CIS 110: Composition and Communication Fall 2014

Professional/Workplace Culture Informative Speech Outline

NAME:: GiGi Felix

CULTURE: Speech Pathology

Introduction
I.
Attention Getter: Does stumbling upon your words ever embarrass you? Imagine what it
is like to have a speech impediment.
II.
Listener Relevance Statement/Link: We have all been there where we feel embarrassed
because we either say a word funny or mess up our words. Everyone should take into
consideration the emotional pain people with speech impediments feel.
III.

Speaker Credibility: Have confidence in what you are speaking about.

IV.
Thesis Statement with Main Point Review: In the culture of speech pathology, three of
Hofstedes Dimensions that are apparent include Masculinity-Femininity, Power Distance, and
Short-term Long-term Orientation.
Body
I.

First Main Point: Masculinity-Femininity

A. Subpoint: Masculine
a. Evidence/Sub-subpoint: Without judging it was hard for Ellen to explain why
exactly this career is much more female orientated. She explained that maybe
historically this is why it is. Females historically have been ones to take on roles
of nurturing and caring roles, while men focus on more labor-orientated careers.
b. Evidence/Sub-subpoint: In the article written by Litosseliti and Leadbeater, they
explain possible reasons for why females mostly occupy this profession. Men
only make up about 2.5 % of all speech therapists. Their research indicates that
there is stratification between what is mens work and womens work and
most think this profession is womens work. This indicates that Ellens
predictions are relatively true; there is a major divination between the two simply
because of historical standards.
B. Subpoint: Masculine
a. Evidence/Sub-subpoint: Ellen described that this career definitely has traditional
gender roles. The women are more on the therapy side, while men take on the
roles of getting their PHD in order to become a Doctor and able to teach to
college students. This goes back to the teaching aspect where women typically
teach younger students, where men teach upperclassmen.
b. Evidence/Sub-subpoint: In this article the authors explain that through their
research they interviewed children where young people (especially boys) judge
the desirability of occupations against the concept of gender and are less willing
to violate what they perceive as gender appropriateness. Gender stereotypes
contribute to the sexual segregation in various occupations and this is seen true in
speech pathology due to the characteristics of nurturing, caring, and patience
being seen as womanly.

Transition: With these characteristics, they are also vital in Hofstedes Dimension of Shortterm Long-term Orientation.

CIS 110: Composition and Communication Fall 2014

II.

Second Main Point: Short term-Long-term Orientation

A. Subpoint: Long-term Orientation
a. Evidence/Sub-subpoint: Ellens colleague showed her patience by teaching the
childs mother methods on how to improve her childs behavioral issues. A child
with Autism and behavioral problems was having a breakdown after their session
and the mother was overwhelmed. She did not know how to control him;
therefore Ellens colleague went the extra mile and showed the mom how to
control the situation. Her method was to simply walk with the mom to the car and
ignore the child. Although this sounds harsh, it worked perfectly. This is just one
example of how patience is essential in being successful in this career.
b. Evidence/Sub-subpoint: In this article Conrad Wedberg describes the different
personality characteristics that are important for a Speech Pathologist to obtain.
Although, this subject can be bias Wedberg picks three characteristics that almost
every speech therapist has; this includes humility, patience, and sincerity. They
are vital in this field with creating relationships with clients.
B. Subpoint: Long-term Orientation
a. Evidence/Sub-subpoint: Ellen described that creating a strong bond between her
patients creates an environment where they want to learn and work hard simply to
please her. It is very important for a Speech Pathologist to preserve their
relationships with clients because otherwise the process can become grueling and
frustrating. Patience and persistence are essential to have due to it can become
frustrating seeing results very sporadically.
b. Evidence/Sub-subpoint: Wedberg describes humility as It enables them to trust
the therapist, and in turn trust themselves, to feel a sense of belongness with the
therapist, to love and be loved. Patience is able to ease the signs of anxiety and
tension and replace fear with trust and faith. Wedberg describes sincerity as the
character trait which may be the most dynamic of all in a successful speech
therapist.

Transition: Although it is important to obtain these specific characteristics, it is also essential

speech pathologists know how to work in a team setting along with their supervisor. This
career has a Low Power Distance.
III. Third Main Point: Power Distance
A. Subpoint: Low Power Distance
a. Evidence/Sub-subpoint: There is a division director, but she is consistently
collaborating with her colleagues, which makes it easy to create a personal
relationship with them. Ellen feels she can be very personable with her division
director and is able to have a very open discussion about various subjects.
b. Evidence/Sub-subpoint: In an article by Vicki McCready she explains the
techniques Speech Pathologists and their supervisors are taught during clinicals
that allow them to have an open relationship with one another. In clinicals they
work directly with a supervisor and practice such skills as teamwork and various
collaboration techniques.
B. Subpoint: Low Power Distance
a. Evidence/Sub-subpoint: Ellen explains that there is always open discussion and it
is acceptable to discuss if your opinion is different from the division director. She
describes this as being very meaningful. This allows her and her colleagues to
have a strong career and personal relationship with one another, including their
division director.

CIS 110: Composition and Communication Fall 2014

b. Evidence/Sub-subpoint: Also, Ellen exenterates the fact that every month her
team meets in a collaboration meeting with their division director. This allows
them to keep a close relationship, while growing together as a team.
Conclusion
I.

Restatement of Thesis: In the culture of speech pathology, three of Hofstedes

Dimensions that are apparent include Masculinity-Femininity, Power Distance, and
Short-term Long-term Orientation.

II.

Summary of Main Points: In this workplace culture it obtains a Masculine culture, Low
power distance, and Long-term Orientation. There are a greater percentage of females on
the therapy side, while on the PHD and teaching side more men work. Many Speech
Pathologists feel they can have a close relationship with their supervisors due to the
collaboration that is vital in this career. Creating strong bonds with patients allows them
to feel safe and secure with their therapist, making it easier to improve.

III
Clincher: Finally, the culture of Speech Pathology is greatly represented by these three
Hofstedes Dimensions. It is important to take into consideration the next time you come across
someone with a speech impediment to not make fun of them, but to rather have patience with
them.