A 360° View of
Communicative
Competence at Work

Make communication work for you and your workplace

Explore how you and your colleagues can thrive and succeed in your diverse workplace with our 360° view of communicative competence at work.

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To Use

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A 360° View of Communicative Competence at Work

Discover a practical set of strategies, approaches and languages to leverage your workspace diversity to create and inclusive environment

Connect
with Others

Launch this Focus Area ↓

Work
with Others

Launch this Focus Area ↓

Work within
an Organization

Launch this Focus Area ↓

START BY SELECTING A FOCUS AREA

Connect with Others

Work with Others

Work within an Organization

A project of Touchstone Institute

Connect with
Others

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Let's talk about connecting with others.

Recognize that:

culture shapes thoughts, feelings and reactions
culture forms and affects ways of communicating
culture influences personal identity
cultural biases and assumptions affect communication
values and beliefs differ across cultures

Learn about the:

differences in accepted ways of communicating across cultures
effects of language usage on communication
effects of nonverbal communication on social and business relationships
different modes of communication for different situations
benefits of managing reactions and emotions in professional communication

EXPLORE THE COMPETENCIES

Use respectful and inclusive communication

Learn more →

Establish shared meanings with people

Learn more →

Foster social and professional relationships

Learn more →

Back to Framework Home

A project of Touchstone Institute

Work with
Others

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Before you explore the framework details, here are some things to consider...

Recognize that:

group or team communication practices may differ across cultures
communication practices affect collaboration and consensus building
tolerance of ambiguity affects working with others
nonverbal communication impacts workplace discussions
ways of thinking impact communication

Learn more about the:

different levels of formality that apply within particular contexts
impact of hierarchical orientations on workplace communication
impact of jargon and idiomatic language on the clarity and formality of communication
different expectations in high and low context ways of communicating
expectations of teamwork in own workplace

EXPLORE THE COMPETENCIES

Adapt communication to different people and situations

Learn more →

Participate in decision making and problem solving

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Use communication that contributes to teamwork

Learn more →

Back to Framework Home

A project of Touchstone Institute

Work within
an Organization

Scroll down

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Before you explore the framework details, here are some things to consider...

Recognize that:

notions of hierarchy may differ across cultures
culture may impact understanding of roles and responsibilities
cultural diversity plays a role in conflict resolution
culture influences critical thinking, problem solving and decision making
different ways of communicating may lead to misunderstandings

Learn more about the:

organization's ethics, values, standards and workplace culture
organization’s structure, hierarchy, and reporting relationships
expectations of own role and how it contributes to the organization's objectives
intersection of own role with others within the organizational hierarchy
organization’s expectations associated with the use of communication technologies

EXPLORE THE COMPETENCIES

Align communication with workplace role

Learn more →

Use and produce documents and resources

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Address conflicts and other challenges

Learn more →

Back to Framework Home

A project of Touchstone Institute

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Before you explore the framework details, here are some things to consider...

Recognize that:

culture shapes thoughts, feelings and reactions
culture forms and affects ways of communicating
culture influences personal identity
cultural biases and assumptions affect communication
values and beliefs differ across cultures

Learn more about the:

differences in accepted ways of communicating across cultures
effects of language usage on communication
effects of nonverbal communication on social and business relationships
different modes of communication for different situations
benefits of managing reactions and emotions in professional communication

FOCUS AREA

Connect with others

Save in
My Competencies

Objective

Establish shared meanings with people

Competency

Be able to communicate with a variety of people from different backgrounds to ensure that the messages conveyed are mutually understood

Learn How

Explore Strategies

Develop an understanding of others' cultures and ways of communicating
Consider how to apply questioning, clarification and rephrasing skills to address perceived and actual miscommunications
Recognize that others may not seek clarification when meaning is unclear to them
Be open to alternate interpretations of a situation or event
Develop an understanding about communication in culturally diverse settings

Discover Approaches

Determine the best ways to engage with individuals from different backgrounds
Express clear meanings and support ideas of others
Confirm with others to ensure they are following the message
Clarify and explain as necessary to ensure understanding
Ask for clarification when unsure about meaning or intent
Use nonverbal communication to support meaning, and respond to the nonverbal cues of others

Understand the Language

EXPLORE RELATED COMPETENCIES

Use respectful and inclusive communication

Learn more →

Back to Framework

Foster social and professional relationships

Learn more →

A project of Touchstone Institute

Make communication work for you and your workplace

A 360° View of Communicative Competence at Work

Connectwith Others

Workwith Others

Work withinan Organization

Connect with Others

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Let's talk about connecting with others.

Recognize that:

Learn about the:

EXPLORE THE COMPETENCIES

Work with Others

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Before you explore the framework details, here are some things to consider...

Recognize that:

Learn more about the:

EXPLORE THE COMPETENCIES

Work within an Organization

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Before you explore the framework details, here are some things to consider...

Recognize that:

Learn more about the:

EXPLORE THE COMPETENCIES

Before you explore the framework details, here are some things to consider...

Recognize that:

Learn more about the:

EXPLORE RELATED COMPETENCIES

Side Widget Area

Connect
with Others

Work
with Others

Work within
an Organization

Connect with
Others

Work with
Others

Work within
an Organization