified courses in Project Management, Business Management, Leadership and many others.

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM®)

Professional Development Credits (PDCs): 0.5

Certification Program Categories:
Leadership & NavigationBusiness AcumenConsultationGlobal MindsetEthical PracticeRelationship ManagementAnalytical AptitudeCommunicationDiversity, Equity & Inclusion

KnowledgeCity is approved by SHRM as a Recertification General Provider to offer SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP professional development credits (PDCs). By taking the courses approved by SHRM, KnowledgeCity can award SHRM Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for HR knowledge and competency programs related to the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge™ (the SHRM BASK™).