ISB Holds Lecture on Cross Cultural Success in the Workplace

ISB Holds Lecture on Cross Cultural Success in the Workplace

The International Club, Vistas Club, and Twin Cities Expatriate Association (TEA) recently held a lecture at ISB on "Cross Cultural Success in the Workplace". This was the second of a series of sessions that TEA members are conducting at ISB. The speaker was Ms. Cheryl Crosthwaite who has traveled to over 70+ countries.

In this session, Ms. Crosthwaite gave the students an overview on understanding culture and discussed the importance of Cultural Etiquette and Cultural Quotient for young professionals. She enlightened the students on issues such as cultural shock, practical difficulties in a workplace, working in the Middle East, stereotypes and prejudices, and the psychological barriers of "us" versus "them".

Ms. Crosthwaite stated that people are often required to travel to various international locations during their careers and it is, therefore, important to learn Cultural Intelligence. While trying to understand the world around us, one tends to divide the world into "us" and "them". Problems would arise when a group of people exhibit ethnocentrism, broadly defined as the belief that one's culture is the most superior. If two ethnocentric groups with extremely different cultures interact, there would be friction and conflict.

Visitors to a country often receive cultural shock because of the differences in cultures. In this regard, stereotypes could be a useful tool to understand certain behaviors of other groups, as long as one did not believe that all members of the other group were absolutely homogenous.

One could also use scientific research like Geert Hofstede^TM Cultural Dimensions to understand people of various cultures by evaluating them on certain human process metrics. Some of these metrics were Power Distance Index (PDI), Individualism (IDV), Masculinity-Feminity (MAS), Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI), and Long-Term Orientation (LTO) versus Short-Term Orientation. Studying these useful metrics could reveal deep insights about various nationalities that one is required to work with.

Ms. Crosthwaite rounded off the session by fielding questions about specific work conditions in various parts of the world, and spoke about negative prejudices and the feeling of exclusion within an organization.

Concluded.

Contributed by -
Deepak Chembath (Campus Associate),
Class of 2008,
Indian School of Business, Hyderabad.

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