SMART Volunteering_Learner Pack- Business Organisations

19 Name of the activity : Values at work Module : 3 Detailed description of the activity Work-related values and attitudes This activity invites learners to reflect on some of their own cultural values and to explore the potential impact of cultural differences as they work in a new country or culture. Procedure 1. Each learner gets a copy of the Values at Work checklist (see below) and has a few minutes for the learner to complete the handout. 3. The learner will have probably identified important cultural differences between his or her own approach and that of another culture or country of interest. Discuss some of the following questions with the learner: How might these differences become apparent in the working environment? How might people from a different country or culture perceive your approach at work? What challenge do these differences present? In what ways might you adapt your behaviour to manage and overcome these cultural differences? The Values at Work Checklist Research suggests that the way in which each of us thinks and acts at work can be influenced by the attitudes and values in the cultures to which we belong. When we come into contact with people from different cultural backgrounds we can sometimes encounter workplace behaviour that does not match our assumptions and expectations. We can sometimes even misinterpret other people's workplace behaviour and make incorrect assumptions based on our own cultural background. This can result in confusion, misunderstandings and even conflict. The checklist been designed to help you identify some of the ways in which your cultural background has had an impact on your workplace behaviour.