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PMAL101: Cross-Cultural Communication

Unit 4: Working in Cross-cultural Settings

a) Apply the key terms or concepts from Chapter 8 to describe Mr. Griffith’s experience
from the above link.
Response:

Mr. Griffith hailed from a Caribbean-English background and had worked for the United Nations
Environment Programme's headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya for over seven years. However, he was
abruptly transferred to a Latin American nation. For United Nations Assembly operations, this transfer
to Mexico greatly impacted his personal and professional life. Away from his former English way of life,
he found himself immersed in the Latin American way of life, where the predominant language is
Spanish, which he knew nothing about. Mr. Griffith struggled to comprehend the local culture in which
his organization operates, such as the concept of time management and their laid-back attitude.
Administration red tape prevented him from advancing toward his objective of managing
environmental projects. In addition, unlike his coworkers, he did not adapt to the local culture. Instead,
he constantly compared the cultures.

b) What strategies should Mr. Griffith adopt to improve the effectiveness and his
experience of working with his international co-workers?

Response:

Mr. Griffith can adapt to the new culture in a number of ways. To be able to communicate with locals,
he must first learn the local language. He is able to comprehend the local culture and way of life as a
result. Next, he can begin exploring the surrounding areas to gain a better understanding of their
lifestyles and similarities and differences. Importantly, networking with international coworkers would
have a substantial impact. Then, there are a few factors that assist him in overcoming this obstacle and
enhancing his professional surroundings.

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