The Power of Intercultural Competence

In the contemporary globalized context, intercultural competence has emerged as an indispensable advantage within the professional realm. This is especially pertinent for those starting their careers in consultancy teams. These teams frequently grapple with intricate challenges and are responsible for fostering innovation for a wide array of international clients. Thriving in this ever-evolving field necessitates a profound grasp of intercultural proficiency and its pivotal contribution to achieving success and long-term viability. In this piece, we will delve into how intercultural competence can substantially boost your career.

?What is Intercultural Competence

Intercultural competence is the ability to effectively interact with people from different cultures, involving understanding, knowledge, skills, sensitivity, and adaptability related to cultural differences. It involves a deep understanding of one's own culture, as well as an appreciation and respect for the values, beliefs, customs, and behaviors of individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

?Intercultural and Multicultural: why this difference matters

Understanding the connection and the difference between these words is important because they reflect two different visions of society. Multicultural refers to a society that contains several cultural or ethnic groups. People live alongside one another, but each cultural group does not necessarily have engaging interactions with each other. As you can read, “multicultural” is mostly defined by the juxtaposition and coexistence of multiple cultures. It is not necessarily a positive element because it might mean that there is no communication or interaction between these cultures. Rather it can describe segregation and even alienation. Now, we can say that Intercultural?describes communities in which there is a deep understanding and respect for all cultures. Intercultural communication focuses on the mutual exchange of ideas and cultural norms and the development of deep relationships. In an intercultural society, no one is left unchanged because everyone learns from one another and grows together.

?Why is Intercultural Competence Important in Now, Next and Beyond

Professionals working in consulting, international business, diplomacy, education, healthcare, customer experience and many other fields benefit from developing intercultural competence to navigate the complexities of a globalized world. Additionally, individuals interested in building meaningful relationships with people from different backgrounds can use intercultural competence to bridge cultural gaps and promote understanding.

Innovation often thrives in diverse environments where individuals bring unique perspectives to the table. Intercultural competence fosters an atmosphere of inclusion and openness, encouraging team members to express diverse ideas and viewpoints. This diversity of thought can lead to innovative solutions that may not have emerged in a more homogenous team. Those who embrace intercultural competence will be better poised to contribute creatively to their teams and push the boundaries of business design.

Effective communication is the backbone of any successful consultant team. Intercultural competence includes the ability to communicate seamlessly across cultural boundaries, whether through verbal or non-verbal means. Those who are adept at navigating cross-cultural communication challenges can bridge gaps, minimize misunderstandings, and ensure that project objectives are clearly articulated and understood by all stakeholders.

The business landscape is constantly evolving, and the ability to adapt to new environments and circumstances is crucial. Cross-cultural effectiveness equips us with the adaptability needed to thrive in a globalized economy. Professionals open to learning from diverse perspectives and are willing to adjust their strategies and approaches as needed will find it easier to navigate the ever-changing business landscape.

We are often tasked with solving complex problems, and intercultural competence can be a powerful tool in this regard. Different cultures approach problem-solving in unique ways, and understanding these varied approaches can lead to more comprehensive and effective solutions. Newcomers who possess this competence are better equipped to analyze problems from multiple angles and develop holistic solutions that address the needs of diverse stakeholders.

In today's interconnected world, having a global perspective is a valuable asset. Intercultural competence allows professionals to see beyond their immediate surroundings and consider the broader global context of their work. This perspective is essential for consultant companies that operate on a global scale, as it helps teams make informed decisions and adapt their strategies to suit different markets and regions.

Here's my experience as to how EY BD is helping our team develop these skills:

EY Business Design serves a wide array of clients spanning various industries and regions. To cater effectively to this diverse clientele, we must be equipped with a plural team. Based on this understanding, the EY BD team hires a range of professionals who have diverse cultural backgrounds, ideas, values and beliefs. Internally we are encouraged to learn about other cultures: taking the time to learn about the team history, values, customs, and traditions. We have dedicated forums to share individual experiences through ‘coffee connection’ sessions, a moment to express what is relevant to us, and having the opportunity to gain a deep and genuine understanding of our colleagues and their stories. We are also invited to develop empathy: ‘Get to Know Me' is an initiative that creates a safe space to promote the personal and professional journey of our team members, during these opportunities we are invited to try understanding the world from the perspective of people from other cultures. Put ourselves in their shoes and imagine how they might feel in various situations. During the periodically area meetings, we discuss business and opportunities in the same way that we understand our team members' trajectories, raising our cultural knowledge, broadening our worldview, our vision of being and belonging. In the EY BD we are also encouraged to be part of forums that celebrate cultural difference in a deeper and more structured way, such as EY International, where we have the chance to exchange experiences with more than 90 different nationalities throughout EY Ireland and Belfast, a unique opportunity to expose ourselves to the new and transform our human relationships in a way that we have never done before. In these forums we are asked to create self-awareness, examining our own cultural biases, values, and beliefs. Understand how our culture has shaped our perspective on the world.

So What?

We can say that this competence is not just a desirable trait; The ability to understand, appreciate, and navigate cultural diversity is instrumental in building strong client relationships, fostering creativity and innovation, facilitating effective communication, and enhancing problem-solving capabilities. As the business world continues to evolve and globalize, intercultural competence will remain a critical skill for success. People who invest in developing this competence will find themselves better equipped to excel in their professional journey and contribute to the long-term success and sustainability of their organizations. However, this is a long, constant, and dynamic journey, which is travelled through individual motivation and collective commitment. We hope you have the motivation to take the first step and the courage to continue along the path.

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The views reflected in this article are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the global EY organization or its member firms.