Communication is the transfer and understanding of meaning.

For communication to be successful, the

meaning must be imparted and understood.
Nonverbal communication refers to the exchange of information without relying on spoken words or
verbal language. Instead, it involves using facial expressions, hand gestures, eye contact, and other
nonverbal signs to convey messages. Primarily recognized forms of nonverbal communication include body
language and verbal intonation. Researchers suggest that a large portion of communication, around 80%,
occurs through these nonverbal means, compared to only 20% through spoken words (Raymond H. PhD,
2023). Moreover, Ray Dalio emphasizes the significance of the "two-minute rule," which suggests allowing
someone uninterrupted time to express their thoughts before interjecting with your own. This principle is
vital not only in verbal but also nonverbal communication. When entering a room for a crucial meeting or
interview, individuals form impressions within the initial two minutes, considering factors like appearance,
body language, and interaction style. Once formed, these initial impressions are often difficult to change.

To improve your nonverbal communication skills and cultivate confidence, it is crucial to begin by
understanding your own behaviors. Reflect on how your gestures and tone of voice go hand in hand with
your emotions, enhancing self-awareness and facilitating the adjustment of any undesired nonverbal signs.
Additionally, becoming aware of others' nonverbal signals can improve your comprehension of the world
around you. By pausing to consider your actions, you can train yourself to replace reactive behaviors with
intentional responses, fostering a more deliberate and effective communication style. In the world trend of
globalization, where diverse cultures intersect and interact, mastery of nonverbal communication proves
invaluable. Cultural nuances often being a commonplace gesture, which may vary significantly across
different countries. Proficiency in solving these delicate not only enhances intercultural understanding but
also minimizes the risk of unintentionally causing offense. Thus, expertise in nonverbal communication
proved it was a vital tool for fostering harmonious and respectful interactions across culture around the
world.
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Workplace diversity: “The ways in which people in an organization are different from and similar to one
another.” (Textbook, p. 156)
The underrepresentation of women in various professional specialties is a notable issue, often attributed to
barriers commonly referred to as the "glass ceiling." These barriers hinder the career progression of
women, restricting their access to decision-making positions and significant organizational responsibilities.
Latina, manager, former executive director, reflecting on her experiences, expressed her frustration at the
absence of individuals from similar backgrounds in senior leadership roles, highlighting the challenge of
finding a sense of belonging in such environments. However, recent research has revealed a more
fundamental challenge known as the "broken rung," occurring at the entry-level management stage,
illustrates the significant disparity in the representation of women compared to men: “This year, 73 women
of color were promoted to manager for every 100 men, down from 82 women of color last year” (McKinsey
& Company, 2023). Stereotypes and biases further exacerbate this situation, such as women frequently
encounter the "double-bind" dilemma, wherein they must achieve a balance between exhibiting
assertiveness and maintaining likeability. Work-life conflict and the pressure to choose between career
advancement and family responsibilities leading to numerous challenges in their professional journeys. In
Vietnamese culture, an idiom placing blame on women for spoiling their children: “it's the mother's fault that
her child's spoiled, and it's the grandmother's that her grandchild is”.

To enhance women's advancement in the workplace, companies must address several key areas. Firstly,
tracking outcomes and experiences to identify and fix barriers hindering women's progression is essential.
This involves measuring metrics such as hiring, promotions, and approaching to understand the
experiences of women with marginalized identities. Secondly, supporting and rewarding managers as
catalysts for organizational change is crucial, including clarifying priorities and providing necessary skills
training. Thirdly, addressing the "broken rung" for women, particularly women of color, through tracking
inputs and outcomes, objective performance evaluations is crucial for fostering gender diversity and
equality in leadership positions. In conclusion, while progress has been made towards gender equality in
the workplace, there are still significantly challenges that women face
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Success in the workplace depends on various factors, such as intelligence and meeting job expectations.
However, modern workplaces often present unexpected challenges like staff cuts, tight deadlines, and
organizational changes. In such situations, the ability to handle stress becomes crucial. Resilience, defined
as the capacity to overcome challenges and turn them into opportunities, emerges as a significant factor for
success.

Resilient individuals remain true to their beliefs and values, even in tough times. Resilience can be
developed through practice, which helps individuals find better ways to cope with stress and adversity.
However, maintaining a positive attitude, understanding and managing emotions effectively, and achieving
a healthy work-life balance are also essential for building resilience in the workplace.

Different people develop resilience in different ways, depending on their unique psychological makeup.
Organizations with resilient employees, especially resilient managers, tend to be more productive and
profitable. Therefore, resilience isn't just about toughness; it's about staying true to oneself, learning from
challenges, and nurturing one's well-being both inside and outside of work
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Leadership encompasses various styles, such as Democratic, Transformational, and Charismatic, each
rooted in distinct behaviors. However, “No leadership style is consistently effective. Situational factors must
be taken into consideration in the selection of an effective leadership style.” (Textbook, p. 544). Adaptive
leadership emerges as a necessity, characterized by the 4 A's: anticipation of future needs, articulation of
these needs to garner collective support, adaptation of responses through continuous learning, and
accountability demonstrated via transparent decision-making processes, much like chameleons changing
color to suit their environment. For instance, during the global Covid-19 pandemic, the Boston Consulting
Group employs a systematic scenario planning approach drawing from military strategies. By integrating
anticipation, intelligence, and response, businesses can navigate uncertainties effectively, making informed
decisions based on real-time monitoring. As Charles de Gaulle has stated, "You have to be fast on your feet
and adaptive or else a strategy is useless."

Leaders can undertake crucial actions to navigate challenging situations effectively. First and foremost, they
can foster a culture of shared responsibility by empowering employees and recognizing that leadership can
emerge from any individual within the organization. Due to the fact that, sometimes, the most effective
approach may involve stepping back and allowing others to take the lead. Additionally, effective leadership
involves active listening, fostering participation, and prioritizing the needs of others alongside one's own.
Encouraging collaboration and teamwork towards common objectives is key to successful leadership, as
ultimately, leaders depend on the contributions of their team members. Because after all, without people,
leaders are nothing. Moreover, while not explicitly mentioned, it's important to recognize that national
culture can significantly influence effective leadership styles. Different cultural contexts require different
approaches, as leadership strategies that are effective in one country may not necessarily translate to
success in another. For example, research on Asian leadership styles has highlighted preferences for
leaders who demonstrate competence in decision-making, effective communication skills, and
supportiveness towards employees.

As a student, I believe that mastering nonverbal communication is a vital skill for navigating university life.
Firstly, it fosters trust and clarity, as the saying goes, "The eyes are the windows to the soul." When you
demonstrate reliability and a proactive attitude, others are more willing to collaborate with you. This is
particularly advantageous in environments like ISB, where group activities are prevalent and significantly
impact overall scores. Moreover, showing appropriate gestures and active listening signals to the teacher
can enhance their engagement and motivation to go deeper into the lecture, offering practical insights
beyond textbooks. Additionally, it increases the likelihood of the teacher remembering your name, making it
easier to access academic support in the future. Lastly, effective presentations require not only verbal
communication but also confidence in gesture, which plays a crucial role in captivating the audience's
attention. (optional)