Mega Skill 2 Checking Our Cultural Lense

To effectively communicate with those from different cultures, we need to be aware of both ourselves and others.

 We see the world through our individual cultural lens, and this biased view is based on our values and beliefs.

Unfortunately, we find in times when we need the greatest clarity and objectivity, we are most likely to be wearing our cultural lens. Since we don't always know when our cultural lens is on, we don't ask the questions that will lead us to the truth. We don't know what it is that we don't know, so we never learn how to be a cultural detective.   
 

 

Shifting Perspectives

 

As most of us are oblivious to the cultural lens that we see the world through, it's hard for us to confront our hidden biases and develop the cultural skills we really need to help us expand our profitability and influence within our businesses.  The world is now changing and this demographic and cultural change is opening us to wider experiences and transforming  the world around us.  These demographic changes have real impact on your business, customers and clients.

The global economy is diversifying this is changing the way we think, team and do business. These trends will contribute to a new social and economic reality, where the attention is directed to inclusion. 

Why Is This Important

As the customer and markets become more diverse so do labour markets. Inclusion means more than just tolerating or putting up with diversity. It's about adapting your business to be more versatile in these new markets.

Cultural Intelligence “CQ"

In todays world  we need "CQ", it’s the key competency that assists us to effectively interact with others. In order to be able to shift our cultural lense to adapt to other experiences, we need to be able to widen our own experiences and knowledge of other cultures.

Constant Awareness

This refers to the skill of being mindful or cognizant of oneself or others. This awareness assists us to tune into our biases at any given moment and reflect on our cultural upbringing.

Cultural Understanding

Involves us exposing ourselves to the information about cultural difference and similarities, this also involves us grasping what the information means and its significance. As the diagram shows these competencies are interdependent and all have an impact each other.

Our skills to effectively communicate with those who are different from ourselves depends on the awareness of ourselves and others, we must also be able to understand this process.

 

As realities begin to change in this multicultural global environment "CQ” becomes a critical component of an individual’s resume.  Research is showing employers are in desperate need of employees with "CQ" who are able to adjust to the changing workplace and workforce. Many employers just don't have the skills to measure up to what is needed, and to make things more complicated, "CQ" is a skill that needs to be developed and nutured over time, it can't be manufactured. It takes time, motivation and constant practice.
.

Drive the Culture Change to Thrive

It's quite common for individuals with high technical skills to possess low "CQ". This often occurs when there is a singular focus on technical skills “the ability to use tools and procedures in a specific field".  According to a recent study by Leadership IQ, these new hires within your workforce lack interpersonal skills rather than technical skills.

Different situations require different skills, with "CQ "the mega skills are of para-importance; they are the fundamental skills that will support you to excel in your job role and other areas of your life.

Building "CQ" is no easy task for any organisation, you need to adapt cognitive and behavioural skills but the impact and out comes on your business will excel if "CQ" is applied. With the correct mind-set and motivation to develop those collaborators and connectors within your organisation it is possible to develop the nine mega skills and drive the culture change to thrive.

Source: Pearson Education 2013

 

If you want to find out more, log on to our website and sign up to receive regular business builder tips, our newsletter and speed discounts when booking training . sign up here