Improving our communicative interactions:

a global approach

Lynn BerryUniversity of Canberra

Able to communicate interculturally whether locally or globally (most Australian Universities)

Someone “to take responsibility for the creation & enrichment of a global order that allows people across cultures… to live in peace, take care of the planet,… improve conditions for all…” (Reimer, 2011)

vs

What is a global citizen?

The playersThe issues

The challengesSolutions

1. University management2. Academics3. Employers4. Students

The players

The issues

1. Can communication skills be separated from character traits and emotion?

The issues

2. Are we equipping students with communication skills that will enable them to deal with future global challenges?

The issues (2)

The issues

Need broader understanding• Communication can’t be developed in

isolation• Future challenges• Diversity (inter-cultural communication)

Gap between what employers want and satisfaction with graduates. Can HE do better?

The

challenges

Global challenges:

• Diminishing resources & ability to produce food

• Population growth & migration• Ageing population• Response to disasters, infections• Better technologies

The

challenges

Solutions: 5 ways to improve communication

1. Acknowledge influence on communication: expectations, attitudes, assumptions, emotions, socio-cultural lenses

2. Recognise the impact of words – positive/negative • best practice feedback research• positive psychology• bullying (Sutton, 2007)

Solutions

3. Develop awareness of self and consciousness of actions and behaviours (eg self reflection)

Solutions

4. Our lives are better when there is:• positive emotion • engagement • meaning • positive relationships and • accomplishment (Seligman, 2011)These elements of positive psychology lead to better social skills.

Solutions

5. Aim to be cooperative in interactions:• Do you know if others understood you?• Do you need to modify the way you speak?• How can you improve?

Solutions

Conclusion

Collaborative approach to communication:• Acknowledges diversity• Is appropriate at local and global levels• Assumes dialogue is cooperative• Uses positive language

Expect everyone will need to make adjustments

The players The issues

The challenges

Solutions