Tool #8: How to be Successful in the Multicultural Workplace Employee Success Toolkit Copyright Harriet Meyerson
How to be Successful in the Multicultural Workplace © Harriet Meyerson, What Does a Multicultural Workplace Mean to You? Exposure to new: Foods Arts Lifestyles Adapting to different ways of getting the job done.
How to be Successful in the Multicultural Workplace © Harriet Meyerson, What are Different Types of Cultures? 1.People from other countries 2.Other races or ethnic groups 3.Different religions 4.Age differences Generation X, Generation Y, Baby Boomers, etc. 5.Male vs. Female 6.Different backgrounds Grew up in the country, big city, etc.
How to be Successful in the Multicultural Workplace © Harriet Meyerson, Keep an Open Mind Everybody benefits from shared knowledge. People from other cultures may be able to show you a new way to accomplish a task. You may be able to teach them something new.
How to be Successful in the Multicultural Workplace © Harriet Meyerson, Increase Your Cultural Awareness Innovation and progress depend upon new ideas. A multicultural workplace allows for many different perspectives.
How to be Successful in the Multicultural Workplace © Harriet Meyerson, Develop Intercultural Communication Skills Talk to co-workers about each other’s cultures. Ask about ways to communicate better with them. Invite someone from a different culture to have dinner at your home. Ask to be included in your co-workers’ cultural celebrations.
How to be Successful in the Multicultural Workplace © Harriet Meyerson, Be Sensitive to Diverse Customs Ask your co-worker what is considered offensive or polite. A gesture or style of talking may seem polite to someone in one culture, but seem offensive to someone from another culture. Do some research on the different cultures represented at work. Credible internet sites Books Movies
How to be Successful in the Multicultural Workplace © Harriet Meyerson, For Example… The American gesture for “bye-bye” means “come here” to some people from Southeast Asia.
How to be Successful in the Multicultural Workplace © Harriet Meyerson, Celebrate Workplace Diversity Give a presentation about your culture. Share stories of childhood experiences. Show pictures. Explain customs. Bring snacks typical of your culture. Encourage co-workers to give presentations about their cultures.
How to be Successful in the Multicultural Workplace © Harriet Meyerson, How to be Successful in the Multicultural Workplace Quiz & Discussion Questions
How to be Successful in the Multicultural Workplace © Harriet Meyerson, Question 1 A multicultural workplace means you may have coworkers who have a different approach to ________________.
How to be Successful in the Multicultural Workplace © Harriet Meyerson, Question 2 A co-worker from another culture may show you _____ ______ to accomplish a task.
How to be Successful in the Multicultural Workplace © Harriet Meyerson, Question 3 In order to develop skills to understand diversity, you could: ____________.
How to be Successful in the Multicultural Workplace © Harriet Meyerson, Question 4 Behaviors vary according to culture. For example, the American gesture of _____ means __________ to some people from Southeast Asia.
How to be Successful in the Multicultural Workplace © Harriet Meyerson, Question 5 Name 3 ways you can celebrate diversity in the workplace.
How to be Successful in the Multicultural Workplace © Harriet Meyerson, Set Your Goals What are your three main goals to be successful in the multicultural workplace?