Week 7: Communication and diversity

Introduction

This week you will explore another important aspect of communication in the workplace – communication and diversity.

In modern working environments you are highly likely to experience diversity, either within the workforce, or among clients or customers. Diversity is a broad term that covers different groups in society and can relate to gender, age, disability, ethnicity, religious beliefs and sexual orientation, among others. While it will be impossible to cover all aspects of diversity in detail this week, you’ll look at the broad principles, which can be summarised as treating everyone equally and with respect.

As you found out in Week 2, you will often need to adapt your communication style depending on who you are communicating with. This week, you will have the opportunity to understand and explore this further as well as reflect on some of your own experiences.

Now watch this short video to hear Lynne explain what you’ll be looking at this week.

Download this video clip.Video player: Video 1

Show transcript|Hide transcript

Transcript: Video 1

LYNNE JONHSON

This week focuses on communication and diversity. In modern working environments, it's likely that you'll experience diversity in many forms, from gender and disability, to personality type and differing life experience. So you'll explore some of the communication challenges that diversity can bring to the workplace, with a particular focus on culture, disability, and generational differences in communication style. You'll reflect on some of your own experiences and gain insight into the practises and experiences of others. You'll finish this week with a stronger appreciation of the need to adapt your communication style for different audiences, and the knowledge that the reward for doing this is a more harmonious workplace, and more satisfying and productive working relationships.

End transcript: Video 1

Download

Video 1

By the end of this week, you will be able to:

• demonstrate an understanding of the recent history of diversity in the workplace
• understand some of the cultural and generational challenges that can be experienced in the workplace
• consider the perspective of disabled colleagues or clients.