2016 - thinking intelligently about culture
The start of every New Year is accompanied by a plethora of hopes, promises, expectations and predictions. As we look back on the turbulence which defined 2015, please allow me to add one of my own.
May 2016 be a year where we truly both accept and understand that despite the outward trappings of globalisation, we are, as a world, not culturally global. Our differences define and shape us and they also enrich us. There is a skill in navigating successfully those differences between peoples and nations.
That skill is called Cultural Intelligence. It includes a willingness to be open to other cultures and to spend time and effort in exploring differences, an understanding of how our own culture is perceived by others, and a desire to rethink and adapt behaviour without losing our own cultural identity. It also requires what I would call "the awareness of the inherent subjectivity of what is necessarily right".
In my TEDx talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUYNB4a8d2U which many of you have seen I stated that culturally we are not global and concluded by saying that we each need to remember that OUR village does THE world.
My call to arms for 2016 is that the world needs greater cultural intelligence and that its teaching should become a priority item for us all and in particular for politicians and leaders across the globe.
Cultural Intelligence is the enemy of fear, ignorance and bigotry and is the ally of tolerance and understanding. If we can't be hopeful dreamers at the beginning of a new year then when can we ?
See TEDx on Youtube @peter alfandary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUYNB4a8d2U
Art Educator/Educational & EDI Consultant and Researcher
7 年Thank you for your inspiring speech. With your words, I know i am on the right path. This is priceless.
Retired Assistant Vice President, Marketing
8 年You speak from the pages of an age-old philosophy that remains timeless and timely. Thank you.
Senior Partner at Babic & Partners
9 年Thank you and brilliant Peter! I learned so much from you and was proud that we shared the panel in Vienna on the IBA Annual last year.
Senior Lecturer in Organisation Studies, Coaching and Mentoring, Talent Management; Executive Leadership Cross-Cultural Certified Coach.
9 年Thank you Peter for sharing your hopes for 2016! Cultural intelligence as been identified as the one trait that is the most needed in graduates and future leaders by CEOs. I hope that business schools and higher education institutions will support and equip our future leaders to become culturally intelligent and not only international travellers. Promoting a deep learning of cultural encounters as opposed to surface learning is my goal for 2016.
Managing Principal, Impresa Legal Group (Supporting the government contracts and international development communities since 1990)
9 年Insightful as always Peter. You are right, we have multiple cultures in our multi-cultural world. All the best to you in 2016!