October 22, 2024 4 Min Read
Webinar Recap: Navigate Social & Cultural Intelligence In The Workplace
Social awareness refers to the ability to perceive and understand the feelings, needs, and perspectives of others. Cultural awareness is recognizing and appreciating cultural differences, including customs, beliefs, values, and behaviors. Unlock the power of both social and cultural intelligence to improve your workplace dynamics with coaches Dawid Wiącek, Natasha M. Nurse, and Elaine Jacob.
The Importance Of Social & Cultural Awareness
From physical cues to conflict resolution, learn about the impact of social and cultural awareness on productivity, teamwork, and organizational success with Coach Dawid below.
Key takeaways:
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As workplaces become more diverse, understanding and respecting cultural and social differences are critical for effective communication and collaboration.
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Social awareness can help attune us to the emotional states of our team and other employees and create genuine connections.
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Take the initiative to have a virtual or in-person “coffee chat” with someone you don’t work with regularly or perhaps even someone you have tension with to get to know them better and eliminate any assumptions you may have held. Says David, “I choose intentionally to not put other people in boxes.”
Create Learning Opportunities
Learning pathways can take many forms: workshops and training, online courses, Employee Resource Groups (ERG’s), mentoring programs, external resources, and interactive discussions. Identify strategies to utilize learning opportunities within your organization and enhance your social and cultural intelligence with Coach Natasha.
Key takeaways:
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When setting goals for your learning, be specific and definitive: “You deserve to be the most evolved version of yourself.”
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When engaging in mentoring as a form of learning, it’s important to have a safe space for moments of reflection.
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According to Coach Natasha, a big learning for communication is around Intent and Impact. Even when you intend to work well with co-workers and managers, it’s still possible to have good intent with poor impact. This is when reflecting back and clarifying can improve collaboration.
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Learning is an ongoing, lifelong journey!
Leverage DEIB & ERG’s
A culture of inclusivity is critical to creating a workforce that your team wants to be a part of for the long term. Learn about the power of diversity, equity, inclusive and belonging initiatives and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to enhance cultural intelligence and inclusivity.
Key takeaways:
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DEIB initiatives must be custom-designed for employees and their specific environment and needs.
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On the importance of ERG’s, Coach Natasha highlights: “Sometimes you need to share your narrative with people that share a narrative with you.”
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When employers allocate resources (time, money, programming) into DEIB and ERG initiatives it’s not just a great talent attraction, but a way to have more diverse thought within the workplace.
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“Your organization is only as strong as your people,” says Coach Natasha. How are you celebrating your people? How does your team see themselves reflected in your initiatives, communication, decisions, etc?
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Creating opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration can be exciting for teams and reduce silos.
Foster Open Communication
Valuing and amplifying diverse perspectives is a crucial aspect of inclusivity. Learn how to equip participants with the skills and mindset needed for open and inclusive communication in a diverse workplace with Coach Elaine below.
Key takeaways:
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Active listening (asking active questions, engaging and responding thoughtfully) and demonstrating empathy (recognizing and understanding the perspectives of others) are key traits for connecting with others.
- Communication is multifaceted – don’t underestimate the power of inclusive language and diversity in imagery.
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Leadership is critical in valuing diverse perspectives and ensuring that decision-making processes are clear and inclusive so people understand what is required.
- Engagement and belonging are required for creative and innovative workplaces.
Celebrate Achievements & Share Team Success
How can we celebrate diversity and create shared cultural experiences to foster a sense of unity? Get creative with Coach Elaine below.
Key takeaways:
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Involve your team in the strategies and events you create for people to connect – be intentional and inclusive from the beginning and have the impact you want.
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Celebrating diversity can improve your organizational reputation and encourage others to work for you and your team.
Ready to transform your workplace to foster a more cultural and socially aware environment for employees? Connect with a Coach 1:1 to create a strategy specific to your work context!
Webinar recorded January 2024