Workplace Relations

Tokyo Recontracting Seminar 2006

Today’s Outline

Sharing loves & hates. Cultural Differences, different perspectives, communication.DiscussionAvenues of support. Tips/ Goal-setting.

Session Rules

RespectfulConstructivePositive

Expectations Expectations vs. vs.

Reality!Reality!

Love & Hate

Something you love about your workplace environment/ person/ something nice someone did.A workplace issue.

The Problem Is…

In the Workplace.“The school itself sees me as a nuisance due to my ‘foreign ways’Feel pressure to conform to “stupid rules”. Feel pressure to be fun, genki, crazy, gaijin. Isolation, loneliness. ALTs under informed about workplace events & gossip.Teaching-Related.“Each week she makes it clear that her life would be a lot easierwithout me.”Expectations differ about who should be responsible for what.Beliefs about best-practice differ. JTEs-translators, non-participators, tape-recorder reducers, textbook Nazis, exam obsessives, workaholics

www.bigdaikon.com

Behavior in ContextBehavior in Context

FAMILYSCHOOL

CULTURE

SOCIETY

GLOBAL/ INTERNATIONAL

FRIENDS

IMMEDIATE ENVIRONMENT

CultureCulture

Culture-at-work© 1997-2002 Jennifer E. Beer http://www.culture-at-work.com/index.html

Geert-Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions•Power Distance Index (PDI) focuses on the degree of equality, or inequality, between people in the country's society.

•Individualism (IDV) focuses on the degree the society reinforces individual or collective achievement and interpersonal relationships.

•Masculinity (MAS) focuses on the degree the society reinforces, or does not reinforce, the traditional masculine work role model of male achievement, control, and power.

•Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI) focuses on the level of tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity within the society - i.e. unstructured situations.

•Long-Term Orientation (LTO) focuses on the degree the society embraces, or does not embrace, long-term devotion to traditional, forward thinking values.

ITIM international (Geert Hofstede) http://www.geert-hofstede.comCulture-at-work© 1997-2002 Jennifer E. Beer http://www.culture-at-work.com/index.htmlUnderstanding Japanese Office Culture / Understanding JET Dr. Tsuyoshi Akiyama http://www.pref.miyagi.jp/kokusai/e/jet/akiyamasensei.html

Power-Distance

40 3935

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Authority/ HierarchyPolite fiction “I am humble, you are honored”(vs. “we are all equals and friends”)

Language Action

Individualism (Collectivism)

InterdependenceGrading of Intimacy”Uchi/ SotoMaintaining harmony is more important than being innovative (?). Honne/ Tatemae

9180

8979

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Masculinity

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Men’s rolesWomen’s roles-tea lady, stopping work when get married. Appropriate language, behavior & dress

Uncertainty Avoidance

46 4835

49 51

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Rules for everything. AmbiguityBreaking rules quietlyTime-punctuality

Long-Term Orientation

2923 25

30 31

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EthnocentrismFollowing form

Not all Jelly Beans are the Same

Culture-at-work© 1997-2002 Jennifer E. Beer http://www.culture-at-work.com/index.html

Different PerspectivesDifferent Perspectives

JTEs Perspective“How positive and effective is your relationship with your ALT?”

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Shizuoka EFL Pre-meeting, 15 May 2006, N= 144 valid (from 162)

Hardworking, Honest, Sincere, Friendly & Patient, Cheerful.Reliable. Kind & help me out a lot. Seems nice & energetic. Clever. Honest. Motivated. Attractive. Cooperative.Responsible. Polite, Humility. Enthusiastic. Diplomatic. Energetic, Always happy. Positive. Supportive. Communicative. Serious. Smiley.TEACHING-RELATEDPOSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH STUDENTSJAPAN-CULTURAL & LINGUISTIC KNOWLEDGECULTURAL EXCHANGEENGLISH HELPSPEECH PATTERNSCOMMUNICATIVE

Likes

Dislikes

TEACHING-RELATEDATTITUDE TOWARDS STUDENTS

PERSONALITY-”TOO CALM”LACK OF PUNCTUALITYHOLIDAYSCOMPUTER USAGE

NO EFFORT TO UNDERSTAND JAPAN/ JAPANESE CULTURE.INAPPROPRIATE JAPANESESPEECH PATTERNS-TOO FAST LACK OF COMMUNICATION

Advice

TEACHING RELATIONSHIP WITH STUDENTSUNDERSTANDING THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT/ JTEs/ STUDENTSSCHOOL INVOLVEMENT (parties, cleaning..)PROFESSIONALISM (dress, work ethic) TIME, PUNCTUALITYJAPANESE CULTURE & LANGUAGE COMMUNICATION-initiate conversation with all staff

CommunicationCommunication

Culture

Social System

Culture

Social System

Communication skills

Knowledge

Attitude

Communication skills

Knowledge

Attitude

SOURCE

RECIEVER

MESSAGE (PURPOSE, CONTENT, FORM,)

Perception

CONTEXT

(Based on Shannon-Weaver, Gerbner and Berlo’s Models of Communication)

Cultural Barriers to Communication

Misinterpretation of meaning. "cognitive constraints." "behavior constraints.""emotional constraints."

Conflict Research Consortium University of Colorado USAhttp://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/index.html

Communication StrategiesGain knowledge-learn from generalizations but avoid stereotyping.PracticeDon’t assume there is only one way to communicate (yours)(direct/ indirect, body language, written/ verbal)When voicing opinions, be constructive & non-confrontational rather than blaming. Active listening-put yourself in other persons shoes, clarify meaning. (open-ended questions)Respect others choices about whether to engage with you/ not. Stop & think before you react-reserve judgment. Be aware of possible power imbalances/ group dynamics. Remember cultural norms may not apply to particular individuals.Regular meetingsNomunicationPatience

Conflict Research Consortium University of Colorado USAhttp://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/index.html

Approaches To Conflict

PROBLEM SOLVE // COLLABORATE

SERVE // ACCOMMODATE

FAIRNESS, RULES, BE DONE WITH IT //

COMPROMISE

FORCE // COMPETE

CHOOSE NOT TO ENGAGE //

AVOID

Others

Needs

Own Needs

Change Make do

Culture-at-work© 1997-2002 Jennifer E. Beer http://www.culture-at-work.com

Grant me the serenity to accept Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot changethe things I cannot change……

courage to change the things I courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the can, and wisdom to know the

difference.difference.

Group Discussion

Sharing your situation.Offering different perspectives. Group feedback/ Q & A.

Japan: a Country On Planet Earthby Paul Abramson

“To some degree the Japanese staff isn't sure what to do with someone who's different from everyone else, and who probably doesn't plan to become like everyone else, the same and a permanent employee. At first you'll be treated as an honored guest, later you'll be expected to become part of the group. Actbusy even when you're not and be interested in meetings even when you're not, be flexible and read between the lines when receiving a hint. You've been accepted into a group, recognize that this privilege brings with it unspoken obligations and responsibilities. Try to cultivate one or two peers as "go betweens" for (not if, but) when petty office politics flare up around you. Appeal indirectly and ask for advice, never confrontdirectly if your co-workers won't be able to understand and correctly interpret such mature behavior. Go out drinking with them and become part of the group, act trusting and loyal to thebest of your abilities.”

http://www.paulzilla.org/japanese/j_cope3.htm

Support Options

Friends/ family.

Your P.A

Peer Support Group (8pm-7am) 0120-437-725

Tokyo Lifeline (9am-11pm) 03-5774-0992

CLAIR JET Line (M-F, 9am-5.45pm)03-3591-5489

AMDA (M-F, 0900-1700hrs) 03-5285-8088

Be the change Be the change you want to see in the world.you want to see in the world.

How can you improve your workplace relationships?

Tips! Choose one & do it. Be specific-who, what, when, where.

Some Ideas…Greetings (ohayo gozaimasu, osaki ni shitsurei shimasu)Be on timeDress professionally.Look like you’re working hard.Celebrate birthdaysBring omiyage back from holidayAsk questions about life outside work. ListenAsk questions about Japanese culture/ language-get someone to teach you something. Give compliments.Develop good relationships with students.Join a club.Go to enkais.Work out the power-players & get them on side.Start an English Conversation club.Bring interesting objects/ photos & put them on your desk to act as conversation catalysts.

Internet Resources

ITIM international (Geert Hofstede)http://www.geert-hofstede.comCulture-at-work© 1997-2002 Jennifer E. Beerhttp://www.culture-at-work.com/index.htmlUnderstanding Japanese Office Culture / Understanding JETDr. Tsuyoshi Akiyamahttp://www.pref.miyagi.jp/kokusai/e/jet/akiyamasensei.htmlConflict Research Consortium University of Colorado USAhttp://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/index.htmlJET trouble-shooter. Problem Resolution Toolhttp://www.okinawajet.com/resources/downloads/

ALL THE BEST FOR YOUR 2ALL THE BEST FOR YOUR 2ndnd YEAR! YEAR!