Transcript CULTURAL DIVERSITY MZ

CULTURAL
DIVERSITY
Structure of Presentation
1.0 What is Culture?
2.0 Understanding Cultural Differences
3.0 Dealing with Cultural Differences
1.0 What is Culture - definition
Culture is a shared system of :
• Meanings
• Beliefs
• Values
• Behaviours
through which experience is interpreted
and carried out
Culture is …
•
•
•
•
•
Relative
Learned
Taught
Changes over time
Complex responsive
process
 A set of learned behaviors, values, beliefs
and patterns of interaction shared by a group
of people who tend to share historical and
geographical proximity.
 “Culture is everything that people have,
think, and do as members of their society.”
 One's own culture provides the "lens"
through which we view the world...
 In other words, culture is central to what we
see, how we make sense of what we see,
and how we express ourselves.
THE LEVELS OF CULTURE
Individual
Forces Shaping Individual Culture
Urbanisation
Nationalism
Colonisation
Migration
Minority
Experience
Education
Industrialisation
Personal Culture
Social
background
Values
World-views
Crosscultural
Adjustments
Profession
Beliefs
Ethnic
background
Behaviours
Gender
Language
Religion
2.0 Understanding cultural differences
1. Identify Common Ground / background
2. Identify barriers
Language
Perceptual
Mental framework
3. Remove communication barriers
4. Adapt your communication style
Culture in Operations
Military – Military
(International)
Civilians – Civilians
(International)
CULTURES
Military – Civilians
(Organisational)
Local Communities
International actors
Local communities
2.0 Understanding Cultural Differences
Typologies of cultures:
• Task oriented
• People Oriented
• Listener Oriented
Task Oriented Cultures
• Anglo American / German
• Data / Facts / Numbers / Individuals
• Style of communication; CBS (Clear Brief
Sincere), no overlapping, topic first
A
B
Multitask Oriented Cultures
• Mediterranean / Middle east
• People oriented / courtesies
• Style of communication;
Comment - topic / overlapping
A
B
Listener Oriented Cultures
• Far East / Finnic
• Collectivism / community /Spirituality
• Style of communication;
Long pauses / meditation
A
B
Which Communication Style?
Power = P
Distance = D
• Deferential (-P; + D)
diplomacy
• Solidarity (-P; -D)
business
• Hierarchical (+P; -/+D)
power differ.
Involvement
VS
independence
strategies
Roots of Diversity
 Nationalism
 Religion
 Ethnic Mixtures
 Customs & Habits
 Logic
Nationalism
Nationalism has many common factors:





RACE – superiority of ethnic background
COUNTRY – borders & geography
LANGUAGE – priority of linguistic kinship
RELIGION – deep religious faith
CULTURE – common values
Resurgence of Nationalism
 Often due to the collapse of empires or
ideologies.
 Can be either a good thing or a bad thing
Understanding Cultural Differences
Religion
• Religion – still an important place
in many societies
• Knowledge of religion of host
nation very important
• Respect
Collapse of law & order can lead to
RELIGIOUS
FANATICISM
Individuals should be blamed
NOT RELIGION!
3.0 Dealing with Cultural Differences
Building Cultural Awareness
• Understand your own culture
• Understand and accept logic of
other cultural frameworks
3.0 Dealing with Cultural Differences
Communication
• Language is culture specific
• Avoid use of idiomatic expressions
• Careful with humour
Dealing with Cultural Differences
Family and Gender
• Elders are highly respected in
some cultures
• Understand family ties
• Different gender beliefs and views
Logic
 The logic of other cultures may not be what
we are accustomed to
 We have to try to understand their logic and
apply it for our own needs
Special Considerations
•
•
•
•
•
•
Alcohol
Male  Female
Status
Recognize Friction and Stress
Military v Civilian
The Generation Gap
To avoid…background
• Stereotypes
• Prejudice
• Ethno-centric
perspectives
Host Country’s Culture
• Knowledge of history, culture, customs
and traditions
• Background
• Expectations
Dealing with Cultural Differences
Body Language
• Gesture/body
language have
different meanings
• Smile will never be
misunderstood
• Polite handshake is
accepted in most
cultures
Eating habits
• Utensils vs nonutensils
• Common plates
• Types of food
Beef, pork, fish
• Religious reasons
• Meal times
Adaptation Stages
 Honeymoon
– First Exciting Contact with the Culture
– Observe
– Excitement, curiosity, slight concern
 Initial Confrontation
– First intensive feelings
– Attempt to solve problems in familiar ways
– Surprise, confusion; mystified about others
behaviours
Adaptation Stages
 Adjustment Crisis
– Problems intensify
– Some experimentation with new behaviours
– Frustration, anger, confusion about own identity
 Recovery
– Sense of belonging to culture emerges
– New strategies to help one function effectively
– The culture is understandable, many aspects of
the new culture are enjoyable.
Conclusion
Cultural Intelligence
• Open-minded
• Benefit from different cultures
Conclusions
Develop Cultural Knowledge
Thinking
Customs
Thesis
Antithesis
Synthesis
Immanuel Kant
You do not have to like or accept different
behaviour, but try to understand it
Cooperate with
others by
respecting their
cultures
Don’t assume that everyone is like us
Discover the different cultures
when operating overseas
Summary
• Avoid conflicts due to misperception and make a
positive impression when dealing with the host
culture
• Prepare yourself ahead of time prior to
deployment; this will give you more credibility and
respect
• Follow the rules (written or not) of the host country
Make the effort, it will be worth it in the long run!!!
Cultural Diversities
“If you are
Humble, Respectful and Friendly
you will always be fine”
“in business you don’t get
what you deserve…
You get what you
negotiate!”