Complex – that is a word that often comes up. Our world is increasingly complex, there is no doubt about that. It is highly interconnected and constantly changing.
Culture is one dimension of this complexity, and last week I held a keynote on the topic at Live2Lead in Gothenburg, Sweden. It takes new skills to navigate and lead in such a world. Both fundamental social skills and action skills.
Culture itself is very complex – we are all part of many different cultures, such as our generation, gender, role in society, profession, nation or region, and even more local ones. Apart from national cultures, the other layers of culture are in constant flow. Global mobility and multicultural teams have made the old national stereotype less relevant.
In my keynote, I focused primarily on the social skills –
In a complex world, there is one constant – ourselves. Where everything else seems to be moving parts or conflicting interests, knowing ourselves is the most precious knowledge there is.
How do I solve problems? Relate to other people? View decision-making and leadership?
It will help us identify how others around us are by using ourselves as a reference point. And of course, understand that in this complex universe of culture, there is no right or wrong.
After becoming more aware of our own values and behaviors, we can use curiosity to better understand others. Cultural awareness is essential to understanding how culture can shift meanings and perspectives. And avoiding getting stuck in the stereotypes and assumptions about the other.
Then there is critical thinking—it is more important than ever. Both how we interpret information, as well as the sources we use. Are they anecdotal or simplified cultural dimensions? Don’t get me wrong — these are all useful — but you must use caution in your application.
In a high-paced work environment, it is very important to find room for reflection.
In reflection, we learn from our experiences. We realize how our actions affected someone at work. It just makes us wiser and more grounded. Resilience is, to a large extent, found in time for reflection.