Deck 11: Diversity and Communication

Question 1

How are diversity and communication related?

A) Diversity of experience must be maximized for effective communication
B) Communication about diversity should be minimized
C) Communication is easier when the target is very diverse
D) Effective communication requires understanding how individual diversity is associated with the communication process

Answer 1

D
Explanation:D) Understanding how you communicate differently than others increases the efficacy of communication. Communication differences are found in many workplace groups, between genders, and between generations just to name a few. Understanding others' perspectives can improve your communication.

Question 2

When might understanding generational differences in the workplace be useful?

A) Understanding others' perspectives
B) Deciding how and when to provide motivation and feedback
C) Forming teams or workgroups
D) All of the above

Answer 2

D
Explanation:D) Understanding generational differences can be particularly helpful in these and other situations. For example, if you need a team to work on a highly technical project, it would be nice to combine the teamwork and tech savvy from Millennials, the desire for engaging work and mentors of Gen Xers, and the priorities of work dedication and fairness from Baby Boomers who can serve as mentors for the Gen Xers.

Question 3

All of the following are communication style preferences of men except ________.

A) Make statements instead of ask questions
B) Use "I" instead of "we"
C) Offer criticism instead of compliments
D) Avoid talking about personal achievements instead of focus on achievements

Answer 3

D
Explanation:D) The communication style used by men includes making statements, using "I", and offering criticism but they focus on their personal achievements. Avoiding talking about one's personal achievements is more characteristic of women's communication style.

Question 4

Learning style, personality, and cognitive processes are examples of which type of diversity?

A) Demographics
B) Organization-based
C) Traits and characteristics
D) Beliefs and values

Question 5

Evidence shows that diverse work groups make better decisions when group members hold three feelings or beliefs. Which of the following is not one of these beliefs?

A) Group members feel they are valued and respected
B) Group members feel they have a good role diversity
C) Group members share a viewpoint that their work is significant
D) Group members hold strong interpersonal relationships

Question 6

What communication problem does conversational learning help resolve?

A) Different communication styles
B) Parochialism
C) Information illiteracy
D) Lack of co-orientation

Question 7

What is the first step in the process of developing a targeted message?

A) Establish what the purpose of your message will be
B) Determine who you will deliver your message to
C) Determine how you will deliver your message (e.g. asynchronous, memo, live speech, interactive presentation, hands on demonstration, etc.)
D) Choose questions to answer in your message

Question 8

Which of the following outcomes should organizations not expect after implementing a plan to value their employees' backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences?

A) Organizations will be better able to respond to dynamic change because the organization increases its ability to adapt
B) Organizations can consider a wider range of perspectives when making decisions
C) The shareholders' value will improve
D) Organizations can promote a culture of fairness

Question 9

Differences in communication can be present in all of the following situations except ________.

A) Selection interview
B) Work within a cohesive group
C) Performance appraisal
D) All of the above

Question 10

Why is effective communication an essential process for organizations?

A) It is central to many organizational functions
B) Necessary to communicate with stakeholders
C) Necessary to communicate vision and direction
D) Critical for industry leader to stay on top

Question 11

What factor creates differences between generations?

A) Work experiences
B) Type of education
C) Technological dependence
D) Environmental forces

Question 12

Which of the following best describes big data?

A) Proliferation of data in daily life
B) A database of quantitative information
C) Complex problem solving in real world settings
D) Expanding number of data sources readily available

Question 13

Communication style has been defined as a culturally learned set of signals to communicate meaning to other people. Which of the following regarding communication style is true?

A) Communication style is static for each culture
B) Management and front line employees have different communication styles because they are from different cultures
C) Communication style is dynamic in each culture
D) The words are different between cultures, but the signals are the same

Question 14

Which generation prefers to receive ample praise and feedback, are good collaborators, and focus on achieving their individual goals?

A) Generation X
B) Millennials
C) Baby Boomers
D) Generation Z

Question 15

Organizations value the diversity of individuals in which key areas?

A) Experience, background, perspective
B) Training, critical thinking, background
C) Contribution, perspective, work ethic
D) Integrity, skills, perspective

Question 16

The preferred method of communication differs between generations. Which generation favors face-to-face communication?

A) Generation Y
B) Generation X
C) Millennials
D) All of the above

Question 17

Which of the following characteristics is an example of role diversity?

A) Personality
B) Motivation
C) Organizational position
D) Cognitive processing style

Question 18

Which of the following is not a model of communication one can use in organizations?

A) Co-orienting
B) Sender-receiver
C) Conversational learning
D) Parochialism

Question 19

What is one way that an organization's diversity efforts can promote fairness?

A) Employees in traditionally underrepresented groups gain access to positions of power
B) Employees in diverse groups are able to communicate better
C) Employees in traditionally underrepresented groups receive compensation packages similar to other employees
D) Employees' job expectations are equalized across different groups

Question 20

Which issue in communication is likely to appear between Millennial employees and those in the Gen X and Baby Boomer generations?

A) Forms of communication
B) Formality of communication
C) Frequency of communication
D) Content of communication

Question 21

Why is the component of storytelling particularly useful when communicating a core message to large, diverse audiences? Explain your answer.

Question 22

Why might a group of employees interpret the same message from management differently?

A) They are from different generations
B) They range in age
C) They are different genders
D) All of the above

Question 23

Which of the following can be used to support and verify a message?

A) Data
B) Storytelling
C) Climax
D) Targeting

Question 24

Targeted messages are particularly important when trying to communicate to a ________.

A) Coworker from a different generation
B) Struggling subordinate
C) Large and diverse group
D) Teammate with poor information literacy

Question 25

Are the benefits from workplace diversity reserved for medium to large businesses or can small organizations also benefit? Provide at least three reasons to support your choice.