Rubbing shoulders with people from different cultures has become more and more frequent for many of us and, as a result, more important.
On a day-to-day basis, as we collaborate with different people and get them to move in the same direction to achieve the vision of the organization, those who have mastered the art of #diplomacy will always have a competitive edge.
But Integration across multicultural teams can be difficult in the face of prejudice or negative cultural stereotypes. Professional #communication can be misinterpreted or difficult to understand across languages and cultures.
That’s the reason #cross-cultural awareness is a critical skill as a diplomat.
Being culturally aware is something of great value that will be useful throughout your life; whether you're traveling abroad for a holiday or working across cultures.
Collins Dictionary defines it as,
"Someone's cultural awareness is their understanding of the differences between themselves and people from other countries or other backgrounds, especially differences in attitudes and values."
In last month’s #TCPLive on “How to lead like a diplomat?” Lashley Pulsipher, a Global Leadership Consultant shared very useful insights on how to cultivate cross-cultural awareness.
She suggests that reading fiction from another culture and studying another language is a great way to cultivate cultural awareness.
In fact, a report in The Independent cites a recent survey that suggests that reading groups can help in aiding people’s understanding of the world.
Watch Lashley in action in the video below and let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
About the Speaker:
Ms. Lashley Pulsipher is a global leadership consultant and ICF certified executive coach based in Denver, Colorado, USA. She is an enterprising former CxO who is accustomed to the dynamic pace of working in emerging & growth-leading economies from Africa to the Middle East and South Asia. She has more than a decade of experience leading regional teams across several industries including customer experience, luxury hospitality & real estate, international security, and wellness. Lashley is an adept communications trainer specializing in executive presence, crisis management, and impactful presentation skills. She holds a master’s degree in International Policy. Lashley supports entrepreneurs by serving as a guest speaker, coach, and mentor to start-up programs around the world. She also volunteers as a facilitator for restorative justice programs in Denver, Colorado.