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Becoming Culturally Competent
By Celia Rentería Szelwach
Authors like Thomas Friedman claim the world is becoming flatter , more interdependent , and increasingly more competitive due to technology and ease of movement across international borders . According to DiversityInc magazine , by 2050 , persons of diverse origins will comprise 50 % of the population . It sounds like our world is rapidly becoming a vibrant blend of cultures , beliefs , values , and people doesn ’ t it ? But what are the implications for our working lives ?
Among marketing professionals , it ’ s common to hear about cultural misunderstandings that result in lost revenues , negative brand image , and decreased market share . International relations are often strained through mishandling of crosscultural negotiations . Now , cultural mishaps are becoming not only brand-threatening , but lifethreatening as well . Healthcare professionals are researching and evaluating healthcare disparities among multicultural patients and discovering that quality of service delivery often depends upon understanding the cultural beliefs and perspectives of patients and their families .
Although it seems like a straightforward concept , culture has many facets which can unite or divide us . Like an iceberg , culture has certain features we can see , but many components reside below the waterline . It ’ s the factors below the waterline that often result in misunderstandings , conflict , and missed opportunities .
The process of developing cultural competence requires patience and a willingness to honestly assess personal and organizational commitment to culturally competent outcomes . Change begins with the individual , relies on team commitment , and ultimately requires support from the organizational culture in order to achieve a sustainable impact . How can you leverage the effects of globalization and changing demographics by improving your level of cultural competence , or your knowledge , skills , and abilities to work effectively with and influence multicultural consumers , coworkers , and stakeholders ? Try these :
1 . Complete a self-assessment like the Discovering Diversity Profile ® to determine your current skill levels in cultural competence . Create an action plan to build your strengths and improve weaker areas .
2 . Develop a network of multicultural professionals who can introduce you to their culture . www . TampaBayin . com is a great place to start connecting with career experts and resources . 3 . Attend cultural competence workshops or lectures offered by your employer or community . 4 . Learn and practice a new language or read books about cross-cultural topics and people . 5 . Join chambers of commerce and associations that reach diverse markets . 6 . Ask a multicultural executive or coworker to show you the ropes and be an informal mentor . 7 . Make presentations to coworkers about your culture for heritage month celebrations . 8 . Volunteer and participate in ethnic events to learn more about multicultural communities .
Be open to new experiences and surround yourself with people who think differently and can share the beauty of their cultures with you !
Celia Rentería Szelwach is a writer , career coach , and President of Creative Collaborations Consulting . Contact her at cszelwach @ creative-collaborations . com or 941-795-0928 .
International Author Shares Career Advancement Tips for Latino Immigrants
By Rosa Mercado
Mariela Dabbah first came to the U . S . in 1988 as a tourist from Argentina . After receiving her green card , and starting several companies , she began to write books aimed at helping other Latino immigrants in the assimilation process and achieving success in America .
Dabbah recently shared pointers from her book Cómo Conseguir Trabajo en los Estados Unidos , Guia para Latinos at an event sponsored by Barnes & Noble and The Tampa Bay Chapter of NSHMBA ( National Society of Hispanic MBA ’ s ). Dabbah explained that networking is crucial to successful career and professional advancement .
Mariela ’ s Top 5 Rules of Networking :
1 ) Be generous : Use your contacts to help other people – the more you give , the more you get ! 2 ) Connect at the human level : Connecting is not about collecting business cards - you have to actually connect with the other person . 3 ) Follow up : Don ’ t even start if you ’ re not going to follow up ! Call or email ( preferably call ) the people you have promised something to . Do whatever it takes to keep yourself on the radar . 4 ) Leave your ‘ comfort zone ’: The bigger you network , the more opportunities you have to grow . Socialize in places where you don ’ t usually hang out . 5 ) Be prepared : Know how you will introduce yourself , what you have to offer , and your short and long-term goals for every event you attend .
For more information about Mariela Dabbah and her books , visit www . marieladabbah . com .