From the beginning there must be an acknowledgement, on diverse teams, of different workers communications styles. Self-awareness and awareness of others is crucial rather than willed ignorance and the ignoring of such differences. For example, when a woman knows that her tendency to say 'I'm sorry' is often misinterpreted by her male colleagues, she is less likely to use this method of communication in a reflexive manner. Likewise, a colleague from a highly confrontational culture or region of the country does not have to adopt a new persona, but can operate with the awareness that his or her abrasive style is not universal to the work team and he or she might have to be quiet for a moment after speaking, before a less confrontational colleague fills the silence with an opinion, a critique or an idea.

Self-awareness exercises regarding communication style differences and assumptions before the actual project is...
[ View Full Essay]