What are effective strategies for building relationships with people from diverse cultures?

It starts with identifying your own biases which are often stemmed from childhood. Knowledge is key so educating yourself on different cultures is important. Make an effort to build relationships with people inside and outside the workplace. Don't be afraid to ask questions and gain insight from people's lived experiences. Different cultures are so vast, exploring and listening to stories is a great way to build relationships.

Controlling our natural internal urge to dominate and subjugate others is the first step. Now this is very hard, as we have been hardwired to actively look for 'someone' to subjugate. Our primeval predatory self is difficult to control. We work in packs to bring down our prey. In the work environment it is hard to control our instincts when 'talent, performance, profits, and office politics' are used to fan the flames of our instinctive savagery. Now, breathe, calm down, listen and be curious 😂

Cultural intelligence begins with self-awareness. It is important to know how our culture shapes us and how this shows up when relating to others. While it is tempting to rush into learning about others, the journey begins with knowing ourselves and using that knowledge to guide our self-development journey as culturally intelligent leaders. Action: Take the Intercultural Development Inventory or the Cultural Intelligence Scale today. Goodluck.

The idea that to know another we start with ourselves is flawed. Rather than starting with the self, start with the other, specifically be of service to them. Cross-cultural relationships are often started as a precursor to receiving something from the relationship, transactional in nature. Relationships aren't built by accumulating knowledge about a person and applying that to them, that is a transaction where knowledge buys you connection. Start with contributing to them or things they find important, and demonstrate that you have the energy to commit to their world, and things the benefit only them.

Building relationships with people from diverse cultures requires an open and respectful mindset, as well as an active effort to understand and appreciate different perspectives. Some strategies are cultivating cultural curiosity, approaching interactions with a genuine interest in learning about other cultures; practicing empathy and cultural sensitivity, putting yourself in the shoes of others; being open-minded and flexible, embracing diversity by being open to new ideas and experiences and show respect for differences; participating in cultural activities, immerse yourself in different traditions, celebrations, or practices; and always use respectful communication.

When you enter a new country, you’ll immediately presented with new nuances. The language is different, the food, the customs, the outfits, the gestures, even the house could look different. Doesn’t that tickle your curiosity? Ask yourself ‘Why’ because behind their culture and traditions there’s always meaning. After that appreciate the beauty of the new culture and traditions no matter how different or how difficult it is for you to comprehend because through this appreciation you’ll soon understand about their way of life.

Starting with curiosity and humility that comes from understanding our own biases enables us to engage in active listening and empathy-building exercises, which are essential components of cultural competency. Learn to appreciate the benefits and richness of diverse perspectives and experiences. This appreciation of differences leads to more inclusive and respectful interactions. This active listening, curiousity and self awareness equips us to navigate cultural differences, bridge divides, and build meaningful relationships across cultures, whether in our personal lives or in our professional endeavors.

Use a tool like Social GRACES to consider which identities you don't think about or know the least about. Find podcasts, books, blogs, articles, TedTalks, TikTok or other content creator recommendations to learn more. Go to these places before you speak to your friend or your colleague and ask them to explain their experience to you.

By asking you get to learn a lot about different customs, food, drinks, way of life. Good and drinks brings everyone together. Why not buy same ingredients for everyone and ask them to prepare a meal that reflects their culture and the story behind it. In doing that you learn a lot more . Especially certain cultures express themselves by moving their hands and others show respect to a senior by saying yes please but maybe misinterpreted.

Ask them questions about thier culture, or consider what differences there are between your culture and theirs. This will help create that space where the diversity will enhance one another's perspectives and also create a foundation for growth.

Active listening plays a pivotal role in developing cultural competency. We learn through listening with attention and forms the basis of a growth in cross-cultural understanding and empathy. Asking open and genuinely curious questions and checking if your understanding is accurate aids with effective communication between individuals from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.

Respecting both differences and similarities in cultural competency is indeed vital, but it is not an easily taught standalone skill. It is cultivated and developed through conscious effort and practice that includes things like travel, exposure to books, music and stories from other cultures and an active focus on identifying your own blind spots and areas for improvement.

Active listening in cross-cultural relationships requires tuning into subtleties beyond words. It's about grasping the context and emotions tied to different cultural expressions. This demands mindfulness to non-verbal cues, which may hold more weight in some cultures than the spoken word. The critical insight: active listening is less about the mechanics of hearing and more about cultural empathy. By actively interpreting the communication layers, you build trust and show respect for the speaker's cultural identity, fostering deeper, more authentic connections.

Respecting differences and similarities is a lifelong commitment, and it requires ongoing self-reflection and effort. Care needs to be taken when requesting feedback as you don't want to place the burden of responsibility on marginalised groups to teach others about inclusivity. A deep desire for constant learning is the key skill that needs to be nurtured through conscious actions around seeking to understand different lived experiences and backgrounds. It is more about cultivating connection than it is about building diversity. We have found that with human connection and a broadening of understanding comes the natural desire to include different humans.

Feedback as a two-way street—it's not just about receiving input but also about understanding the cultural lens through which that feedback is given. Tailor your requests for feedback to cultural norms; in some cultures, direct questions may be needed, while in others, a more nuanced approach is appropriate. This practice demonstrates cultural sensitivity and can dramatically improve interpersonal dynamics and collaboration.

Continuous learning and an environment where mistakes are allowed and space for course correction is encouraged is the path to helpful cultural competency. An understanding that we are all at different places in our cultural appreciation journey and missteps will occur. The system needs to reject the cancel culture and embrace a reorientation mindset which involves shifting focus to adaptation and adaptive learning. This ensures that the development of cultural competency is ongoing, systemic and remains purposeful and relevant in dynamic environments.

In my experience, embracing a learner's mindset goes beyond formal education—it's about actively engaging with different cultures. Whether through books, media, language courses, or cultural events, each interaction deepens your understanding. This commitment signals respect and genuine interest in others' backgrounds, fostering trust and collaboration. In a diverse world, learning is both a bridge to unity and a strategy for personal growth.

When building trust in business, different cultures have their rulebooks. And often, the reliability of a country's legal system plays a massive role in shaping those rules. Certain cultures might insist on a dinner over a business meeting because personal bonds hold more value than written words on a page. Others might rely on the legal safety net rather than getting to know you personally.

Actively display tolerance, empathy and appreciation for diversity. Resist the temptation to assume that everyone sees things from your perspective and use the opinions given to reframe your understanding and appreciation of how someone else sees, values and perceives experiences and scenarios to foster better understanding and connection with them.

A systemic approach to cultural competency is essential as it integrates diversity and inclusion into the fabric of an organization. By weaving cultural competency into the corporate culture, organizations create an environment where diversity is embraced, inclusivity is prioritized, and individuals understand that diverse perspectives drive innovation, enhance decision-making, and bolster the organization's competitive edge. This systemic integration ensures that cultural competency is not a mere checkbox but a sustained long-term commitment, leading to greater employee engagement, improved relationships with clients and partners, and a more harmonious and productive workplace.