Diversity and Inclusion - Working together to Drive Change

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION - DRIVING CHANGE

In July, the Financial Conduct Authority published a joint discussion paper (DP) with the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and the Bank of England, which formally recognised  the critical links between diversity and inclusion (D&I), and compliance, culture and governance.

The paper was aimed  at prompting the Financial Services sector to continue on a path to create truly diverse and inclusive environments within its organisations.

Whilst we await the results of the commentary to this discussion paper, we have mapped how our Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Training fits within the scenario-based training approach that should inform, engage and awaken this focus for every D&I strategy.

We have been encouraged to find that the DP recognises Cultural Intelligence (the foundation for understanding one another) at the heart of progress:

"Diversity and inclusion are critical to our work on culture and governance, particularly for boards and senior management."

"Research shows the positive benefits between diversity and inclusion and positive outcomes in risk management, good conduct, healthy working cultures, and innovation”.

“We recognise that the financial sector has taken steps forward on diversity and inclusion. But there is much more that needs to be done to create truly diverse and inclusive organisations that meet the diverse needs of those we serve."

Make Cultural Diversity Work

Today’s workforce is multicultural and globalised, and in order to fully appreciate the opportunities that diversity offers, people need the mindset and skills to work effectively within diverse teams and promote an inclusive environment. 

From values, attitudes, and preferences for communication, to work place interactions and work practices, unfamiliarity with multicultural norms can create distance, cause misunderstandings, produce fundamental divisions, and confuse messages and reactions. 

A tailored approach to D&I and ESG is the way forward for progressive organisations, and the right cultural training  will raise awareness of cultural influences, examine ways to work effectively with diversity, and explore strategies to effect behavioural and attitudinal change, enhancing cooperation, collaboration, innovation, effectiveness and staff wellbeing.

Make Change Happen

It’s long been acknowledged, that there is no quick fix for developing and changing mindsets, and that cultural intelligence, alongside cultural sensitivity and comprehensive inclusion, cannot be learned and achieved through a ‘one size fits all’ or ‘box ticking’ training approach.

D&I Company strategy is a first step, but the vital next step is a mandatory training programme that builds on that strategy, and flexes training and delivery to suit specific organisational and personal objectives from a cultural perspective. What's required is a long term view and a sustained approach. 

  • The most effective training is tailored and developed

  • Programmes should be stimulating, interactive, thought-provoking and practical

  • Sessions must allow for personal reflection and group discussion

Make the Investment in Training

If sufficient resources are invested in understanding cultural diversity, and cultural nuances, where they operate, a tailored training approach is a powerful investment.

There are multiple situations where cultural differences (often difficult to identify and navigate smoothly) play out, and many of these situations are sector/industry specific and will depend upon the roles and responsibilities and global reach of an organisation and its people.

For example, organisational and cultural hierarchy may mean that decision making is conducted in accordance with very different cultural approaches. Attitudes to 'leadership' and 'team' may be very different, and time spent in relationship-building and social engagement may be an essential prerequisite for business interaction in some cultures, but considered unprofessional and even untrustworthy in others.

Make Global Mindset Matter

Applying a global mindset is a fundamental skill, and for organisations where ‘buy-in’ comes from the top down, and where the company culture embraces and works with diversity, champions inclusion and takes steps to mitigate unconscious bias, research shows there are significant benefits to the business and staff, including:-

  • increasing performance

  • winning top talent

  • breaking ‘group-think’

  • enhancing co-operation

  • increasing collaboration

  • improving staff retention

New Training programme! Supporting the Development of Your International High Potentials

SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR INTERNATIONAL HIGH POTENTIALS - NEW TRAINING PROGRAMME!

Many of our clients’ HR and Learning and Development Directors are tasked with identifying ‘people talent’ for fast-track development. Their remit is to advance the skills of high potential individuals working in an international business environment.

Over the years spent supporting clients’ training objectives, we have identified a specific requirement for a ‘Specialised Hybrid Training Programme’, consisting of Tailored Cultural Awareness and Communication Skills Training with Advanced Language Coaching.

Our programme is delivered 1:2:1 through multiple, flexible sessions designed to meet the busy schedules and specific development requirements of High Potential Internationals.

The programme drives advanced business language capability and improves cross-cultural communication skills.

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Why Cultural Training is Key

Communicating and working across cultures in a global organisation is complex, and developing effective communication skills in this environment requires not only a high level of self-awareness but also cultural sensitivity and an understanding of the cultural dynamics at play.

The ability to interact and work effectively with people from other cultures, to achieve business goals, is often critical in today’s multicultural business environment, and it’s widely recognised that a lack of communication skills and cross-cultural understanding can be a major obstacle.

Therefore, being able to communicate well using Global English (or other language) whilst recognising cultural differences, and having the cultural intelligence to understand how to work with these, to effect, make an important contribution to an individual’s development, global working relationships, and long-term success.

We train, coach and support individuals to:

  • Develop Language Fluency and Confidence in a Business Context

  • Communicate and Work More Effectively across Cultures

  • Practice Business Skills and Embrace Challenges

CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE: THE ESSENTIAL BUSINESS SKILL YOU CAN'T IGNORE

CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE: THE ESSENTIAL BUSINESS SKILL YOU CAN'T IGNORE

If you have ever worked in the world of international business, education, government or acadaemia, you may have come across the concept of Cultural Intelligence.

Perhaps you dismissed it as an unnecessary management term that should be confined to the business buzzword bin. Surely anybody with half decent interpersonal skills can work with others, regardless of their culture or background? Surely if you’re just nice to people, you can do your job perfectly well without having to know about this stuff?

CULTURE MATTERS!

Culture is an ubiquitous and invisible influence which impacts almost every personal and professional interaction we make. Cultural dynamics in the workplace can be complex and multi-layered. When we talk about culture, it’s not just the values, beliefs and behaviours associated with the nationality of a person that come into play. Professions, organisations and even generations have their own cultures and sub-cultures, each with different behaviours, communication styles and references. Just stop for a moment and think about lawyers vs civil servants, startups vs government institutions, or Baby Boomers vs members of the digitally-savvy Generation Z. The differences can be immense!

THE PITFALLS

People often judge communication and behaviours through their own cultural lens, assuming everybody around them shares the same perspective (a concept known as ethnocentrism). A lack of understanding about the unique traits of our own and other cultures, and how we might be perceived by others, can cause all sorts of obstacles for individuals, teams and organisations. Mistrust, misunderstanding, frustration, inefficiency and ineffectiveness are some obstacles, just to name a few.

INTERPRETING THE UNFAMILIAR

Some argue that Cultural Intelligence (or CQ – Cultural Quotient) is simply a form of Emotional Intelligence, and just means that individuals are aware of and sensitive to cultural differences. Although there is a connection to Emotional Intelligence, Cultural Intelligence is much more than this. Individuals with high Cultural Intelligence have deep insight into the values and beliefs of another culture, and understand how these might play out in the behaviours, attitudes and communication of an individual. They view unfamiliar behaviours and communication styles with curiosity, regard them as a strength rather than a threat, and interpret and adapt to them accordingly. Culturally-intelligent individuals thrive in culturally-diverse environments, and are more confident working and managing others in cross-cultural situations.

THE RESEARCH

Cultural Intelligence has evolved from extensive academic research in more than 100 countries, and is internationally recognised as a way to assess the effectiveness of working in different cultural contexts. The concept was initially introduced by Professors Christopher Earley and Soon Ang in their book Cultural Intelligence (2003). David Livermore, President and Partner at the Cultural Intelligence Center, further developed this work, measuring Cultural Intelligence against four specific capabilities: Drive, Knowledge, Action and Strategy.

THE ESSENTIAL BUSINESS SKILL

As tempting as it might be to ignore, culture has a huge influence in the workplace, from the way we communicate, to the way we handle conflict, manage time or respond to hierarchy. In a global environment, it is vital to be able to interpret different contexts through the appropriate cultural lens.

Successful business comes down to people and relationships. Regardless of your sector or how good your services, products or technical skills are, doing business will be easier and more successful if you can convey the messages you need to, work with confidence in your knowledge of how other cultures do things, and build positive working relationships.

Cultural Intelligence is an essential and learnable skill (not to mention a fascinating and thought-provoking topic!), which carries ever increasing importance as the world experiences advancements in technology and artificial intelligence. Developing Cultural Intelligence is a great way for organisations to support their employees working globally, improve business performance and set themselves apart from their competition.

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We train people to communicate, influence and work effectively with anyone, anywhere in the world.

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