In view of World Cultural
Diversity this week, i would like to reflect on cultural competencies and how
to blend & work well with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds.
When i first
started out with HSBC, i was involved in their Climate Champion Programme where
peers & colleagues around the world are co-located in Hangzhao, China for
2-3 weeks and it took lesser than a couple of days for all of us to gel.
I was also tasked
to migrate + remigrate processes from the UK to Malaysia & India having 2-3
month stints abroad the UK & India.
Communication is key to
blending in. Small talks such as where did
we grow up, where were we schooled, whats our favourite delicacies back home, (Hyderabad Briyani & Tea still tops my list of good food
in India) which football team do we support etc work wonders. (especially if you’re an English Premier League fan in the UK)
My working tenure
with Hong Leong Bank & RHB Banking Group brought me shorter but insightful
stints to Vietnam (Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh) & Singapore, 2 interesting
countries with different set of interesting customer behaviours that you will
find. The ability to adapt to
different people is important here.
With the few
cultures that I have been exposed throughout my working tenure, the one common
thing that i have learned and will take away from, is that abide the
differences in culture, if the desire to
meet the objective & common goals are shared, the journey towards
achievements felt faster & success even greater.
Cultural competence, in brief, is the ability to interact
effectively with people from different cultures. This ability depends
on awareness of one’s own cultural worldview, knowledge
of other cultural practices and worldviews, tolerant attitudes towards
cultural differences, and cross-cultural skills.
(https://www.diversityresources.com/cultural-diversity-workplace)
Hence, the
importance of cultural competency which is essential to avoid problems that can
range from miscommunication to actual conflict, all endangering effective
productivity and deliverables in our workplace.Outside of the Workplace
Me, being a ‘rojak’
and fortunate to have embraced the many cultures within my family, will also do
my best to ensure that my little girl enjoys as many festivities as part of her
mixed culture not forgetting all the good food it comes with as well
(ditanggung halal 😅)
It will also be my
duty as her ‘Papa’ to let her experience the many different countries, beliefs,
cultures & people from a young age.
Well, like they always say, we will savour not only the destination BUT also the Journey..
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