Rhonda Bowen
Communication Guide, founder of bells Communication across Cultures and Chief Steward of Commpolium at bells Communication across Cultures
Welcome to my LinkedIn profile! I'm Rhonda Bowen, a global strategic communication guide with extensive experience in helping BEST professionals, those in business, engineering, science,...
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- Cross-Cultural Communication Strategies: Enhancing interactions between diverse cultures
- Business Communication Skills: Techniques for effective workplace communication
- Leadership Development in Multicultural Teams: Fostering collaboration in global environments
- Negotiation Tactics Across Cultures: Skills for successful international negotiations
- Creative Problem Solving in Teams: Leveraging diverse perspectives for innovative solutions.
Meet the mentor
TALK SHOW VIDEOS
Tricky Workplace Situation Handled
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- Lack of understanding by both parties, confusion when terminology isn't used the same way by both parties, longer time to accomplish goals due to repetition and asking additional questions.
- I have worked directly with people from more than 70 countries, and I was trained to teach English as a foreign language. I am a fluent speaker of German, so I understand what it was like learning a foreign language myself and what it takes to become good in another language.
- A possibility to work remotely, more flexible working times during the day, including time to work while her child is sleeping, have Mara work together with other colleagues to share responsibilities if she has demands at home that take up more of her time
- Having a space for people to collaborate in one place is an advantage for those who like working as a team and supporting others. Micromanaging employees' progress is always potentially critical, but especially so in the case of creative people such as designers. They are often very proud of what they can develop on their own or with others, but may not see the need to have their work reviewed or critiqued by management.
- Flexibility is more than working wherever/ whenever. It’s also rethinking what work is done, how it’s done and by whom.
- Having options to experiment in unorthodox ways, using new resources and technology to try out new variations, speaking with people outside the organization who have done something similar, taking best practices from unrelated projects to ascertain any possible learnings or new ideas to implement
- I would first of all work on the flexibility aspect, asking the person what their preferred ways of doing things are and then exploring other options with them. Variations of brainstorming techniques, such as brainpooling, often bring out great results, especially among groups where many people are introverts. Dispelling the fear of failure and imposter syndrome help a person's mindset to have the courage to try out new things and move forward, even when the results were not ideal.
- In healthcare, empathy is good bedside manner; it is also known as “clinical empathy.” Someone who cares for others needs to show that they truly have the patience's best interests in mind. Empathy is also important when interacting with colleagues. Find ways to support others if they are facing a professional or personal challenge. Putting yourself in the place of others to understand what they think and feel about a siutation, and asking questions if you're not sure, makes everyone feel more comfortable, especially in challenging situations.
- As I was in the patient's situation once in my life, I can identify with this person's feelings and anxiety. The professional can ask for the specific aspects that the patient needs to have taken care of, then see if the patient has any resources to do this on their own. If not, the professional can make recommendations on ways to approach others who can provide this kind of support.
- I don't work with patients, but with clients. Ways to show empathy include letting the other person speak first and not interrupt them, ask questions about anything that is not clear, if working in person, use physical contact, to the extent that it is appropriate and comfortable for the other person, to show the connection between both parties and not be frustrated if the other person doesn't act in a way that is acceptable, due to stress or other factors.
- I would have taken more time to listen. I would have restrained myself from judging the other person's reaction and behavior. I would have asked more questions to get additional input before I made any statement myself.
- I have worked with people from more than 70 countries, so what I bring best is the ability to look at cultural differences and possible communication difficulties. I would help the other person with question techniques, summarizing what has been said, and being flexible when the situation does not develop in the way I had anticipated.
