Communication Highwire: Leveraging the Power of Diverse Communication Styles

by Dianne Hofner Saphiere, Barbara Kappler Mikk, Basma Ibrahim Devries

Overview

Step right up to the exciting three-ring circus of Communication Styles ...

No matter where we live of what we do, we deal with people using a wide variety of communication styles every day. At work, in the marketplace and at home, diversity in communication styles presents rich opportunities, yet too often people misunderstand each other. Communication Highwire is an important breakthrough for managers, team leaders, community leaders, educators, trainers and facilitators as they help individuals and teams overcome frustration, prevent mistakes and save time and money.

World-class intercultural trainers and educators share their strategies and techniques-and, most importantly, their tools-to leverage diversity in the modern world. Twenty-six powerful activities are ready to go with little preparation. Developed for the first time in this book, the 5-Factor model (Context, Goals, Values, Self-Concept, Communication Style Repertoire) is presented in an easy-to-use Star Chart approach. A 4-Step process puts it all together: combining Factors and Descriptors to enhance communication. Dozens of examples-stories from international business to politics to community development to family life-make the concepts real and applicable.

Communicating across a variety of styles requires the skills of a tightrope walker, but the rewards to the performers are immense.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781931930154
Publisher:	Mobius
Publication date:	05/20/2005
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	228
Product dimensions:	7.12(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

Dianne Hofner Saphiere (M.S.) is founder and Principal of Nipporica Associates LLC, an intercultural consulting and training firm, and creator of the CulturalDetective.com series.

Barbara Kappler Mikk (Ph.D.) is Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services at the University of Minnesota, where she is responsible for intercultural training and programs.

Basma Ibrahim DeVries (Ph.D.) is Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and conducts intercultural training workshops for educational and community groups.

Editorial Reviews

An ultimate approach for discussing global diversity, using communication styles as the numerator for human capital.—Curtis Mathews Jr., CIGNA

To move to the next rung on the ladder in the arena of communication, you need to read and experience Communication Highwire.—Maggie Fischer, Texas Instruments Inc.

I am so glad to finally find a book that goes beyond the well-meaning, often used phrase of valuing diversity, and offers simple explanations and practical ideas on improving communication to leverage diversity - a much more valuable concept in effectively working together.

Grounded in theory, and richly elaborated through experience, this book provides a much-needed overview for business professionals, educators, trainers and anyone else who is currently curious!—Janet Bennett, Intercultural Communication Institute

From the Publisher