Some of the things we can do to make a difference...
A Personal Action Plan: Below are some of the steps we can personally reflect upon and be intentional about in the workplace:
1. I know where I’m starting from. I know I am already good at these things, and I can do them more often:
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2. I can learn this, I am learning this, and I am doing what I can at this stage as well. I have already learned:
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I will start with small steps, especially in areas that are difficult for me. My short– term goals for improvement are:
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.I promise to congratulate and reward myself every time I do something, no matter how small, to maintain and improve my skills. My rewards will be:
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I’m setting myself up for success by choosing long-range goals to work for gradually. My long-term goals for success are as follows:
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Reflection points: here are some of the things we can do to create a better work place environment:
Treat each employee as an individual. Just as people who identify with a religion do not necessarily follow all of its practices, a person who is a member of a culture with traditional behaviors may not adhere to all its beliefs. Take employees aside to ask about their personal preferences and how they will affect their work life, and act accordingly.
Introduce employees to the cultural traditions of their colleagues. Hold a staff dinner around the holidays and ask people to talk about the traditions or bring food from their families, religions and home countries. Maintain an informal, social vibe about the event that will help employees lower their defenses, and make a point to show interest in each story or try each food. Allowing employees to see cultural traditions firsthand can be a powerful way to create connections and demystify an unfamiliar world.
Address obvious issues openly. If you are entering a situation where a new employee or client will demonstrate obvious cultural markers that will be disturbing or cause questions, bring it up in advance. Talk about dress habits, proper greetings, how to show respect, and what business traditions the person will have. Even though your staff will not need to follow all of the new individual's rules, being aware of them can create a more sensitive atmosphere.
Educate employees about the habits and practices of other cultures. Do not single out the cultures of the minority employees in your office, as it can create animosity and uncomfortable attention. Instead, frame the program as a series of lessons on doing business with people from other world communities. In doing so, you can expose employees to an educational session and better prepare them to understand diversity.
Encourage open discussion about assumptions and preconceived notions. When your company has an employee or client who comes from a markedly different culture, hold an open forum for the company. Set ground rules that mandate civility and respect, and let employees discuss their concerns and questions. By creating a nonjudgmental atmosphere, you can help expose misconceptions and let employees on both sides of the table voice their concerns.
Read more: How to Promote Cultural Sensitivity in the Workplace | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7662767_promote-cultural-sensitivity-workplace.html#ixzz2RNpORHHZ
Read more: How to Promote Cultural Sensitivity in the Workplace | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7662767_promote-cultural-sensitivity-workplace.html#ixzz2RMoghNUJ
1. I know where I’m starting from. I know I am already good at these things, and I can do them more often:
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
2. I can learn this, I am learning this, and I am doing what I can at this stage as well. I have already learned:
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
I will start with small steps, especially in areas that are difficult for me. My short– term goals for improvement are:
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
.I promise to congratulate and reward myself every time I do something, no matter how small, to maintain and improve my skills. My rewards will be:
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
I’m setting myself up for success by choosing long-range goals to work for gradually. My long-term goals for success are as follows:
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Reflection points: here are some of the things we can do to create a better work place environment:
Read more: How to Promote Cultural Sensitivity in the Workplace | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7662767_promote-cultural-sensitivity-workplace.html#ixzz2RNpORHHZ
Read more: How to Promote Cultural Sensitivity in the Workplace | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7662767_promote-cultural-sensitivity-workplace.html#ixzz2RMoghNUJ