A better coordination in between different cultures

The world has been converted into a global village and there could be no denial especially when it comes to corporate sector where we can see people from different countries working together. But there arises the challenge of how to make a proper adjustment in between different cultures that sit together but do not understand each other’s cultures and traditions properly.  There we feel the need a proper coordination in between different cultures to understand make the work environment more tolerable.

Mind it dear readers, I am referring to different international community here but I could have very well mentioned the differences in between inter-state relations/differences as far as our country is concerned where we talk big about diversity and all but act too narrow minded when it comes to practicality. After all we go to different states for different purposes including job, study etc but we have yet to learn how to live respecting each other’s traditions and sentiments despite having lot of differences in our social, eating, religious or day to day habits.

Sense of sympathy with other cultures

If look at the topic in wider perspective at world level it will certainly need a particular attitude towards our outlook regarding this multifaceted that is having many different aspects or features which has widened its scope with increasing number of work opportunities all over the world hence most corporate in developed countries are using cultural activities as a business-tool to develop coordination within their workplaces and that is paying off well. 

It sure works well in a business establishment where people working there know each other on personal level, understand their culture and not only understand their culture but participate in their festivals and functions, that’s an experience in itself that they can only know when they become part of it. I can tell you that with my personal experience when I joined a function in a Chinese family and they were so delighted seeing my wife’s bangles every Chinese lady present there wanted to touch and everyone praised her bangles.

However, there could be no doubt about the fact that sense of cultural coexistence increases the sense of self security among the people living in other states or countries that has been point of awareness in many multinationals all over the world today and that is clearly showing its results. It not only brings the feeling the sense of security among the outsiders but increases productivity which is the basic criteria as far corporate are concerned and people in general. The corporate are giving proper importance to the fact their employees know each other well. 

Awareness at communication level

We all know it’s a common practice that every company   takes a detailed information regarding his educational, experience, family background etc at the time of his appointment but and unfortunately so no company asks how the last company treated him or his coworkers based on their residential status or how was the atmosphere in general or attitude of people with outsiders. That is one important aspect companies are looking at and making their employees aware about. Unless people learn to treat their staff and customers on equal terms no company can grow as much as it should according to its actual potential. 

We all agree to the point that our workplaces are not the same that used to be a couple of decades back. The work culture is changing at brisk rate and we have to keep pace with rest of the world we shall have to change according to international standards that needs changes in our communication style, time management, management of workforce and let me add cultural coexistence is very much part of human resources. If we cannot properly manage out interstate or international workforce on equal terms we cannot obtain proper results of our efforts we put in our industry.

I agree some of our problems are not as serious as we make them out to be. Some of them are so simple with simple solutions but if we do not find a solution at an initial stage the chances are they become serious and the ones that could be sorted out at the primary stage needs senior management to intervene to sort them out. Most of the problems that we consider due to diversity of cultures were not as serious but our lack of ability to handle them made them as serious. We shall have to get rid of our attitude “Chalta hai” (Overlooking at initial stage) is the main culprit of half the problems we face in different fields of life and our workplaces are no exceptions.

If we put a stop to something while it is still in its early developmental stage it will help the cause. We have another problem that is causing us lot of problems and that is if someone takes an initiative others either stop him or laugh his effort down. We can see that happening everywhere.  People feel small if someone reminds them about their duty or the right way to tackle a situation. Let me request to everyone to act more strictly and SYMPHATICALLY especially if you are working with diverse cultures.

What’s wrong in that?

We should feel obliged to allow a diversity of views to be shared freely I feel it will help us go a long way in tolerating others point of views as far different cultures are concerned.  Please do not mind my saying so but tell me what have you done in this particular segment, what have you done to understand my point of view or what have you done to understand others’ points if you have been trying to insert your own views all along while I was listening to you all sitting in a remote corner? If you will ponder upon these points seriously you will feel there is lot to do in this field. The world will be lot better place to live in as far peaceful coexistence is concerned.

How do you tackle such problems?

I mean, have you ever tried to understand the problems of people those come from far off places face living or working around you? I know certain people are really the pain in the butt but not all. Most people live and work peacefully as long you don’t consider them a burden on your state/country. After all they are in your place based on their qualities whatever the qualities education, technical expertise or money that they will spend while living in your area or technical qualifications that they will provide to your area for its betterment. Or even a laborer that will help develop you area so he has the wealth of his physical labor for you. Now tell me what do you have to offer him in return of his quality? 

Adding knowledge

Have you ever tried to understand different cultures by studying them via different sources like newspaper, television, internet etc? Maybe it will not provide an instant chance to use your knowledge gained through all these methods but I can assure you that you will be benefit understanding the cultures and use your knowledge in wider perceptive in a long run for sure.  I suggest you as corporate worker use your knowledge thus gained with any of your colleagues and see the result. You will be astounded with the reaction you will receive and you shall feel you’re far more important for that particular coworker from then on. You’ll be benefitted in more than one way you will get better cooperation from him in the future. 

Learn to listen them

Let me share my own experience I went through for almost nineteen weeks during a training session last year in Sydney in a class of twenty two students. Fourteen of us from different countries and out of remaining eight two were Italian Australians, two from New Zeeland settled in Australia and remaining four originally from England but now settled in Australia. We had Bangladeshi, Indians, Chinese and Koreans in our batch but I did not feel like a stranger for a single moment despite having lots of problems at the pronunciation level. It took me to understand maybe two weeks for Koreans; three for Chinese but rest were normal. Australians being as problematic as they always were for me. At least 10-15% of their talks always went over my head but I gave them a smile and they would repeat their sentence. 

Just imagine about the situation if we all started to laugh at each other’s way of pronunciation which is just a normal thing back in our country? That could have been funny but would not help our cause in any way.  To listen to others is part of our culture and while doing so our body language should be as positive as our expressions. If we concentrate properly we shall be able to understand in far better way. Maybe we could be able to catch those words 5% better and that will make all the difference.  

It would make a big difference

The main purpose of understanding the culture and traditions of employees is to make them comfortable and take the best out of them. Once a worker feels comfortable at his workplace happy with his surroundings his output goes up instantly. It’s absolutely necessary to take strong action against people making racist comments or behaving against the norms of work ethics which are otherwise also must within the rules of law and to keep the work atmosphere acceptable by all and sundry. In other words if management fails to keep the atmosphere in the best interest of all workers and customers it is bound to fail sooner than later.    

The reasons 

There are different reasons for people behaving in a way that give way to racism and the most common of the reasons as I feel comes the way a person is raised or his state promotes the rules. If a person keeps hatred words right from the childhood about a particular race, tribe, caste or state there is no way you can change him overnight. I suggest be patient with such people but keep telling them to change for good. 

The best way to improve the atmosphere of a workplace is to constantly work toward it and organize cultural activities involving everyone so each of them knows others better and learns to live with others. Once people live with each other they will see the positive side of others that perhaps will help them sort their differences out.

How they achieve it?   

There are companies that employee people from different countries and states for their expertise in a certain field and to keep them together and take their best they conduct certain courses to keep them together. These cultural awareness programs help their employees understand each other well. 

Actually we all believe in old rules that we have the same rules in all cultures but the fact is what we may find respectable may not be sign of respect for others or even that could be entirely different for others. There is an old saying, ‘treat others as you wish to be treated by others’ but that may not be right in all cases. Some of them would not like your traditions so it’s better to treat them as they like to be treated. 

Let me ask you a few simple questions-

1. How do you feel while treat others according to your own traditions, did you ever try to know about people you work with?

2. Have you ever provided a positive feedback to a person that has come from far off place?

3. As a manager have you ever taken a corrective measure especially if the offender is from your own area?

4. Do you have same faith in all of your subordinates irrespective of their origin?

5. Finally, are you really aware a problem of racism, caste and language exists in your department?

Conclusion 

Cultural diversities, sensitivities or feeling of sympathy with victims of cultural differences is a topic that needs a deep cultural study in itself. To make a proper coordination in between different cultures and communicate properly is a task that takes lots of expertise to understand it fully. One should try to learnt the finer points to know about the rituals and practices of different cultures to understand it in a better way. And to learn these all there is no better way but to sit together and talk with others in a company where people from different cultures gather to understand each other. 

Photo source

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_diversity#mediaviewer/File:Chinatown_Sydney.jpg