It was hard to choose just one concept that I liked best from the dozens that we have read about this semester. One that I particularly liked was in chapter eight and it was focused on developing organizational cultures. Most people have experienced some kind of cultural change in their lives. Whether it was a move to a different place or a change in jobs, we all can say we've experienced things like this before. In chapter eight the author describes how we fit into organizational cultures and how we react when we are forced to fit into a different culture.
As a culture we share a lot of things with the strangers around us. We hold similar identities even if we are very different. "If you have ever lived or traveled abroad for an extended period of time, you may have experienced culture shock, a sense of disorientation that occurs when the rules you're used to playing by no longer work" (230). Before reading about culture shock I had heard the term used in various different ways. I think people use it a lot to describe something that does not actually fall into the category of culture shock. It was very interesting to read about the real definition. Culture shock is actually a very real thing that can sometimes manifest in physical illness.
Also in this section the author discusses the experience of surprise, "an emotional reaction to differences between life in the organizations life outside it" (230). For example when I changed jobs I was honestly surprised by the differences that I had to adjust to. I had a emotional reaction that resembled stress and anxiety. It took me a few weeks to get familiar with to new job but over time the surprise aspect faded away.
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Hi Friend,
ReplyDeleteI had the same thoughts about this question, that everything in this book is really interesting. As a matter of fact, this class sparked me to stay another semester to gain a communication minor! and then afterwards, I want to get a communication masters! I really liked all the concept in this class.
I also wrote about organization communication and culture. I myself have seen other people experienced a culture shock when they have come to San Jose for college. At first, people who came from a small town was very shy and uncomfortable, but just like you, after a few weeks, they got familiar with their surroundings and became integrated into the mix of different cultures. The bay area is famously known for its diversity.
Good Post!
Signing out,
Events Dreamer