Running head: STEP OUTSIDE YOUR WORLD ANALYSIS

Step Outside Your World Analysis

Student
University of Phoenix
Diversity Issues in Communication
COMM/315
instructor
date

STEP OUTSIDE YOUR WORLD ANALYSIS

2
Step Outside Your World Analysis
Describe the activity you chose and why.
I chose to go to a church of a different denomination. I have not been to church for a
while and I thought that perhaps a different denomination might be a better fit. I also would like
to see if it has just been the experience I have had with my religion, or if others were similar in
the way they treated people.
What type of place did you choose to experience and why?
I chose the Community Church of Nazarene in Greensburg, Indiana. This is a church that
is not too far from me and I know Jesus was a Nazarene-or at least have heard him referred to as
from Nazareth. I figured, knowing nothing about the church, that since it took its name from the
town of Jesus there would be some similarities to his beliefs.
What did you observe?
The church had a pastor; they were similar to many other churches in their program
schedule and sermons. Everyone offered a smile when eye contact was made. It seemed like a
small church and everyone knew everyone and I stood out from the rest as an outsider. Being
alone and not with a family, I caught a few sidelong glances of curiosity, or something else, I am
not sure. I felt at times out of place and not exactly made welcome by everyone. I had the feeling
that I would have to return and become a regular member before many would do more than say
hello and give me a smile and a handshake. I was greeted at the door and asked if I were new
here, I said yes and was given a few introductions. People at first assumed I was of their religion,
until I explained I was here to observe first and foremost.
What did you find surprising or unexpected?

STEP OUTSIDE YOUR WORLD ANALYSIS

3
I found the most surprising thing was that everyone was wanting me to join the church,
extolling how great the church was and this or that feature. Joining the church meant that after
observing for a while I would ask to be a member and if accepted, I would have to pledge money
and time for and to the church. If I went there for twenty years, I would never be a member or
allowed to be buried in the churchs graveyard if I was not an official member.
Did you feel comfortable or uncomfortable? Why?
I felt comfortable upon arriving, but during some of the interactive events I felt
uncomfortable. Like the singing of songs I did not know, the passing of the plate for tithing, and
the after church activities I was told I needed to go to. I also felt like I was just left all alone, If I
were to join this church, where was someone to ensure I had a decent time and explained thing as
I went?
Did this experience change your views about the people whom you observed? If so, how?
This experience made me think that perhaps all churches were self involved like the
others I have attended before, extolling the virtues of helping and reaching our fellow man,
reaching everyone and making them friends and helping them experience the religion. Yet none
of them actually did this, even when one walked right in their doors. Perhaps they were only
referring to recruiting, rather than helping their fellow man.
What did you learn from this experience?
People are self-involved and really do not want to go out of their comfort zone and help
others feel welcome-at least past the entering and exiting of the church.
How could your workplace benefit because you had this type of an experience?

STEP OUTSIDE YOUR WORLD ANALYSIS

4
We could learn that people like to feel welcome and as a part of a group, that when
someone starts a place-whether a church or a job, how they are treated throughout the experience
is as important as at the beginning and the ending.
Why do you feel that employers would seek and value employees with this diverse
experience?
When you know how an outsider feels and how a member feels, you will know how to
treat others that are different than yourself. You will know what they are feeling and can help
them feel more comfortable and help them fit in.
Identify at least two reasons why organizations benefit from having a diversity-conscious
culture.
First, with a diversity conscious culture, the employees realize that their company will
benefit from the experience of a vast resource of diversity; allowing the company to reach and
relate to a wider portion of the market. Second, with a diversity conscious culture, the employees
will be more aware of issues and avoid many miscommunication problems and tension in the
workplace that arise because of ignorance of other people and cultures.
Prior to this experience did you have a stereotype of the people you observed in this
activity?
I had no understanding or knowledge of this group prior to my experience in this activity.

STEP OUTSIDE YOUR WORLD ANALYSIS

5

Certificate of Originality
I certify that the attached paper is my original work. I am familiar with, and acknowledge
my responsibilities which are part of, the University of Phoenix Student Code Of Academic
Integrity. I affirm that any section of the paper which has been submitted previously is attributed
and cited as such, and that this paper has not been submitted by anyone else. I have identified the
sources of all information whether quoted verbatim or paraphrased, all images, and all quotations
with citations and reference listings. Along with citations and reference listings, I have used
quotation marks to identify quotations of fewer than 40 words and have used block indentation
for quotations of 40 or more words. Nothing in this assignment violates copyright, trademark, or
other intellectual property laws. I further agree that my name typed on the line below is intended
to have, and shall have the same validity as my handwritten signature.

Students signature (name typed here is equivalent to a signature):

Jerry L. Brown III

11/12/2010

Certificate of Originality
Academic Operations & Training

STEP OUTSIDE YOUR WORLD ANALYSIS

6