Is Intercultural Training Just About Metrics?

It’s always interesting to look at statistics and evaluate the impact that intercultural training has on the workplace. It is undoubtedly positive. Greater cultural competence enables cohesion between team members and creates a more inclusive and understanding environment, with overall happier, more successful employees.

Buy why is this? Rather than just focusing on growth and productivity, it’s also helpful to consider the wider benefits of intercultural understanding and the ways in which it impacts the way we see ourselves in relation to others.

Human interaction is an important aspect of our wellbeing, and perhaps by examining our own approaches to the world, we can gain greater clarity about how we can interact with others.  As Hofstede states, “we are all human, but we are not all the same. Understanding others begins with understanding ourselves.”

With this in mind, a process of introspective thought can engage us more closely with the fundamental idea that we are shaped within a specific socio- cultural and linguistic context. And in fact, so is everyone else.

Once we come to terms with this, we can also begin to understand that when we take a position of cultural competence, we are able to recognize the potential for deeper connection, and as the metrics show, actually make these connections.

Rather than ‘tolerating’, we begin to focus on approaches which come from a sense of real curiosity. A culturally competent mindset which supports greater exploration and appreciation of difference.

Through this, we may find ourselves growing and adapting to a fuller, more equal and truly inclusive environment, beyond the workplace.