Intercultural training - Diversity management
Management of culturally diverse teams (diversity management)

We recommend this training module for situations where there is a need for the preparation and support of people from different cultural backgrounds (for example: in companies employing an international staff).

Although the final form and precise themes of the training course depend on the actual environment, the training course is made up of three basic elements:
 

a) Transmission of knowledge

The mutual lack of knowledge about each other's culture is often the source of misunderstandings and conflicts. The first step to avoid "mistakes of ignorance" is to acquire ethnographic information about the foreign culture. However, it is often ignored that a cultural conflict is actually the result of a clash of several cultures. We tend to forget that in these conflicts the details of our own culture play just as important of a role as those of the other culture. This is why the expansion of cultural knowledge always has to include an improved understanding of and an increased awareness of our own culture.

At the same time, the knowledge of "facts" and cultural customs does not guarantee in itself the prevention of cultural conflict. Without the appropriate motivation and openness we cannot integrate this knowledge.

 

b) Forming attitudes

The basis of any intercultural cooperation is the open attitude and motivation of the various participants. This is based on an optimistic worldview that grants appropriate attention to others and assumes that:
  • Diversity is a resource to be used rather than a threat. It makes the organization/company richer in values
  • Understanding each other is possible
  • Intercultural competencies can be learned and developed

c) Development of skills and capacities

In order for us to be able to use our knowledge of different cultures and about our own systems of reference along with an open-minded attitude, we need to develop further skills that are important in situations of communication based on cooperation and are essential in intercultural relations. These are:
  • Cooperation
  • Creativity
  • Communication
  • Self-knowledge
  • Self-reflection

Training courses on offer

The training or mediation always responds to specific needs and does not have a pre-set schedule. In case of interest, please contact us by e-mail, fax, or phone.