Importance of Culture and Communication in Leadership

Culture and communication underlies everything. Culture consists of the habits, rituals, traditions, beliefs and behaviors of each person in your organization. Communication is a process of interacting and dialoguing with two or more persons, groups and organizations. Cultural competency means being in tune with a person's cultural background and using language and concepts that respects a person's culture when in conversation. Knowing the cultural beliefs and being sensitive to each person's background and life style results in meaningful interaction and develops an instant rapport with colleagues.

How to be culturally sensitive when speaking to anyone.

l. Check out your own biases, areas where you consciously or unconsciously discriminate, judge, and stereotype others. Notice and put them aside when in conversation.

2. Ask questions about what's most important to the person you area speaking with. Family, tradition, rules, no rules, work ethics?

2. Observe person's non-verbal cues. What gestures are okay and not okay? It is okay to shake hands? Is it okay to look the person straight in the eye?

3. Be sensitive to boundaries. What is comfortable for each person? How far to stand between each other?

4. Use the person’s language when in conversation. This assures them that you are tuned in to his/her world.

5. Learn a person's traditions and beliefs and incorporate that into the conversations and into the organizational culture as well, where possible.

The importance of culture and communication is central to any discussion about leadership. Without good communication and cultural sensitivity among leaders and their members, unintentional mistakes may be made, the proper treatment and respect may not be given, and leader-member trust may not be established.

So if you want to lead with excellence learn what it means to be culturally sensitive in your organization.