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Cultural Quick Tips
Cultural Quick Tips is a service of the Culture Coach. Regular short email newsletters contain quick tips for how to function more effectively in our diverse marketplace.
Subscription to the Quick Tips Newsletter is free.
Email Culture Coach International to be put on the list.
Companies interested in distributing the Tips through their internal websites may do so after signing a licensing agreement with Kari Heistad. Monthly subscriptions are available for a reasonable fee.
Accept Differences
When we interact with people with backgrounds different than ours, we are often confronted with alternate ways of viewing the world. These differences often challenge our own beliefs, and they may give us a reason to examine the world from a different point of view. Many times we tolerate the differences of others, but we don't accept their differences. True acceptance of differences empowers us to create a world that is based on equality and respect. The next time you encounter a difference, question if you are tolerating it or truly accepting it. If you are tolerating it, ask yourself what is keeping you from accepting this difference, and then move towards acceptance, thereby appreciating the richness that the world has to offer.
Believe in New Ideas
A positive attitude about new ideas is one that can help in all areas of our lives. But when working in a multicultural environment we have the opportunity to regularly learn new ideas. These new ideas will often challenge our paradigm - or how we frame the world. By believing that new ideas can be exciting, we ensure that we will continue to grow and expand, immersing ourselves in the world that we live in. New ideas cannot only teach us about other people, but they can also help us to explore different aspects of ourselves. The next time you encounter an idea from a different culture, try to suspend judgment long enough to ask yourself, "What can I learn from this new idea?" You may be surprised by what you learn about yourself, the people around you, and the world in which you live.
Cultivate Cultural Curiosity
With so many distinct cultures in the world, exploring the world with cultural curiosity is a life long adventure. Cultivate your cultural curiosity by asking questions such as "I wonder how they do that in.......?" or "What would I do differently if I were........?" or "I wonder what music from.......sounds like?" or "What would I consider beautiful if I were........" or "What does ...........mean to someone from that culture?" Get started today, by asking one question such as these and then seeking the answer from a coworker, the local library, the internet or your favorite music shop. Your exploration will help spark your cultural curiosity and at the very least give you a cultural tidbit to share with friends.
Give Respect to Everyone
When we give respect to other people we are treating them as we ourselves would like to be treated. For people with similar views or cultural backgrounds, giving them respect if often easy. However, when confronted with someone who has a very different world view, giving them respect may challenge us in ways
that makes us uncomfortable. Acknowledging their perspective does not mean that we need to like or agree with their point of view, but it is accepting the fact that it is their view, just as we have our own. Being able to acknowledge a different viewpoint is the first step in creating a dialogue between you. When someone challenges your beliefs, remember the quote by Ghandi "Be the change you want to see in the world" and offer them the respect that you would like to receive in return.
Embrace Change
Do you embrace change or fear it? In today's quickly changing workplace, being willing to embrace change is a skill that is increasingly needed. But, what does embracing change look like? Here are a few steps to help you embrace our changing world:
• Notice your internal default response when you detect change. Are you fearful when you notice change? If so, ask yourself how this change could be positive.
• If the world is going to change, with or without you, doesn't it make sense to take an active role is shaping the change? Empower yourself to be proactive not reactive and become part of change in the world instead of waiting for it to come to you.
• When change occurs - press pause before you respond. Choosing how you respond instead of responding reactively will improve the quality of your reactions.
The world is changing - and so are we. Embracing change can lead us to new adventures we never imagined possible.
Find Similarities to Celebrate
When we learn about other cultures, we often focus on the obvious differences found between us which are the easiest to see. Finding our similarities or common humanity can often be more difficult, but doing so helps us to the create the building blocks of friendship and understanding. For example, using a cultural identity exercise, I have found that people around the world share a common commitment to friends and family. Other similarities to draw upon could include a passion for a hobby, sport, career track, or religion. The next time you interact with someone who is from a different culture, seek a link that you have in common. If you have a conflict or misunderstanding with this person in the future, remember this common link and use it to help you to resolve your differences.
Gather in New Friends
It is a natural human desire to have friends who have similar backgrounds or points of view on the world. But, this can limit the opportunities you have to look at the world in a different way. Gathering in new friends is a fun and easy way to expand your horizons. Look around you to find someone who seems interesting, but who has a different background than you do. Ask that person out to lunch and share your personal stories. If you are shy, start with saying hello to someone at work who has a common interest with you and build a friendship from there. As your friendship develops, be curious about the other person's world and share yours. This week reach out to someone new and see which land a new bridge of friendship will take you to.
Help Others to Understand You
An element of cultural competence is being able to share who you are with others. In order to do this, you must first understand what makes you unique, for it is your uniqueness that makes you interesting. Take a few moments to think about the following question:
What are the unique experiences, talents, hobbies, interests, values and beliefs that make up who you are?
Once you know what makes you unique you can share it with others. Easy conversational lead ins are: “one of things I have learned is...or…what I really enjoy is...or… when I can… ” This month, share with others what makes you unique and help us to understand why you are an important part of the world
Investigate Languages
With over 6,912 living languages in the world, investigating languages can be a grand adventure. When you learn about a language, you also learn about the culture that created it. Learning a few words gives you insights into how the people who use it think about the world. For example, if you are learning about Japanese you might discover that there is no word for brother ˆ but only words for older or younger brother which denotes the hierarchy found in Japanese families. With over 19% of the US population speaking a foreign language at home, learning a few words of another language can help you reach out to other communities and cultures. This month, hablo espanol, parlez francais or snakker norsk and understand the world a little better by speaking their language.
Keep An Open Mind
There is the a saying that "some minds are like concrete - all mixed up and set." When interacting across cultures, it is important to keep an open mind to other possibilities so that your mind doesn't become set in only one way of seeing things. With the diversity found in the US workplace, there are often opportunities view a project, idea or proposal from a different point of view. The next time an idea comes up that is different of yours - pause and ask yourself "what can I learn from this" before responding. One excellent response would be to say "I hadn't thought about it that way, can you tell me more?" This demonstrates to others that you are willing to listen and to be open to their way of viewing the world.
Learn to be Uncomfortable
When you are interacting with people from other cultures and backgrounds there can be moments of discomfort. This is natural as you are exposed to different views, thoughts, beliefs and customs from what you are used to. The feeling of discomfort comes when you are pushed to examine yourself in new ways, or to explore your beliefs from a different perspective. Being uncomfortable means that something is different - but it doesn't mean that it is wrong. Therefor, the next time this happens, don't rush to push the discomfort aside. Examine your discomfort, ask yourself where it is coming from and acknowledge it to yourself and if appropriate to others. To reduce your discomfort, seek out more information from other people or resources. Being willing to be uncomfortable for a short time can provide you with a greater understanding of yourself and the world around you.
Meet People Not Stereotypes
Let's be honest - we all have stereotypes about people who are a different gender, height, or are from a different part of the country or the world to name a few. If you disagree - think about the last 5 jokes that you have told - I bet one of them was probably based upon a stereotype. A stereotype is assuming an idea about someone based upon their membership in a particular group. Stereotypes can have a general truth to them - take for example the stereotype that Americans hold a core belief of valuing freedom. While this may be true in general, it may not be true for everyone. When we interact across different cultures, we need to keep in mind that we are meeting and interacting with individuals who are within a group of people. Thus, each person will have their own backgrounds and beliefs that may or may not be shared by the group. In the future, improve your interactions with others by checking the assumptions you are making about them. A question such as "In general I have heard that people from ____________ believe __________. Is that true for you as well?" will help you to gain clarity and insight.
Note a Person's Individual Worth
You can probably remember the last time you received a sincere compliment. It feels great to receive a compliment, even more so when it is specific to a unique quality of yours. When you pass along a compliment you also feel good so it is win-win. This month, let others around you know how much you appreciate their individual worth by passing along compliments. To do this, stop and think about your colleagues at work and ask yourself - what about them makes them unique? If someone else did their job, what about this person would you miss? Then, pass along a compliment to them. For example use "You know, I really appreciate ___________about you." or "You bring a ___________ perspective that is important to our work." If you really want to surprise them, put it in writing so that they can refer back to it later. This is guaranteed to brighten someone's day and it will let them know you appreciate them for who they are.
Observe the World Around You
Our cultural background is part of the filter through which we see the world. It impacts how we perceive events, people and our environment. For most of us, our days fly by in a blur. By stopping our auto-pilot and taking a closer look at just one person or event in a new way, we have the opportunity to re-frame our perceptions. We can see the world through new "eyes". When we look at the world through fresh eyes, we can choose the best possible manner of interacting. This month, as you interact across cultures, pause your automatic responses and see the world through new eyes. In doing so, you might discover a new friend, or you might discover a new way to seeing yourself. Either way, it will be a fresh way of seeing the world.
Practice Patience
Patience is an art - a willingness to pause and wait without becoming annoyed. Within a multicultural or diverse group, patience is often called upon as we negotiate different cultures, social norms, expectations and assumptions. When working across cultures, consider the following tips for cultivating better patience:
• Ask yourself what you think the person's true original intent was
• Don't impose your expectations upon how someone else should act - allow them to be themselves
• Realize that social norms may be different and suspend your judgements
It is important to practice patience with others, but it is also important to be patient with ourselves. We all see the world through our own assumptions, values and norms. By being patient we can assist ourselves and others to navigate interactions in a manner that honors each person's background and individuality.
Question Your Assumptions
You use assumptions in your daily life such as assuming that everyone else will obey the traffic laws on the way to the grocery store, which you assume will be in the same place as it was last week. While some assumptions can be helpful, others can hold you back from understanding how someone else sees the world. This can result in passing judgment on someone else's behavior when it doesn't match your assumptions about the way people should behave. If you find yourself thinking "why are they doing that" in a critical manner, then it's a good time to check what assumptions you are making. Alternatively, you may find that people are making assumptions about you too.
When working in a multi-cultural environment, explore how your assumptions are impacting your interactions with others. Use open inquiry questions such as "can you share with me how you see that?" to gain clarity with others and be willing to share your own way assumptions to promote better understanding. It is also helpful to remember the quote from Wade Davis: "The world in which you were born is just one model of reality. Other cultures are not failed attempts at being you: they are unique manifestations of the human spirit."
Read About Other Cultures
The world is contained within the pages of a book but how often do we take the time to stop and find that world? Reading a good book, an article or a website about another culture is an opportunity for us to peek into a world not known to us. It is also a way for us to learn about people if we do not feel comfortable asking them a question directly. This month, take a moment to peruse one of the these "quick read" websites for resources to learn about another religion, culture, custom or food. The world is an exciting place, if we take the time to explore what is waiting for us.
CIA World Factbook: Just the facts -nothing more or less
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html
State Dept. Background Notes: More detailed country info
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/
Library of Congress: Portals of the World- Resources about and around the world
http://www.loc.gov/rr/international/portals.html
Library of Congress Country Profiles: 25 page reports on selected countries
Executive Planet: Resources for business travelers http://www.executiveplanet.com
BeliefNet: Learn about different faiths http://www.beliefnet.com/
World Recipes: from around the world: http://www.world-recipes.info/
Stop Prejudice
As we grow up, we absorb the ideas of how our parents, family, community and country view the world. These ideas serve as the foundational building blocks for our interactions with others. But, what if those ideas are as Ralph Rosnow says "an unreasonable attitude that is unusually resistant to rational influence?*" If so, then we have absorbed some of the prejudices of others into our own view points. Stopping prejudice means that first we must recognize that we have all learned prejudices about groups of people throughout our lives. We learn them from others, or they come from own personal interactions with one person that we generalize to a whole group.
Prejudices come out in comments like "all people from x are lazy, or the inverse of "all people from y are smart in math." If we are to stop prejudice in the world we must first begin with ourselves. As we interact in a diverse world, we must watch ourselves for broad general based comments that resist rational influence. When we find such as idea - we must stop and ask ourselves where that idea came from and then explore how this idea is hindering our ability to see a person for who they are instead of our seeing our own prejudice.
*Rosnow, Ralph L.; Poultry and Prejudice. Psychology Today, (March, 1972): p. 53.Travel to New Lands
Travel to New Lands
Traveling gives us the opportunity to see a different world and to take in new foods, sounds, images and people. It affords us the chance to see the world through a different perspective and at the same time come face to face with ourselves and our own culture. By stepping outside of our culture, we are able to look back on where we are from with new insight. Even if you cannot travel far, you can still travel in creative ways.
Fall into a book about another culture, place or time.
• If you live close to a city, visit the local Chinatown or Little Italy.
• Wander into an ethnic grocery store and see how the names, spices and foods transport you to an unfamiliar place.
• Or find a friend or colleague who has traveled and ask them to share their photos and stories.
By traveling to another land, culture or place you open yourself up the world around and in doing so, you might find connections that you never imagined possible before you left.
Understand Yourself Better
When exploring a new culture or part of the world, it is natural for your focus to be on what is happening around you. However, your perception of what you experience is influenced by who you are, that is your internal beliefs, norms, expectations, etc. This means that interacting with other people is really half about them and half about yourself. One important first step to understanding "them" is first understanding "you." This exploration of your inner nature can come from self reflection and by watching how you interact with others. When you self reflect here are a few questions that you can consider that will help you to learn more about yourself:
• What makes me feel comfortable or uncomfortable?
• How do I define myself when I interact others?
• What do I believe to be true?
• What bias' or assumptions do I make in my life?
Considering these questions can help you to learn more about inner person, and can also make you more aware of how you interact. Knowing where you are coming from makes it easier to build a bridge of connection with the myriad of people you meet in your life.
Verify Before Assuming
Brainteaser puzzles are often designed to make solving them seem physically impossible. Typically brainteasers prey upon the assumptions we have about the way things work - or the way they look. A key development as a child is to learn what assumptions are accurate and which ones are not. We learn for example, that it is safe to assume that the sun will come up every day and that Mom or Dad will make breakfast. As an adult, we also make assumptions and the majority of our assumptions are accurate and valid. However when that is not true, we end up making poor decisions, often without realizing it.
While some of our assumptions are universal in that most people in the world have them, others are culturally specific. It is these culturally specific assumptions that can often cause miscommunication. When an interaction is not working, these questions can help explore the underlying assumptions:
• What is the basis for this assumption - is it personal experience or someone else's opinion?
• Does this assumption check out against what can be objectively observed?
• If the assumption(s) were set aside, how would it help the interaction?
As we interact with others, we need to pay attention to our assumptions about them. If we have known someone for a long time, it is also helpful to make sure we have also updated our assumptions to make sure that they reflect who that person currently is.
Walk the Talk
It is always easier to talk about working across cultures than sometimes it is to be successful at it. Inherent in these interactions is a natural tension, because of the different backgrounds and understandings of the world. Walking the talk means that you are working on being more self aware of your own thinking and perceptions. It also means working to help others to gain awareness when it would be beneficial. You might also be an advocate for inclusion when it would help.
In order to create an environment that is inclusive and which builds upon the power of diversity it is important to monitor yourself. Here are three ideas on how to Walk the Talk:
1. Watch to see if you are acting in a way that promotes your values and beliefs - ie are you doing what you are saying?
2. Think about the way you ask or frame questions. For example do you ask someone about their spouse or do you use a more inclusive term such as partner if you don't know their marital status?
3. Promote other people's ideas to your colleagues. Different ideas challenge assumptions and promote discussion which in turn creates innovation.
Xenophobia - Seek to Eliminate It
Around the world the pattern of immigration for the last two thousand years has been that the most successful countries draw in immigrants typically seeking better work or a better life. These two forces continue to shape global movement today.
Protecting or maintaining a unique way of life is a natural human need. When a way of life is perceived as being threatened, fear can often arise. When that fear is excessive, it can result in xenophobia. Just as a country will often act to protect its culture from outside influences, employees of a company may do the same to preserve their unique ways. A wave of new employees hired will often cause "protectionism" to magically show up. This can be seen in comments such as "that's not the way things are done here" or "they are coming in with all of these new ideas and they just want to change everything."
Reducing xenophobia in any environment is done by differentiating between the legitimate need for stable surroundings and an excessive fear that can be seen as anger, discrimination or insults. These statements may help in opening up a dialogue:
• That is an interesting point of view, I haven't found that to the case in my experience, in fact I have found that ........
• While I can understand that you feel that people are very different, I have found that deep down, there is a common link among all of us. In fact, when I .............
• I can understand your national pride and I feel it too. I think it is also important that we do find a way to all work together in our global company ........