The Future Of Work Is Multicultural
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These are unprecedented times. The Future of Work is undergoing a sizable shift. Over the last few years, our daily work lives have changed in significant ways - from a dramatic increase in remote working to virtual-first companies and ever-evolving technology. And tomorrow’s landscape will require businesses and organizations to be even more multicultural.
In order to adapt to these changes, companies and employees must understand the driving factors behind this transformation in the workforce and be prepared to face new opportunities and challenges. Either we know how to employ the skills we have, or we need to fill in the gap.
My work with my clients focuses on identifying the strengths and EQ skills they need to know - many which they already have - and how to use these skills to navigate the complexities of the Future of Work.
To help one have an even clearer understanding of what is necessary to succeed in a multicultural work environment, I sat down with Loren Rosario-Maldonado, HR senior executive and member of Forbes HR Council and Hacking HR, to gather her feedback on this topic.
Before we began our conversation, Loren very graciously shared what prompted her curiosity to understand more about this subject, noting “a few years ago, I began a journey of self-discovery that clarified my cultural identity. This journey helped me understand my own culture from a multidimensional perspective that impacted how I interact with people from other cultures. Incorporating multicultural social and emotional intelligence concepts into my leadership practice enhanced my ability to lead across cultures.”
What are the necessary skills to have to succeed in a multicultural work environment?
Skills for multicultural interpersonal relationships include emotional and social intelligence skills such as self-awareness, self-management, relationship skills and social awareness, and responsible decision-making. Competencies such as listening, empathy, integral communication, compassion, and collaboration are essential. These skills represent the ability to validate other’s views while preserving our own.
Why are these skills so essential?
Emotional and social intelligence is an important skill to have when working with multicultural teams, especially during cross-cultural communication challenges. Business results demand effective collaboration across teams, and emotional intelligence skills foster interpersonal relationship quality while enhancing diversity of thought.
How can one develop these skills?
Approach your multicultural emotional intelligence like a scientist:
Understand your own culture and its history. Learn about any socio-cultural biases that exist within your own culture.
Learn about other cultures.
Seek to understand the history behind other cultures and the root of the cultural nuances that exist.
Integrate the knowledge into everyday practice.
Seek continuous feedback from those who come from diverse cultures.
What is preventing one from growing these skills?
Most often, people are not aware that they lack these skills. It takes great courage to acknowledge hidden biases and starts with the choice to become aware and accept that they exist.
How can organizations prepare for this shift?
Organizations can prepare by increasing the focus on soft skill building across all areas. Multicultural sensitivity training is essential, particularly in the area of cross-cultural communication and management.
How will the work culture change as a result?
Providing employees with the tools to enhance social intelligence facilitates salient relationships that lead to improved motivation, collaboration and engagement. Focusing on developing multicultural social and emotional intelligence will also increase appreciation for diversity of thought garnering successful business results.
We are all working to develop these skills, myself included, in order to immerse ourselves more fully in a multicultural work environment. This is part of the process of being vulnerable. We must begin with a beginner’s mind and be open to discovering what lies beneath.
In reviewing Loren’s feedback, I recognize that some skills come more naturally to me than others. This is part of the work that I need to do - the work we all need to do. We commit ourselves to continuing to uncover new layers, explore new territories, identify biases and get curious about one another, so that we can all lead more effectively.
I invite you to share your experience with me. What skills do you feel the need to hone in on and fortify? What strengths seem to come naturally to you in a multicultural setting?
Drop me a note, I’d love to hear more about your experiences.
To Your Success,
Coaching Practices
Take Action and Put it into Practice
To practice cultivating curiosity over judgment, start by asking yourself a few questions in order to look at things more objectively.
Reflect on the situation - what were the events that led to the final outcome?
What was my role in this situation? Where can I acknowledge my responsibility?
Has this happened before? Do I notice a pattern in this situation?
What can I take away from this in order to be less judgmental in the future?