What is Culture?

cultureis"Respect for the individual forms the very essence of what makes America great ….. respect means recognizing and appreciating the dignity and worth of people…treat all people with dignity and respect"     (Army Manual F22-100)

Culture is the knowledge, language, values, customs and material objects that are passed from person to person and from one generation to the next in a human group, society or organization. While a society is made up of people, a culture is made up of ideas, behaviors and material possessions as it relates to people. Culture exists in society and organizations and can be a supportive force providing a sense of continuity. It can also be a force that generates discord, conflict and even violence.

This all important and thought provoking course will focus on skills that will create a comfort zone for participants, personally and professionally, enabling them to work cooperatively and productively.

Objective:

Verbal misunderstandings are frequently the beginning of problems between culturally different employees. Cultural problems exist in some form in all organizations. Devising ways for employees to expand their individual comfort zone is a challenge that must be met.

This course will discuss the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1991 and the various EEO laws prohibiting job discrimination and identify the barriers to advancement. We will examine the consequences of being culturally deficient language discord, sensitivity, insensitivity, and systemic deficiencies.

Topics of discussion/Exercises:

  • Values
  • Cultural Change
  • Language, Gender, Race
  • Leadership Constraints
  • The Communications Process
  • Ethnic Minorities, Women, Older Workers, Workers with Disabilities
  • Conflict Management