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| CSP Fellowship 2016 |
My work has taken me places and definitely brought different people
along the way. I have grown to appreciate diversity through my various
exposures. Sometimes I have been shocked while other times I was literally
overwhelmed by the differences. Over time I have developed cultural competence
and can now easily adapt to any new setting without a struggle. I have come to
terms with the fact that cultural diversity is here to stay.
I have had the privilege of traveling to different parts of
the world and I have never found a place where all people belong to the same
culture. Whether developed or developing country, communities are becoming more
and more multi-cultural. As workforce demographics shift and global markets
emerge, workplace diversity has become a business necessity that must be fully
integrated into the structuring of businesses.
The 21st employee must be open to cultural
diversity and be fully equipped to thrive in its midst. The world has become
one global village and only those who can effectively integrate in its
structures will be able to establish a niche in their industries. As an employee,
you need to embrace the fact that you are bound to work in multi-cultural work environment
as well as appreciate the benefits that this diversity offers.
Employers are becoming increasingly obsessed with cultural
competence and as a result it is ranked highly in interview and selection
processes. Cultural competence, in brief, is the ability to interact
effectively with people from different cultures. This ability depends on
awareness of one’s own cultural worldview, knowledge of other cultural
practices and worldviews, tolerant attitudes towards cultural differences, and
cross-cultural skills.
To successfully integrate into a workplace with diverse
cultures, you must begin by analyzing and understanding the different cultures
represented. Culture refers to the values, norms, and traditions that affect
the way a member of a group typically perceives, thinks, interacts, behaves,
and makes judgments. It even affects perceptions of time, which can impact
day-to-day scheduling and deadlines.
Research about the company you want to join, do a site visit
before you start work or even ask an insider about the different cultures
represented in the organization. Compare them with the organizational culture
as well as your own personal culture. By finding the middle line between these
three, you ensure a smooth transition into a workplace.
When you join a department, pay attention to the diverse
cultural groupings that you will be working with. This background knowledge
will equip you to effectively integrate as well as build rapport. Understanding
where people are coming from makes it easy to appreciate the differences in our
midst. Be open to learning even as you embrace diverse cultures in your workplace.
Whether you like it or not, you are bound to study and work
in multi-cultural environments, so you need to build your competence in that
regard. Your ability to thrive in these environments will greatly impact your effectiveness
in a fast growing economy. Diversity offers great learning opportunities as
well as creativity. Embrace diversity and get ready to thrive.
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