WORKSHOP ATTENDEES RECEIVE TIMELY TRAINING IN CULTURAL AWARENESS

By Katie Kelly, DLE Social Media Intern, Communications and Culture major with a concentration in Media and a dual minor in Sports Journalism and Digital Technologies and Emerging Media at Fordham University, New York, NY

Through the expert coaching of Cultural Intelligence expert Kelly Pinar Goodwin, attendees at the latest DLE Ownership Workshop gained new awareness about relating to anyone different from themselves.

Kelly, who consults internationally through her Culture Savv business in Turkey, had attendees compare their individual definitions of culture with this formal guidepost:  “Culture is a shared pattern of beliefs, values, assumptions and behaviors that distinguish one group from another–essentially it is ‘the way we do things here.’”

At the informative and dynamic workshop, Kelly put a spotlight on inclusiveness and relationship building–assets necessary in any position and industry. “Culture varies dramatically on several different levels. These differences often create communication challenges,” shared Kelly. “Growing your cultural awareness can help you learn how to better understand and appreciate differences and strategize how to relate effectively with others by cultivating your cultural awareness.”

“Lenses” were actively explored during the training. “Everything we see we interpret through our cultural background,” explained Kelly. “No matter how well-intentioned you are, your intentions are still interpreted differently and through a cultural lens.”

There are four capabilities for Cultural Intelligence (also known as “CQ”): CQ Drive, CQ Knowledge, CQ Strategy and CQ Action. Kelly focused on educating workshop attendees on CQ Knowledge through the example of navigating Cooperative vs Competitive Cultures. “Within an organization there are different cultures carved from how different people approach group work. Some are more competitive and do not like to collaborate with others, while others are more collaborative and work well in groups. Collaborative people like achieving a task as a whole and not as an individual,” she outlined.

Kelly provided three tips for strengthening Cultural Intelligence:

1. Say “That doesn’t make sense to me.” Become better aware of your own cultural awareness by expressing to others that what you are hearing doesn’t make sense to you, rather than simply saying “that doesn’t make sense.”
2. Tap into your motivation. Evaluate what your personal and professional goals are so you are armed with the drive to learn about cultural intelligence to better yourself in all settings.
3. Take stock of your cultural lenses. People in the workplace may be different from you; check in on yourself to make sure you are aware of how and why you may be interpreting something the way you are.

The recording of Dial Up Your Cultural Awareness in 60 Minutes with Kelly Pinar Goodwin is available to workshop attendees only on the DLE YouTube Channel. Access to this professional development resource is a bonus dividend for attending a DLE Ownership Workshop.