How can you be more inclusive of colleagues from different cultures?

Here are my top ten keys to being inclusive in a culturally diverse workplace: 1. Be curious 2. Challenge stereotypes 3. Observe, don't judge 4. Empathize 5. Switch codes 6. Neither over- or underestimate the role of culture 7. Be mindful 8. Celebrate difference 9. Bridge cultures 10. Never stop learning For more detail see my book 'Bridge the Culture Gaps - a toolkit for effective collaboration in the diverse, global workplace' Nicholas Brealey/Hachette, 2021.

One caveat I’d make is not to get hang up on generalising based off on (national) cultures - at the risk of stereotyping and ‘othering’ instead of promoting inclusion. Knowledge of intercultural differences is certainly helpful as a way to develop self-awareness, rather than predictor of someone else’s behaviour. I prefer to see culture as a repertoire of ideas, behaviours and symbols that it's members can (but don’t have to) apply in daily life. A simple ‘how to’ related to working with people from a certain cultural background can be harmful. National culture is only one of many intersecting elements that form our identity as at the same time we belong to many different groups with their specific ‘cultures’ ei regional, industry, etc

Self-awareness is the starting point. In order to deepen your understanding of others, you need to start with yourself and the complexity of your identity. What are all the different parts of your identity, in what situations do they show up most strongly or not, who are you in different environments? Be curious about yourself and build the skill to be curious about others. Your self-awareness will facilitate being inclusive of others.

Let's demolish the echo chambers. To do this, we need to be proactive but also passive: educate ourselves (proactively) to unveil our preconceived views and subconscious biases (and it's not just about enhancing intercultural intelligence - that's certainly a first step - but also being mindful that each person is shaped by a hotpot of beliefs, experiences, culture..). Then, listen. Reflect. Act. Establish new behavioural patterns to ensure that diversity ultimately attracts diversity and stays. Building an equal playing field for all will help each and everyone person feel like they belong.

Workplace is becoming more international with colleagues from diverse backgrounds - ethnicities, cultures etc. Its very important to show them as a manager or team member you care. I would suggest following points to welcome employees in a foreign country: ?? Speak in an international language which is understandable for everyone. ?? Provide diversity training to understand the local culture, basic language and grooming standards of the organization. ?? Create safe working environment for your employees. ?? Celebrate National festivities of your team to make them feel at home. ?? Involve them in decision making process. ?? Feel them valued by including them in different activities. ?? Be open to employees' feedback.

One day, I encountered a new challenge when a talented team member, joined our department. He had a brilliant mind and a strong work ethic, but he felt somewhat like a fish out of water. Hailing from a culture very different from the predominant one in the company, he was initially hesitant to share his ideas and felt isolated. Recognizing his potential, I initiated cultural awareness programs and made sure to educate the team about the richness of diverse perspectives. I encouraged open dialogue and set up mentorship opportunities for him, connecting him with a colleague who had a similar cultural background. Cultural celebrations became a regular occurrence in the office, and he felt appreciated and heard.

These comments are an important heads up for everyone, but it's a must for leaders. The leadership title can cause fear and force the team members to be uncomfortable if you are not mindful of the cultural differences. At this stage, it's the manager's responsibility to adapt. As the relationship evolves, some barriers will drop and more freely conversations will happen This

Invite different perspectives and approaches. Ask people to draw on their background and experience to illuminate blind spots. Encourage people to think about what they add rather than how to fit in to the culture

Celebrating inclusivity at work is crucial for fostering innovation. First, embrace cultural learning: learn about colleagues' cultures through simple gestures like inquiring about traditions. Second, acknowledge and amplify achievements in both one-on-one and group settings. For example, I bridged a cultural gap with an IT colleague by learning about their traditions. By recognizing their skills and background, we created a more inclusive workplace. #InclusiveWorkplace

With remarkable talent and a strong work ethic, a team member brought a unique perspective to the table. Yet, he found himself grappling with a sense of alienation. His cultural background was distinct from the predominant one in the company, making it challenging for him to express his ideas and fit in. We recognized the potential in him and was determined to ensure he felt like an integral part of the team. Besides the cultural awareness program , I encouraged everyone to share their experiences and learn from one another. This initiative created a space where diverse perspectives were celebrated, allowing a sense of understanding to blossom.

Encouraging feedforward rather than feedback is a powerful shift in our approach to personal and professional growth. While feedback often dwells on past actions, feedforward focuses on the future and helps individuals develop actionable strategies for improvement. To foster a culture of feedforward, we need to start by creating a safe and open environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their goals and aspirations. Encourage forward-looking conversations by asking questions like, "What are your future goals, and how can we help you achieve them?" Emphasizing the positive impact of feedforward. It has to be a regular part of our interactions, incorporating it into performance reviews, team meetings, and daily communication.

I genuinely encourage those who feel marginalized or out of sync with others/the local culture to voice their feelings & educate others about their backgrounds and experiences. Instead of immediately attributing differences to discrimination, it's essential to understand that most people don't intentionally exclude others. As someone who worked across various European countries & had assignments from the US to India &Indonesia, I've felt the sting of exclusion & misunderstandings. However, I chose to immerse myself in local cultures & share insights about my own background. You can waste your life proving you've had it harder than anybody else &you'll keep yourself very busy. Will it help you feel connected, accomplished & fulfilled?

Adopting an open and curious mindset is crucial. It is natural to feel resistance to what is different, however by remaining open and curious to learn about differences, we can expand the zone in which we comfortable operate.

Leaders should take notes and remember important aspects of their teams. The way to break any wall is by starting to share yourself.

Embracing differences and fostering a culture of feedforward is the cornerstone of personal and professional growth. Recognizing the value of diverse perspectives and experiences, teams can tap into an unparalleled wealth of creativity and problem-solving. Moreover, shifting the focus from past mistakes to future potential through feedforward empowers individuals to set ambitious goals and work collaboratively to achieve them. By creating an environment that values uniqueness and encourages forward-thinking, organizations can not only unlock individual potential but also drive continuous improvement and success collectively.

When contributing to a conversation use lines like “in my opinion” or “based on what I have read and learned” or “according to my experience”. Don’t dismiss or dispel contributions from other people. This is important and regardless of whether you agree, it helps keep the conversation open to all. If you feel that an opinion is so different from yours then try using the terms like, ‘That’s a different perspective’ or ‘I see your point of view’ or ‘I never thought of it that way’. This again keeps the conversation inclusive. Always makes sure that there is time for questions and replies.