Introduction
A foreign influx in workplaces is increasing at an alarming rate. This influx has led to a cultural mix in workplaces around the world. Additionally, the influx has led to an enhanced focus on cross-cultural communication. Consequently, the business environment has encompassed numerous cultures around the globe. However, understanding appropriate behavior before individuals from different cultures has been challenging for businesses. Because of cultural diversity, people use different means to reach a common goal. However, the means used sometimes infringe on other people’s cultural beliefs. This paper will take two quizzes, which are aimed at improving cultural understanding. The paper will also examine the significance of cultural awareness to managers (Burman, 2010).
Quizzes are taken and results/reaction
I took two quizzes intending to assess my cultural awareness. The first quiz was on general issues of cultural awareness. The quiz on general awareness emphasized ISO language codes. The quiz contained 10 questions that asked about ISO language codes of different countries. Results were astounding because I had not paid close attention to the specific countries in regards to codes for languages. The score was 9 out of 10. The wrong answer was on ISO language code (ar) whose correct answer was Arabic. I also took another quiz on cross-cultural interactions. The second quiz contained 7 questions, which were based on different cultures around the world. I scored 6 out of 7 on the second quiz. However, it is necessary to note that my answers were accommodative to cultural tolerance. In essence, my decision to advocate for cultural tolerance was essential in enabling me to pass these quizzes (Kwintessential (2013).
My strengths in intercultural awareness
My strength in passing the quizzes was based mainly on my decision to advocate for cultural tolerance. For instance, the second quiz explored cultural differences in many countries. Visitors or new employees from foreign countries experienced most of the issues on cultural differences. Cultural tolerance was influential in most of my decisions to choose the answers given. This is evident in the question of an Argentinean employee who was to present to executives upon arrival in a foreign country. However, the executives decided that he should be given more time to rest before he presents to them. Conversely, he insisted on doing the presentation even after the executives pleaded with him to wait. In the end, it was realized that the executives were not interested in his presentation. Cultural tolerance would have deemed it fit to relax and prepare well for the presentation even if he felt prepared.
My weaknesses in intercultural awareness
My weakness in intercultural awareness was exposed when I could not answer the question on Arabic ISO language code correctly. In essence, I realized that I had not spent more time studying a variety of cultures around the world, especially those in the Arabic world. I also realized that I needed to attempt more cultural tests to achieve proficiency in ISO language codes. Additionally, I realized that my knowledge of business culture needed to be improved for me to achieve cultural awareness. However, I was encouraged by the fact that my weaknesses presented me with a challenge to succeed in achieving cultural awareness (Mind Tools, 2012).
Actions to build on strength and improve on weaknesses
Having realized that my knowledge of cultures was inadequate, I made steps to learn more about cultures around the world. Moreover, I made steps to interact with people from different cultures to improve my understanding of their cultures. I also learned that cultural tolerance was essential to achieve success in both business and workplace environments. Therefore, I planned to build on cultural understanding and build on cultural tolerance to improve my cross-cultural awareness skills. I also planned to assess my knowledge of cultural awareness regularly by taking numerous quizzes on diversity and cross-culture.
Significance of cultural awareness to managers
Based on past practices, cultural awareness enables managers to communicate effectively with workers from different cultures. Moreover, it enables managers to associate effectively with clients from different parts of the world. Cultural awareness gives managers the chance to avoid cultural behaviors that may demean other individuals they meet. For instance, the case in which a deal between American and Japanese executives went sour because of dressing mode caused both parties dearly. Such instances would have been avoided if American executives learned about Japanese professional ethics. Moreover, Japanese executives should have spent the time to learn American culture. Essentially, cultural awareness would enable managers to tolerate each other (Brown, n.d.).
Conclusion
Cultural awareness is essential in all organizations. Cultural awareness helps employees to understand one another. Additionally, cultural awareness enables managers to tolerate one another. This helps people to collaborate effectively without harming both personal and business relationships. After taking the quizzes, I realized that I still needed to research different cultures. However, I also realized that cultural tolerance is significant to the development of strong bonds with people from different cultures. Essentially, organizations should have a strong organizational culture to achieve cultural awareness.
References
Brown, J. (n.d.). The organization of the future. Web.
Burman, E. (2010). Managing diversity in a global world. Web.
​Kwintessential (2013). How Culturally Aware are you:Fancy yourself as a bit of a Culture Vulture? well, put yourself to the test! Web.
Mind Tools (2012). Hofstede’s cultural dimensions: Understanding workplace values around the world. Web.