A Story About Diversity
Learning from diversity makes us view the world in a good way
It’s always interesting for me to observe how people behave and think because I believe everyone has something unique in them and it’s beautiful. It’s not always easy dealing with people who don’t have the same personality as us or who have a very different point of view toward something compare to us. But I think, this is the most interesting part; how to deal with this kind of thing but still stay true to ourselves.
I have experienced traveling alone to a country which has a very different communication style compare to Asian culture. It’s shocking for me at first, but I survived the situation by trying to adapt to the new environment. I try not to take it too personally, because it’s just the way they communicate, saying directly what they mean.
I’ve been learning a foreign language too, which has very different grammar rules compare to my mother tongue. I learn German and it was hard for me at first to learn this new language. But as I continue learning, I can start to see the pattern on how to make and speak correct sentences. After a few years of learning the language, I start to get used to it.
How to deal with differences?
Some people may ask. In a fundamental communication course, one thing that the trainer said, the key to winning your audience’s heart is by understanding their needs. As a human, we always want to be understood.
One book that talks about diversity are “The Culture Map” by Erin Meyer. This book discusses cultural differences in a professional environment. In her book, Erin Meyer shares some of her and employees’ stories related to their misunderstanding experience, due to the cultural difference background.
“Unless we know how to decode other cultures and avoid easy-to-fall-into cultural traps, we are easy prey to misunderstanding, needless conflict, and ultimate failure.” (Erin Meyer)
Having been working with many expatriates around the world, Erin Meyer elaborates on her findings and provides us the communicating scale chart, which represents the communication style based on the culture.
Low context vs high context communication style
Erin Meyer separates the communication style based on the spectrum, with the “low-context” category on the far left and “high-context” category on the far right. The countries which fall under the “low-context” category have a precise and clear communication style, like most of the European countries. For those in the “high-context” category, they have tendencies to use layered communication, so recipients need to read between the lines. Most of the Asian countries are included in this category. Other aspects that are also explained in this book are the leadership and decision-making style of the culture clusters. As diversity has been one of the top priorities for most employers, this culture map will be beneficial, as a way to evaluate the communication effectiveness of a diverse team.
“When interacting with someone from another culture, try to watch more, listen more, and speak less.” (Erin Meyer)
Key takeaways from the book
In my opinion, it’s important to learn these differences, in order to find the best way on how to make it work. The key to overcome the differences is by understanding another person’s way of thinking. Learn about what values they are holding to and how they respond to certain situations. Observe and explore more, then discuss those differences and work on solutions on how to get the best from both worlds. When we can finally see from their perspective, it will be easier for them to open up and share their thoughts with us.
“Just as fish don’t know they’re in water, people often find it difficult to see and recognize their own culture until they start comparing it with others.” (Erin Meyer)
Some people may see differences as an obstacle, but if we see it from another point of view, it can be a way to broaden our knowledge, also a way to learn on how to be respectful to others. Because I believe God creates us differently for a reason.
