1. ‘Context, Culture and Positive Psychology:
Reflecting on Advanced Practice’
A webinar series with Christian van Nieuwerburgh, Professor of Coaching and Positive Psychology
7th, 23rd, 30th June and 7th July 2017

2. Christian van Nieuwerburgh 30th June 2017
Webinar 3:
‘Interculturally-sensitive coaching’
Christian van Nieuwerburgh
30th June 2017

3. Executive Coaching and “Otherness”
[alternative title to webinar]
Executive Coaching and “Otherness”
@christianvn

4. Our time together Why it’s important to talk about this Diversity
Discrimination
Working with “culture”
Practical issues
Possible strategies
Time for questions

5. Existing definitions of culture
“pattern of shared, basic taken-for-granted assumptions…that manifests itself at the level of observable artifacts and shared espoused values, norms, and rules of behaviour”
Schein, 2010
“the way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs, of a particular group of people at a particular time.”
Cambridge Online Dictionary

6. “Self-identified cultural group”
Think of three self-identified cultural groups for yourself.
Which is most important to you?

7. Protected Characteristics
Anti-discrimination legislation
Protected Characteristics
Race
(including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin)
Pregnancy and maternity
Religion and belief
Sexual orientation
Age
Disability
Gender reassignment
Married or civil partnership
Don’t really like to even talk about these topics--having grown up in Lebanon myself.
3 questions that become increasingly more challenging. Do you notice any discrimination against these characteristics in society? In your schools? Do you discriminate?
Equality Act (UK) 2010

8. Interculturally-sensitive coaching
1. Not discriminating
2. Being respectful
3. Treating people fairly

9. “Treating people fairly”
From a universalist point of view, everyone should be treated equally and should follow the same rules and laws.
From a particularist point of view, every case is different and people should be treated differently based on their particular circumstances.
Even then it’s difficult…
Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner, 1997

10. The developmental model
of Intercultural Sensitivity
Intercultural Sensitivity 1
DENIAL of cultural difference 2
DEFENCE against cultural difference 3
MINIMISATION of cultural difference 4
ACCEPTANCE of cultural difference 5
ADAPTATION to cultural difference 6
INTEGRATION of cultural difference
The developmental model of intercultural sensitivity. Think about where you/your school would be in this model. It’s only a theory—but it is helpful for our own self-awareness.
Bennett, 1993

11. Keep a note of where you are…
Which stage most closely aligns with your current way of thinking about “cultural difference”?

12. Denial of cultural difference
Avoids experiencing difference by staying within homogeneous group.
Stays separate from other cultural groups to protect own worldview.
Bennett, 1993

13. Defence against cultural difference
Believes that own culture is superior to other cultures.
Criticises and judges other cultures as inferior.
Bennett, 1993

14. Minimisation of cultural difference
Believes that all humans have the same physical characteristics. Such common biological features mean that behaviour is recognisable across cultures.
Believes that all humans share the same universal values and therefore that everyone shares the same cultural worldview.
Bennett, 1993

15. Acceptance of cultural difference
Recognises and accepts that own culture is just one of a number of equally complex worldviews.
Is curious and respectful toward cultural difference.
Bennett, 1993

16. Adaptation to cultural difference
Empathy
Has developed enough intercultural communication skills to adapt to difference and consciously shift into other perspectives.
Pluralism
Understands that difference should always be understood within the context of the relevant culture.
Bennett, 1993

17. Integration of cultural difference
Contextual Evaluation
Able to manipulate multiple cultural frames of reference in evaluation of a situation.
Constructive Marginality
Identity is not primarily based on any one culture.
Bennett, 1993

18. Discussion in pairs: At school
Where are you now?
Intercultural Sensitivity
DEFENCE against cultural difference
MINIMISATION of cultural difference
ACCEPTANCE of cultural difference
ADAPTATION to cultural difference
INTEGRATION of cultural difference
Bennett, 1993

19. Intercultural sensitivity in coaching
Demonstrate appropriate curiosity about others
Maintain a respectful attitude to the self-identified cultural groups of others
Maintain a non-judgmental attitude to the self-identified cultural groups of others
Demonstrate empathy when working with others
van Nieuwerburgh, 2017

20. What to avoid (all the time!)
Do not belittle the self-identified cultural group of a person
Avoid discriminatory language or behaviour
Do not allow cultural stereotypes to influence your perception of others
Avoid making assumptions about the self- identified cultural group of a person
May not be a compliment to tell someone that they are exotic. Or to be surprised by how fluent someone is in English.
van Nieuwerburgh, 2017

21. Best practice in all coaching conversations
Be clear about the purpose of coaching
Follow a clear process that is shared with the coachee
Commit explicitly to the principle of non-directivity
Respect the role of the coachee as a decision-maker
Regularly check the health of the coaching relationship N
There is no “other” in a coaching conversation.
van Nieuwerburgh, 2017

22. A question for you
What will you do differently as a result of this discussion we’ve had today?

23. Christian van Nieuwerburgh 30th June 2017
Webinar 3:
‘Interculturally-sensitive coaching’
ANY QUESTIONS?
Christian van Nieuwerburgh
30th June 2017

24. References
Bennett, M. J. (1993). Towards ethnorelativism: A developmental model of intercultural sensitivity. In R.M. Paige (Ed.) Education for the Intercultural Experience. 2nd edition. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press
Schein, E. H. (2010). Organizational Culture and Leadership. 4th edition. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Trompenaars, F. & Hampden-Turner, C. H. (2012). Riding the Waves of Culture: Understanding Diversity in Global Business. 3rd edition. London: Nicholas Brealey.
van Nieuwerburgh, C. (2017). Interculturally-sensitive coaching. In T. Bachkirova, G. Spence & D. Drake (eds), The Sage Handbook of Coaching. London: Sage.

25. Relevant resources Intercultural Development Research Institute
Web-based resource
Philippe Rosinski
Webinar
Equality and human rights commission
“Interculturally-sensitive coaching”
PDF of chapter
See attachment

26. Christian van Nieuwerburgh 30th June 2017
Webinar 3:
‘Interculturally-sensitive coaching’
THANK YOU!
Christian van Nieuwerburgh
30th June 2017