The
idea of saving face is the concept of preserving your reputation or
your self image. Although in North American culture and other low
context cultures we are generally not as worried about 'face', in other
cultures saving face is very important. In high context cultures, people
try to 'save face' by being indirect and not wanting to say 'no'. These
cultures do this to spare someone from taking offense to their
decision, to protect the feelings of others. In the modern Canadian
workplace we must be able recognize when someone from another culture is
saving face so that we can avoid misunderstandings.
Click here for
a video explaining how high context cultures (the Chinese culture in this case) avoid saying no to save
face. The main rule to follow when dealing with high context cultures:
anything other then yes means no.
Is saving face a good or a bad thing for business in general?
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Tolerance
What is tolerance?
Everyone has a different definition of tolerance. To me, tolerance is accepting people the way they are. It is acknowledging the differences between cultures and accepting them. Tolerance is an essential piece of the puzzle that is improving intercultural proficiency.
A good way to enhance tolerance is by practicing empathy. Empathy can help us be less judgmental, it can help us see things the way others see them. Empathy can also help us find some common ground. Tolerance is an attitude that will result in a more accepting and effective workplace. We need to remain open minded and strive to learn tolerance to help bridge the gaps between cultures. Tolerance is essential to creating a positive work environment.
Do you think it would be possible for a closed-minded individual to successfully work in a company dealing with different cultures?
How effective would this individual be in the bigger picture?
Steps to Achieving Intercultural Proficiency
Achieving intercultural proficiency doesn't just happen overnight. We must first become aware of our own culture and how it differs from other cultures. We must then be able to identify barriers to intercultural accommodation. Lastly, we must strive to conquer these barriers. It could take a considerable effort to overcome some cultural barriers that are more natural to us.
Becoming aware of other cultures and how they differ from our own culture is essential.
Ethnocentrism is the belief that your race or culture is superior to other races or cultures. Ethnocentrism is an attitude that comes to us naturally, and is an attitude that every culture has. Depending on where you were raised you have notions of right and wrong. It can be as simple as a handshake, which is seen as the 'right' way to greet someone in North America. Just because it's the 'right' way to greet North Americans, doesn't mean it's the proper way to greet someone from another country. In order to improve intercultural proficiency we must learn not to judge people by our own values.
Here's Tracy Goodwin on the the first step to overcoming ethnocentrism, becoming aware of the differences between our culture and other cultures.
Becoming aware of other cultures and how they differ from our own culture is essential.
Ethnocentrism is the belief that your race or culture is superior to other races or cultures. Ethnocentrism is an attitude that comes to us naturally, and is an attitude that every culture has. Depending on where you were raised you have notions of right and wrong. It can be as simple as a handshake, which is seen as the 'right' way to greet someone in North America. Just because it's the 'right' way to greet North Americans, doesn't mean it's the proper way to greet someone from another country. In order to improve intercultural proficiency we must learn not to judge people by our own values.
Here's Tracy Goodwin on the the first step to overcoming ethnocentrism, becoming aware of the differences between our culture and other cultures.
Improving Intercultural Proficiency
Multiculturalism is a huge part of Canadian society today. We have such a diverse makeup of people living and working amongst us in Canada. In the workplace we need to be able to create an environment that suits everyone. With so many different cultures it can be a challenge to create this type of environment, but if companies can achieve this then they will be significantly more productive and efficient.
Right now you might be thinking that improving intercultural proficiency isn't your problem. Well think again, because if it isn't your problem right now, chances are it will be in the future. If you want to be successful in the business world, you will need to learn how to adapt depending on who you work with or who you work for. To flourish in the modern business workplace you must learn to be interculturally competent. If you can do this then not only will your work life be more satisfying and productive, but your personal life will be too.
Right now you might be thinking that improving intercultural proficiency isn't your problem. Well think again, because if it isn't your problem right now, chances are it will be in the future. If you want to be successful in the business world, you will need to learn how to adapt depending on who you work with or who you work for. To flourish in the modern business workplace you must learn to be interculturally competent. If you can do this then not only will your work life be more satisfying and productive, but your personal life will be too.
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