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Book Carole "Excellent workshop from Carole Spiers and vital for those who want their organisations to become less stressful and practice Healthy workplace culture".
Ministry of Health, Malaysia
Motivational Speaker Carole Spiers
compares different cultural reactions to new staff
Based in multicultural London, I am well-positioned to comment on the two opposite reactions that may greet new employees from another country or culture.
One is the defensive attitude, viewing the change as a problem. Ideally, this type of attitude needs to be managed effectively by introducing the subject of 'cultural diversity' with a short training programme designed primarily to explain cultural differences before they may become the reason for conflict.
The other is the developmental attitude, which appreciates the invigorating effects of new blood, the strength and suppleness of a diverse team. It notices how different styles of problem-solving tend to enrich the managerial mix. Yet it does not view the individuals as representing their own culture, but just representing themselves, as you or I do.
Work out your own cultural diversity policy
In most companies, the defensive attitude gradually gives way to the developmental. But sometimes the cultural difference becomes a flashpoint for bitter disagreement, with organisations having to apply official diversity policies. To some of us, this reflects the failure of corporate business to take the necessary lead. It may look like a quicker way of enforcing good habits, but it will strengthen resistance among the sceptics, who may feel that they are not just being told what to do, but what to believe.
The way to encourage the developmental attitude is to demonstrate it in action - by observing and documenting the advantages of a multicultural staffed business, compared with a monocultural one, and confirming the benefits in improved performance, when hopefully they will come to their own conclusions about the advantage of multicultural teams. Most will agree, upon reflection, that cultural diversity is something to be warmly welcomed.
Multicultural teams - Summary
- New work colleagues from a different culture are sometimes viewed with suspicion
- In time, the greater strength of multicultural teams will begin to appear
- Corporate diversity policies are more effective than government ones
Another key insight from Carole Spiers, International Leading Authority on Corporate Stress,
Motivational Speaker and BBC Broadcaster.
