Building Communication through Cultural Competency

Mar 05, 2023

I often find myself thinking about how shared histories, education and culture shape our communication. For me it helps me shape the way I listen to acknowledge cultural differences and practices that can help me understand how my interactions can become more inclusive. For example, “Do I understand where you are coming from in terms of engagement with our efforts together?” or “Do I understand how our interactions may impact our shared goals?”

During a lecture section of the executive education course entitled “Diversity, Inclusion and High Performance” at the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business, the interviewer asks Dr. William A. Guillory, author of Racism, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Equality, “Can you talk to us a little bit about what inclusion looks like?” His answer I think is the basis of how we call on our cultural competency to promote inclusivity. He responds, “When we think about inclusion, we think about…what is the framework for the culture we live in? If you take any segment of a culture, people tend to get along best when they experience similarities because the differences they experience are not threatening to them. ” He goes on to say, “When you’re not threatened, you can move relationships to a different level of quality, understanding, cooperation.”

I would highlight thinking about interactions that can be non-threatening to each other as key so we’re aware of cultural differences that may impact how we respect and interpret each other’s communication. Expanding one’s cultural competency gives you the tools to interact with each other where our conversations are inclusive and ultimately creates a safe way to introduce new ideas or to come to an understanding toward shared goals. One may conclude the more similarities we share the more we respect our differences. Our goals can become easier to discuss and share.

Some high-level points to drive acknowledgement of cultural competence:

Effective Communication
- Awareness of interpersonal styles and how we build and experience similarities with each other.
Respect
- Appreciation of each other’s culture where we give each other the respect to hear what may impact our interpretation of our communication.
Leadership
- How does your management of a multi-cultural workforce influence your ability to meet the goals you are trying to achieve?
Workplace
- How does each person’s culture fit in the team? Tolerance and acceptance of other cultures applies to leadership and collogues.

Additionally some educational resources and publications linked below may be useful for finding and engaging with cultural events in our community and at the University of Utah. I highlight a few here that include some of the cultures that I and my teammates may interact with to expand our shared cultural understanding. I hope this sparks ideas on how you address your level of cultural competence and ultimately experience similarities with each other. What cultural events and activities in your community are of interest to you? The CTSI UBelong Committee would be happy to feature upcoming events that are important to you.

Randy Madsen

UBelong Committee Member

U of U Health presents ‘Language of Care’

https://attheu.utah.edu/events/university-of-utah-health-presents-language-of-care/

Black Cultural Center

https://diversity.utah.edu/bcc/

Visit the “Programs & Initiatives” and “Community Resources” page.

Ij & Jeanné Wagner Jewish Community Center Community Passover Seder

https://slcjcc.org/community-events/community-passover-seder

Hillel for Utah – Jewish Live on Campus

https://www.hillelutah.org

Asia Center, College of Humanities and Community Activities: