Multicultural Makeover By Maria Elena Duron, Multicultural Networking Editor Maria's Bio     Email article     RSS feed      Share on  facebook

In late 2007, CNN reported that the toy aisles were having a “multicultural makeover” as Dora the Explorer led the way as stores filled shelves with dolls that reflected the skin colors and facial features of the boys and girls that played with them.

Multiculturalism, whether we consider it a friend or foe is occurring and will continue to occur at an ever increasing pace in the future. Organizations will need employees that can 'globalize themselves', including speaking another language, understanding different cultures and being able to get along and work alongside someone from a different country with little or no notice.

Do you consider yourself ready? Or, do you need a multicultural makeover? Here are some proactive things you can do:

1. Study the people and the country more than the language. Too often, in attempts to fit in, we work hard in the words of the language yet experience a disconnect in the passion behind the words. It’s more important to study the people and the culture. Even as I coach professionals to speak, the focus always seems to be on the words when that is only 7% of the message. The “rest of the story” lies in the tone and body language. With that body language and passion being the core 93% of communication, doesn’t it make sense to study the people and the culture.
2. It’s more than learning facts. I feel that this point is a reiteration of the first – it’s the passion behind the behavior, the meaning behind the activity. While at Filipino and Hispanic weddings the “money dance” or the “dollar dance” differ slightly in their execution – the meaning is quite the same, to send the newlyweds off with some money for their honeymoon or their new home. The nuances of “pinning the money on the dress” as opposed to placing the money in a basket held by the maid of honor or best man, are slight factual differences that in no way under mind the meaning.
3. Analyze your own cultural behavior. Because it’s been a part of us all of our lives, we rarely spend time really looking at ourselves through the same eyes we view someone new to us. Why do you do what you do – when you meet and greet people? Or, when you serve food? Or, when you accept a business card?
4. Expect differences. There are cultures that cherish and savor the business card pass and consider writing information on a business card to be rude. There are other cultures offended if you don’t share a glass and a toast before sitting and discussing business. Even in the way we “beckon” people in the U.S. with a pointer finger curled it is like “giving someone the finger” in the Philippines?
5. Conflict can be positive. When we inadvertently stumble upon a difference in the form of a conflict sometimes it is just the energy needed to discover and learn about someone else’s culture and meaning. Sometimes conflict can provide that extra incentive.

Steer clear of the assumption that everyone in a minority group is alike. There are different cultures and subcultures within any group – minority or majority. The key is understanding and not placing one group above another nor one school of thought. While Bill Cosby said, “I don’t know the key to success but I know the key to failure is trying to please everyone.” It can also be said there are simple things that can be done to make all people feel welcome.

 

Maria Elena Duron, C.P.B.S., C.N.P. PCC, is Chief Buzz Agent, speaker and coach specializing in connecting high performing entrepreneurs and executives and using what makes them best so they can move from their frantic pursuit to success and balance now.

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