Chapter 1: Communicating in the Digital-Age Workplace

Question 1

List 4 reasons as to why writing skills matter

Answer 1

1. messages reach huge audiences
2. employees seek broader hand of skills
3. technical fields require strong communication skills
4. businesses use media

Question 2

someone that communicates, solves problems, works well with others, and makes ethical decisions has

Answer 2

soft skills

Question 3

the rapidly changing communication technologies impacts

Answer 3

the way workers interact

Question 4

5 ways of meeting the challenges of the information-age workplace

Answer 4

1. “anytime, anywhere” offices
2. self-directed work groups and virtual teams
3. flattened management hierarchies
4. heightened global competition
5. emphasis on ethics

Question 5

7 barriers to listening

Answer 5

physical barriers, psychological barriers, language problems, nonverbal distractions, thought speed, faking attention, and grandstanding

Question 6

give 3 examples on how to build listening skills

Answer 6

can vary from:
stop talking
control surroundings
keep open mind
listen for main points
capitalize on lag time
listen between the lines
judge ideas
take selective notes
provide feedback

Question 7

what 3 things send silent messages

Answer 7

time, space, and territory

Question 8

4 space zones for social interaction

Answer 8

intimate
personal
social
public

Question 9

send positive messages

Answer 9

business documents

Question 10

sends professional message

Answer 10

personal appearance

Question 11

eye contact, good posture, nice appearance, and reducing physical barriers are examples of

Answer 11

building nonverbal skills

Question 12

improving decoding skills, looking for more info, associating with people from different cultures, and observing yourself on video are examples of

Answer 12

building nonverbal skills

Question 13

prefer direct verbal interaction, value individualism, and say “no” directly

Answer 13

low-context

Question 14

prefer indirect verbal interaction, value group membership, and avoid saying “no”

Answer 14

high-context

Question 15

personal achievement is based on initiative, value independence, and freedom from control

Answer 15

low-context cultures

Question 16

resist independence, value groups, and look for census

Answer 16

collectivism in high-context cultures

Question 17

western cultures perceive time as a

Answer 17

previous commodity (productivity, efficiency, and money)

Question 18

eastern cultures perceive time as

Answer 18

holistically (more relaxed)

Question 19

expect formal hierarchies

Answer 19

high power distance countries

Question 20

tend to be more democratic and informal

Answer 20

low power distance countries

Question 21

low-context cultures communication style has emphasis on

Answer 21

words

Question 22

high-context cultures communication style has emphasis on

Answer 22

surrounding context

Question 23

can bridge cultural divides and has potential to erase cultural differences

Answer 23

social networking

Question 24

natural attitude found in all cultures

Answer 24

ethnocentrism

Question 25

oversimplified perceptions

Answer 25

stereotypes

Question 26

open-minded and receptive

Answer 26

tolerance

Question 27

6 examples of how to communicate with intercultural audiences

Answer 27

• use simple English
• speak slowly and clearly
• encourage feedback
• observe eye messages
• accept blame
• follow up in writing