Jos é M. Garcia, Jr. MIC, WFO Amarillo, TX Southern Region Diversity Coordinator Cultural Diversity Appreciating the Value of Communication and Teamwork in the Workplace

The way to deal with diversity is not to deny it or ignore it, but to learn about differences so they don’t impair communication and teamwork!

Culture Is the sum total of ways of living; including values, beliefs, esthetic standards, linguistic expression, patterns of thinking, behavioral norms, and styles of communication which a group of people has developed.

NWS Cultures

What do you see?

How We Work Together

Growing Diversity in America During the Past 20 years: White population increased 10% African American population increased 30% Native American population increased 58 % Hispanic population increased 125%

59% of the entire world’s wealth would be in the hands of only 6 people and all 6 would be citizens of the United States. 80 would live in substandard housing. 70 would be unable to read. 50 would suffer from malnutrition. 1 would be near death, 1 would be near birth Only 1 would have a college education and only 1 would own a computer KAL 801

“Captain, The Weather Radar Has Helped Us A Lot”

South Korean Culture High Uncertainty Avoidance – Control everything to eliminate unexpected – change in norm not readily accepted! – Captain is King!

“The kinds of errors that cause plane crashes are invariably errors of teamwork and communication”. - Malcolm Gladwell – “Outliers”

Is Technology the Answer to Communication and Teamwork Issues in a Culturally Diverse workplace?

Newer technology doesn’t eliminate error and the necessity to communicate!

Improving Communication and Teamwork: Human Factors Majority of adverse events involve communication failure Unwarned events: somebody in the room knows there’s a problem but can’t find a way to speak up Complexity: technical environment has evolved beyond the limitations of individual human performance Roles (Sr. Forecaster, Forecaster, HMT, Intern, ETs, Management)

Communication is the Key! “High technical proficiency cannot guarantee safety” National Weather Service non- technical skills: Behavioral aspects of performance in forecast and warnings operations which underpin meteorological expertise cognitive (i.e. situation awareness) social skills (i.e. communication & teamwork)

“We begin to die the day we are silent about things that matter.” Martin Luther King Jr.

Critical Understanding Acknowledge and understand each other’s cultural diversity. What aspects of other’s culture have you integrated into your workplace???