10 Strategies to Empower You
Are you planning to move abroad?
Are you working in a global marketplace or for a global company?
Heck! Have more foreign born people moved into your neighborhood?
If so, then this blog is the place to be!
I know that in recent years, I my neighborhood has become more culturally diverse.
I am thrilled!
Why, you ask. Because, when I moved in 30 years ago, I was the only Indian in town.
There were no Indians as far as the eye could see.
But due to various events since 2001, 911 for instance, rising costs in NYC and DC and the global workforce, my neighborhood was the it place to be.
All of a sudden, there are 7 Indian, Nepali and Bangladeshi restaurants, and grocery stores.
To my delight, a Falafel Hallal place just opened up next to my bank, and grocery store!
Now, I can satisfy my cravings for Shawarma – a distant memory from my days in Jeddah.
And, a plethora of cultures in the grocery store, where it is not uncommon to see someone in a hijab, salwar khameez or a colorful African dress.
If I am experiencing it here in my non big city town, I know you must be too.
So, I thought I would put down some strategies on how to effectively win your ordinary day.
Diversity in my Neighborhood
Tips to cultural competence by developing cultural intelligence.
So, what is cultural competence?
“It is the ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures”, according to GreggU.
So, the first step to cultural competence is awareness. Being aware of how your own culture influences the interpretation of other’s cultures and how people from other cultures may see you.
In this increasingly global workplace, it is important to understand 3 things:
- how we see the world,
- why we do the things we do,
- why do we choose certain ways to do these things.
Not only that, but I wish schools made this compulsory curriculum.
I wish schools would encourage more cultural diversity.
As an ESL teacher, I am fortunate to have a diverse population in my classroom.
Hanging out with different cultures at the ice cream parlor can teach kids tolerance.
Neighbors would understand and be tolerant when they see someone dressed in a turban or a hijab.
Cultural awareness is the starting point to addressing inequality in the situations and spaces around us.
Imagine if everyone started to do this?
According to the Harvard Business Review, “Cultural Intelligence: an outsider’s seemingly natural ability to interpret someone’s unfamiliar and ambiguous gestures the way that person’s compatriots would”
Tips for Cultural Competence at Work
1. Respect your Bilingual Co-worker or Client
They may not speak English, but they are intelligent, professional, and fluent in their own language. In fact, bilinguals posses a higher IQ since they have to code switch between two languages.
Just take a look at major hospitals in the US – speakers of all different languages work at these hospitals.
2. Observe always
Look at the totality of communication – body language, tone of voice, facial expressions, and the words they use. Put away your presumptions and discard notions of stereotypes. Don’t judge them by appearance.
3. Orient yourself
Don’t focus on the accent or grammar. Understand the message as a whole concept, not the individual words and their pronunciation. Besides, it is impolite to make fun of someone’s accent – it may be perceived as mockery even if you don’t intend to mock but just tease.
4. Feedback
Check for understanding by repeating what they have said in a summary. Have them express what you have said in their own words. Be patient while doing so.
5. Speak with Care
Carefully pronounce your words and speak slowly but not too slowly. Speaking very slowly may be offensive. It may give them the impression that you think they are not intelligent enough to pick up what you are saying.
6. Use Cultural References Wisely
Stay away from cultural jokes – they may not be understood. Refrain from the use of idioms because they may be taken literally. For example, learn what offends Americans.
Cultural references to movies and tv shows may not be grasped or understood. Remember that not everyone watches the same stuff.
7. Speak English
When in mixed cultural company, meaning there are many languages present in the room resort to English.
Although it is easier to speak your native language, it is always polite to speak the common language.
8. Keep it simple
Use simple vocabulary not complex. For example, instead of saying ‘mitigate’ say ‘help’.
9. Use the ‘w’ words
Ask questions using the ‘wh-words: who, what, where, when and why as these questions elicit simple direct answers.
10. Be polite
When addressing someone uses their full name. Err on the side of caution as some cultures don’t like being addressed by their first name in formal situations.
11. Take no offense
Don’t be offended if you are interrupted as this is common in some cultures, while in others there are long silences in a conversation as this conveys importance to the idea or thought being discussed.
12. Remember your human skills
Empathy, compassion, effective communication are stellar skills to have when dealing with other cultures.
What are some of the strategies you may have picked up when dealing with international cultures? Comment below.
