Yesterday, as I entered our London office, I encountered a mix of reactions—concern for my safety amidst unrest, relief at seeing another brown female, and shared outrage over the turmoil. I've faced this before, feeling unsafe and disheartened, but this time I was surrounded by a diverse, supportive group. After years in construction and transport, moving to innovation was a refreshing change. While equity for women and minorities is still a work in progress, there’s greater diversity, cultural competence, and solidarity in difficult times.
In today’s globalised world, the power of diversity in programmes is undeniable. As an Indian female programme manager working alongside talented women Venezuela, Italy and the UK, I've witnessed how cultural competence—recognising, respecting, and valuing differences while adapting behaviours—drives success, especially in multicultural teams like ours.
Why cultural competence matters:
Enhanced communication: Diverse backgrounds lead to different communication styles and interpretations . Cultural competence helps avoid misunderstandings by being mindful of language nuances and non-verbal cues.
Improved collaboration: Respecting each other's cultural identities fosters an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas, leading to more effective collaboration.
Better problem-solving: Our diversity brings varied perspectives, crucial for innovation. We approach problems from different angles, leading to more creative results.
Increased flexibility: Being adaptable to different norms is crucial for managing international partnerships and navigating a global work environment.
How we are building cultural competence:
Awareness: We invest in understanding each other, fostering mutual respect and sensitivity.
Promoting open dialogue: Honest discussions about our differences, strengthening cohesion.
Leading by example: As the programme manager, I take responsibility for cultural awareness, respecting different perspectives and challenging my own biases.
Leveraging technology: Tools like Microsoft Teams and Zoom help bridge gaps across varying working patterns, time zones and languages.
Celebrating diversity: We celebrate cultural diversity, enriching our understanding and fostering a sense of belonging.
Supporting women and minorities in innovation:
As women and minorities in innovation, we face unique challenges but are empowered to support others. We champion increased representation and inclusion, knowing diverse voices drive creativity and growth. My experience in male-dominated industries fuels my commitment to creating inclusive programme environments for all.
Cultural competence is more than overcoming challenges; it's about seizing the opportunities that diversity brings. Let’s continue to leverage our diverse backgrounds to drive success, innovation, and support for women and minorities.
#CulturalCompetence #DiversityAndInclusion #Leadership #WomenInInnovation
Global Remediation Operations Lead w ING HUBs
1moBrawo Aneta