50 Activities for Achieving Cultural Competence

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Germany, Britain, and the U.S.A.:

Values and Behavior Patterns

EricLynn,LCTConsultants

Nürnberg,Germany

Purpose

This activity examines the behavior and “attitude drivers” in business in several cultural groups

and why they exist. It allows the participants to contrast their own values and behavior patterns

with those of their counterparts.

At the end of the session, participants will

• be aware of how their values affect their attitude and behavior;

• understand key differences between their own and their counterparts’ values and behavior

patterns;

• better understand their counterparts’ behavior; and

• learn to adjust their behavior to get their message across to their counterparts constructively.

Targetaudience

The activity can be run with single-culture groups from one of these three countries, or with

mixed groups. It can also be adapted for groups that are composed of a combination of any

two of these three cultures.

Time

Part A: Values—50 to 60 minutes

Part B: Behavior Patterns—35 to 40 minutes

Materials

• A flipchart and board markers or pin boards for each group (Pinboards, where available,

are more convenient to work with than flipcharts.)

• Masking tape and pins, if using pin boards

• One set of pre-prepared cards for each group (see Card Sets 1 – 4)

• One copy of the Trainer Key

50ActivitiesforAchievingCulturalCompetency

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Procedure

PartA.Values

1. Prepare the pinboards or flipcharts with a large circle divided into pie-shaped segments;

label the segments “Germany,” “Britain,” and “USA.”

Britain

USA

Germany

2. Introduce the concepts of values and behavior patterns, and clarify how the participants

understand the terms. Use the diagram below to explain how values give rise to cultural

behavior patterns and determine customs, expectations, and needs. (5 minutes)

Customs

Expectations

Needs

Behavior

Values

3. Values: Divide participants into equal groups of up to six people. Give each group a set of

cards showing the core values relevant to business contact in Germany, Britain, and the

USA. Assign participants to prepared flipcharts or pin boards. Tell them to place the cards

on the appropriate place on the circle. Tell them that the placement should represent what

they feel is the standard in the culture and not their own personal set of values if they are

from that culture. (15 to 20 minutes)

4. Invite the participants to look at one another’s boards to see how similar or different their

ideas are from those of their colleagues.

5. Using one board as an example and the Trainer Key as a guide, review the results with the

whole group. Begin with some of the cards that fit clearly, and explain why these values

are prominent in business life.