The business world is more globally connected than ever before. These connections can open new doors and foster growth. But they can also lead to potential conflict when encountering cultural differences.
Developing cultural sensitivity is a way to build bridges and foster respect. Companies can choose to view these points as times to learn. Reframing these points will also help forge stronger connections.
Cultural sensitivity training has never been more urgent than in the current global context. Let’s take a closer look.
What Is Cultural Sensitivity in Communication?
Cultural sensitivity is the awareness, respect, and inclusion of other cultures and identities. A sound approach notes and includes different cultures in two key ways. Policies should consist of tools at the employee level in the company and as part of the company’s mission.
Why Do We Need Cultural Sensitivity in International Business
Effective cultural sensitivity policies target how workers interact within the company. These policies also guide professional relationships between companies based in different places. When companies embrace these policies, they can reduce conflicts. Communication challenges will occur. But cultural sensitivity can help employees explore appropriate methods for solving those challenges.
Communication challenges in the workplace often result from language barriers and diverse perspectives. A business that finds ways to tackle these barriers will see an increase in the flow of ideas. Enhanced teamwork is another benefit.
How Do You Improve Cultural Sensitivity?
The basis of a sound cultural sensitivity policy is to recognize the need for the policy. But seeing a need is only a start. Companies must also understand that cultural sensitivity:
- Is an ongoing, evolving process
- May need regular training and updates for new and existing employees
- Works best when leaders actively promote the policies
- Flourishes when employees feel safe and valued
- Includes and listens to diverse ideas and approaches for tasks and projects
- Recognizes holidays and culturally significant times for its employees and partners
Cultural Sensitivity Training
Many companies offer training materials and courses on cultural sensitivity. Training is the first step in ensuring that everyone respects their colleagues’ cultural differences. These courses also help people from different backgrounds to communicate well with one another. Managers can schedule workshops and training events to help employees gain and retain skills.
Why Should Managers Become Culturally Sensitive?
Leaders and managers are the support structure for culturally sensitive practices. When managers foster these policies, they can:
Create a Safe and Inclusive Work Environment
Active listening is crucial. Valuing diverse voices and ideas can remove the fear of communication. Workers who are less afraid create more productive working relationships. Leaders can also take part in retraining new and existing employees as needed.
Minimize Bias
Creating fair workplace policies isn’t enough. Managers are vital in implementing these policies and emphasizing transparency and fairness.
Enrich the Talent Pool
Cultural sensitivity must be an end-to-end process that starts in the talent pool. All management, not just HR managers, can seek diversity and inclusion in the talent pool. They are also key to providing support through the onboarding process and beyond.
Inspire Innovation and Creativity
There can be differences between what one says and what another hears. When management checks in, creative voices can shine. Clarifying questions is a helpful tool. Managers can also hold space for people to express views and ideas.
What Are the Benefits of Cultural Sensitivity in Business?
There are clear benefits when companies build cultural sensitivity into their corporate goals. These benefits can translate to:
- Competitive advantage. Integrated and complex global systems can greatly increase competition. Bringing in and supporting diversity can help a company build more authentic networks.
- Adaptive solutions. Strong policies give leaders and employees key tools. These tools help them to adapt and solve problems at the moment.
- Improved creativity and productivity. Employees who feel respected and valued have high morale, making them productive. They also have higher rates of job satisfaction and are less likely to look for jobs elsewhere.
- Greater collaboration and teamwork. Respect between teammates and colleagues is vital. They are more likely to achieve solutions together.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction. Inclusive and culturally sensitive workplace policies can lead to improved customer satisfaction. Inadequate cultural sensitivity can alienate valued customers and business partners.
Embrace Cultural Sensitivity for Global Success
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies are on the rise as teams composed of culturally different people have become the new ordinary. And many companies are taking steps to create or improve DEI. But there is still room for growth.
Cultural sensitivity is no longer just “the right thing to do.” Embracing it can mean the difference between making or breaking a business. When a company practices cultural sensitivity, there are many benefits. Individual employees feel valued and free to express their voices in the workplace, leading to a better work experience and higher productivity. Organizations then make more successful connections and can achieve lasting growth.
Sources:
https://www.nyc.gov/assets/ochia/downloads/pdf/cultural_sensitivity_wkshp.pdf
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2516602619826712
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/importance-of-cultural-sensitivity
https://hbr.org/sponsored/2021/06/effective-global-leaders-need-to-be-culturally-competent