Culture is often compared to an iceberg, in the sense that what we can perceive is only at the top. The top of the “cultural iceberg” is made up of things we can observe and of what people allow us to see – what they wear, do, eat, and say.
However, the greater part of the iceberg lies below the surface and is not visible. That part is made up of values, assumptions, personality, beliefs and other characteristics that shape and drive behavior.
Are your own values and assumptions becoming a cultural lens?
These invisible or hidden values, assumptions, and beliefs shape and drive the majority of your daily activities such as:
- Work patterns,
- Interactions with managers and subordinates,
- How we handle professional problems or disagreements,
- The way we socialize outside of work with colleagues, as well as
- what you consider appropriate behavior for each gender,
- Your concepts of right and wrong,
- Your communication style one on one and in meetings,
- How we handle personal problems at work, etc.
For example, at the corporate level, I have observed how there are different perceptions about dealing with personal problems at work. Some people think that you should not bring your personal problems to work and that you should handle them outside of your work schedule. While others believe that having more understanding of your personal problems by supervisors and managers will allow them to better manage productivity and provide help to employees at critical times. This perception has a lot to do with corporate culture and values in organizations.
When someone’s behavior is observed and interpreted based on one’s own set of assumptions and values, miscommunication and misunderstandings can occur.
How can you utilize the cultural lens to succeed in your relationships?
There are several principles that could help you improve your relationships with others.
The first element that you can use to improve your communication, the way you connect with others and the way you can influence them, is to increase your cultural awareness.
Having the correct perspective about who you are and who the other person allows us to better communicate and interact with others and have successful relationships. Success will become a reality when your relationships with others are successful.
To understand others it is essential to understand ourselves – where we come from and why we do what we do, as well as identifying our own culture and leadership styles.
A simple exercise that can help you have self-cultural knowledge is:
First, to know more about your ethnic origin and culture. Then, identify those daily habits that you have that are more from your ethnic culture than from your own decision making such as the way that you approach a stranger or how you greet people.
Self-cultural knowledge is your first step to a relate productively and effectively to others.
Question: Which of your habits are based on your ethnic culture?