CULTURAL COMPETENCE
Cultural Competence
Cultural competence is and ongoing process of learning to communicate across lines of differences. Culture is the combined knowledge and insight past between generations. A culture establishes a world view. Cultural competence is the ability to see past one's assumptions about the world, inorder to understand the world view of another. It is a set of skills that support the ability to communicate effectively with people of different cultural backgrounds.
There are many aspects to cultural competence and it is an ongoing process of development. However, cultural competence requires at least these major abilities:
There are many aspects to cultural competence and it is an ongoing process of development. However, cultural competence requires at least these major abilities:
- Self-Awareness: Seeing ones own cultural background and how it influences our world view, thoughts, choices, likes, dislikes and how culture informs our assumptions about what success looks like.
- Attitude of Openness: When learning about another person's world view it requires an open, receptive and listening deeply. It also requires that one communicates about one's own world view and culture with a similar open attitude. As the old poem states, "only a bird can know a birds heart." We can learn from one another if we take an attitude of openness.
- Knowledge of Cultural Practices: This skill is vital. Understanding the cultural values, expression of thoughts and emotions is vital to effective communication across differences.
Often in cross cultural communication the impact of ones communication does not match the intent of the communication. This can lead to misunderstandings at best or damage to the relationship at worst.
This is the skill that helps communication be more effective. It requires an active stance, such as seeking out places to learn information, find cultural consultations, and not just passively participating in a conversation.
This skill also requires that we learn about other cultures but then be willing to put down that information if it is not relevant to the person we are communicating with. - Knowledge of the Impact of One's Culture on Communication: Our culture has an impact on communication. If one is aware of that impact one can more effectively communicate across lines of differences.
- Communication skills: These are the skills for communicating across differences. These skills support effective interactions where the intent matches the impact.