Cultural Fusion

Diversity leads to more conflict. And then to less conflict!

A study at the University of California found that while "greater diversity in groups produced more conflict and subsequently more idea generation, these groups unexpectedly experienced less emotional conflict." (Rasmussen, T.  The ASTD Trainer's Sourcebook: Diversity.)

Now to me this makes perfect sense.  Any group has a tremendous diversity within it, as we're all individuals.  However, if the group seems to be homogeneous in some obvious types of characteristics (i.e. a group that's similar in race, age and educational background), a lot of the more subtle differences that make up each person are going to get ignored.  We all make assumptions when we meet someone, but the beauty of someone different from us, who challenges us, is that we can't make as many assumptions.

I've often seen, as I'm sure you have, too, that in diverse groups there's more conflict early on as everything gets out on the table.  "What in the world are you thinking?" might be the question most commonly posed (if we weren't being so polite).  Ultimately, this leads to more understanding and less emotional drama down the road.

Kathryn, the Dress Code and the Rumor

In my last post, I highlighted the amazing blog The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and her very useful tool: "Eleven tips for broaching difficult subjects."

Part of understanding cultural competency is understanding what to do when those inevitably difficult conversations arise.  How do you confront somebody who offended you?  How do you tell an employee that their dress isn't appropriate in your workplace when it could be considered ethnic dress? 

To give an example from one of my previous workplaces:  Kathryn, who is black, had cut her hair very short earlier in the summer.  As fall approached and her hair grew back in, it started to become a somewhat unruly fro.  One morning, she decided just not to mess with it and wore a blue, nylon do-rag to work.  She wore a slouchy sweater and a khaki skirt, just as she did most days to meet the "professional dress" dress code.  She met with her supervisor that day for their monthly meeting.  The supervisor didn't comment on anything about her dress. 

Over the next couple of weeks, Kathryn wore do-rags each day she went to work.  She found she could get in earlier to work without having to worry about her hair.  Each day her supervisor saw her and there was no comment, so Kathryn figured it was okay.  There was nothing mentioned in the workplace dress code about do-rags, and everything else she wore was technically in the guidelines.

All of a sudden one day, Sylvia, a manager two levels above Kathryn stopped by her cubicle and politely asked her to stop wearing the do-rags to work.  Perhaps if they were "more ethnic" in style, it would be acceptable.  Kathryn found the comment mildly offensive but agreed to stop wearing the do-rags to work. 

The next day, Kathryn wore a cute baby blue cabled cashmere stocking cap that exactly matched her sweater.  The manager gave her a wink of approval as she walked in the door.  "You look very nice today, Kathryn."

And then, Elaine came into the doorway of Kathryn's cube.  "I can't believe what Sylvia said yesterday.  There's so ridiculous about the dress code here.  As if what you wore on your head had anything to do with how good a work you do."  And then she whispered, "And that's not the worst of it."

"What are you talking about?" asked Kathryn.  She could feel her heart pounding.  Elaine knew all the gossip in the office.  What was someone saying about her?

Elaine, with an almost delighted look on her face, continued:  "Well, a few people who sit in the cubes outside your supervisor's office heard another supervisor come in and complain that because you were black that you thought you could get away with wearing anything that you wanted to."

What a mess.  How could the do-rag 'incident' been handled in a better way?  What do you think, dear reader?

The Happiness Project and Broaching Difficult Subjects

Yesterday's post on the Happiest People in the World reminded me of an article that I read recently in Real Simple magazine by Gretchen Rubin, titled "10 Ways to be Happier. " This other Gretchen is the creator of The Happiness Project, a one-year endeavor of her own to be happier.

What she ended up creating is this amazing blog with all sorts of tips on being happier posted every Wednesday.  One in particular that I like is the Eleven Tips for Broaching Difficult Subjects.  Frequently, when we're faced with a cultural misunderstanding, we tend to talk to others or try to ignore the problem rather than broaching the difficult subject with the alleged offender.  This often leads to disastrous results.

What do you think of Gretchen Rubin's tips?  Any other posts of hers that you particularly like?