Cultural Sensitivity Training: Appreciating Diversity In The Workplace During the Holidays
With the festive season right around the corner, here’s a thought…
This year, assess how your business focuses on celebrating diversity and inclusiveness.
Cultural Sensitivity Training: A Key to Diverse Holidays
“People of different religions and cultures live side by side in almost every part of the world, and most of us have overlapping identities which unite us with very different groups. We can love what we are, without hating what – and who – we are not. We can thrive in our own tradition, even as we learn from others, and come to respect their teachings.” —Kofi Annan
With the world becoming more interconnected than ever and workplaces becoming cultural melting pots, celebrating or focusing on one holiday or festival more than the other is not only politically incorrect, but also insensitive.
In America, itself, there are tens of millions of people who may be celebrating festivals other than Christmas.
Is your business being culturally sensitive to them?
Is your workplace respectful of their celebrations as well?
Are your brand communications inclusive of them?
Cultural sensitivity trainings ensure that happy occasions like the holidays don’t become a sore point for employees, stakeholders and customers.
How can one be more aware and appreciative of different religions, cultures and of course traditions and celebrations?
By practicing universal values that transcend cultures, regions and religions.
Regardless of what country you may reside in or what religion you may practice, you’ll find common universal values of kindness, courtesy, respect and compassion within other religions.
As a brand and a business, make sure that your communication and presence reflects the commonalities more than anything else.
Cultural sensitivity trainings can also help spread more awareness and understanding at the grassroots level about festivals, religious observances and traditions that may are unfamiliar to some.
This year, instead of sending out holiday greetings, consider sending out a “We appreciate you” card to customers, clients and employees?
Localize your holiday messaging and content but make sure it doesn’t get lost in translation, literally. Tailor it specifically to the local market for maximum and effective impact.
How will your brand be culturally inclusive and sensitive during this holiday season?
Questions? Ask me in the comments below or reach out to me on Facebook.
