A New Way to Strengthen America: Cultural Competency

Dear Cultural Coach:
You often mention cultural competency in your articles. What is cultural competency, and what traits, skills and characteristics do culturally competent people possess?
- Culturally Inquisitive

Dear Inquisitive:
This question is tough because insufficient research or data exist to give an expert answer.

So, I consulted my field staff. These are the brave people working side-by-side in multiethnic work forces who make mistakes first and then whisper loudly to the rest of us, "Hey you, that doesn't work."

Emotionally aware - They recognize the cultural situations, events and words that are likely to distort their judgment or view. Culture operates much like transition lenses, which darken the wearer's view whenever he or she encounters the right trigger.
Emotionally controlled - They control and monitor their emotions whenever their cultural lenses are on.
Reflective - They study their techniques and strategies to improve their effectiveness.
Self-sufficient - They learn the skills they need to interact effectively.
Culturally agile - They can view situations through the cultural filters of other people or special populations. As they gather information, they integrate it into work habits. They are able to work with colleagues at every level.
Empathetic- They sense the emotions of colleagues, neighbors or friends and respond well.
Patient- They forgive those who are slow or resistant learners.
Skillful communicators - They hold productive conversations that allow a variety of beliefs and or insights to emerge and be fully debated. They can tailor their message to fit the audience.
Principled leaders - They never abandon their commitment to corporate goals or personal principles in moments of crisis or racial, ethnic or religious tension. They admit to mistakes to learn from them. They lead by modeling the appropriate behavior for colleagues, friends and neighbors.
Culturally literate -. They actively seek knowledge and information about a diversity of cultures and special populations.

America's diversity, managed well, can be leveraged to make multinational businesses more profitable and responsive to global consumers. These differences, by the way, include those related to age, gender, race, ethnicity and physical disabilities. By learning the cultural competencies that fully equip us to support our nation and our neighbors, we can strengthen America.

Dear Cultural Coach:
My mother would not understand all the fuss we read about in the paper concerning slurs aimed at races, ethnic groups, religions and cultures. She had a good sense of humor, and could take just about anything anybody threw her way. When we complained about some hurtful remark aimed at us or someone we loved and respected, Mama's advice was always: "Just consider the source." That response tells us volumes about the person who made the hurtful comment. It is a polite put-down.
- Common Sense in Greensboro

Dear Common Sense:
I think everybody ought to listen to your mother. The world would be a much better place if corporate handbooks and political leaders used family wisdom to help us handle bullies, disappointments and spiteful colleagues. My mother used to tell my siblings and me: "Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Words sting, but they can't kill unless we get upset and worry ourselves to death. For generations, parents have been telling children that tyrants and teasers can't take away your dignity unless they get you to agree to serve as their accomplice. Anyone else wish to share?