Week 5 Collaboration

CULTURAL IDENTITY

Acknowledging Differences – CROSSING THE LINE

We did an exercise where we stood in a line and Mark read out scenarios, if we felt it related to us we had to cross the line (if we wanted to – no pressure).

Scenarios included Are you unattractive, Want more money, religion, how many siblings, family class, wear glasses, feel like a hug, made friends at cdu in the last year, had a failed relationship since starting uni, had a regrettable sexual experience, questioned your sexuality, who you vote for etc .

Write about your feelings

Interesting exercise, finding out about other people, however don’t think it was giving away too much personal info.  I felt embarrassed – about being the only one thinking they were unattractive.

Write about how you think other people felt

I think everyone felt comfortable and were truthful.

Write about how the exercise helps you understand and accept differences. Give examples (from the exercise or your own life) for all 3 topics above

The exercise showed that we have different experiences and beliefs and these differences should be accepted

Professional discretion (KNOWING WHEN NOT TO SAY SOMETHING) and judgement (FORM AN OPINION) may relate to:

·        Assessing when to keep quiet.

o   eg: I’ve found out it is best not to take part in gossip in the work place. Generally if people gossip to me, I am not interested in spreading it. I’m usually too damn busy for that.

·        Being aware of and responding to different personality types.

o   eg: I am lucky to work in team of people with many differing personalities. We have a fair share of introvert and extroverts with differing backgrounds and experiences, however we all have different skill to effective contibute to our team of awesomeness.

·        Knowing when it is appropriate or inappropriate to share information.

o   eg: It is appropriate to share information if it is not detrimental to other people or the teams purpose.

·        knowing with whom information should be shared

o   eg: If there is a problem with a persons actions that is really affecting the teams purpose, perhaps you could talk to your manager in confidence, but only if you feel that a positive outcome will occur.

·        Have empathy - Once we have figured out how another person feels, we show empathy by acknowledging the emotion. We may say, for example,

o   - I can see you are really uncomfortable about this.
- I can understand why you would be upset.

·        Listen but Don’t take sides – if someone is having a bitch about someone, its best not to take part and bitch also. Things you might say are ‘Gosh I would never have thought that,’ or ‘that’s interesting,’ or ‘Oh what an awful situation.’

What is the difference between “discretion” and “judgement” in your own words?

Discretion is knowing when to disclose information and judgement is forming an opinion.

Why do you use these two things in a professional setting?
(explain by using examples)

See my previous examples as I related them to a professional setting before I saw this question!

I’m Blogged out.

Oh yeah here is a saying I found on the internet ‘Discretion is the better part of valour’

This idiom means that it is often better to think carefully and not act than to do something that may cause problems. (reference: http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/discretion+is+the+better+part+of+valour.html)

I think it somes up everything nicely. It means it is wise to be careful and avoid unnecessary risks. It is wise to be careful and avoid unnecessary risks. Look before you leap. Think before you stick your nose into someone elses business. Or as my mother used to say - if you haven't got anything nice to say - Don't say anything at all.