Culturally Synergistic Problem Solving

1. Culturally Synergistic Problem Solving Ha Hyun Kwon Bus 91L-Section 5

2. Cultural Synergy • A new way of thinking • Cultural diversity is a key resource in all global learning organizations • Based on the assumption that we are all different • No culture’s way is inherently superior

3. Step 1: Describing the Situation • What is the situation from your cultural perspective? • From others’ cultural perspectives?

4. Step 2: Interpreting the Cultures • Which cultural assumptions explain your perspective and behavior? • Which explain the other cultures’ perspectives and behavior? Determine underlying cultural assumptions

5. Assess cultural Overlaps Identify the cultural similarities and differences among the various cultures involved

6. Step 3: Increasing Cultural Creativity Create new alternatives by leveraging the various cultures involved Alternatives

7. Step 4: Select an alternative • Check to see whether the potential solution fits the assumptions of all cultures involved. • Is it NEW?

8. Implement the culturally synergistic solution • Observe each culture’s reaction • Refine the solution based on multicultural feedback

9. Summary Slide Culturally Synergistic Problem Solving Cultural Synergy • Step 1: Describing the Situation • Step 2: Interpreting the Cultures • Asses cultural Overlaps • Step 3: Increasing Cultural Creativity • Step 4: Select an alternative • Implement the culturally synergistic solution