Course 2: Becoming a 7 Cups Leader - (Discussion #10) Diversity, Cultural Differences, and Second Language Learners
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We are truly lucky to have a global community, rich in background and culture. In order to nurture our diverse community, we should each make a conscious effort to understand each other. The more we know, the more mindful we can be of one another's differences.
Please read this insightful doc written for us by @Hope.
Questions:
Please list some advantages of a diverse team.
How can we be respectful of different cultures on 7 Cups?
Activity: Please reply to 3 of your peers in this thread with encouraging or supportive words!
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@Heather225
Please list some advantages of a diverse team.
There are so many advantages of working with a diverse team - We are more understanding, caring, patient, appreciate everyone around us, tolerating of cultures and most importantly we learn how to respect each other more and be more inclusive of members and listeners, and the community as a whole.
How can we be respectful of different cultures on 7 Cups?
Be patient, understanding and inclusive of others and our differences.
@BookChunky
Nice response! I think you highlighted something that is extremely important - to be patient, understanding, and inclusive of others and our differences. Although I think that sometimes it is very difficult to really understand the other culture but it is important to keep trying, ask questions to better understand and always remain kind and respectful.
@Heather225
- It helps have more perspective on any issue, increases creativity and productivity across different timezones, gains understanding about various cultures
- Understand that we have different backgrounds and lifestyles and hence a difference in opinion is not unnatural. Keep in mind the timezones. Realise that English may not be the other person's first language and so mistakes should be seen as opportunities to help improve and not discourage.
@Grace8402
Ooh, I love how you mentioned about productivity despite the time zones difference because sometimes we can be even more productive when we have different timezones :) Understanding different cultures is definitely also another plus! I agree that keeping an open-mind about people with different backgrounds is extremely important and that mistakes always happen, and to view it as a chance to improve is great!
@DayDreamWithYou
Thank you for your reply! And yes, I agree with you. Have a great day. 😄
@Heather225
Please list some advantages of a diverse team. How can we be respectful of different cultures on 7 Cups?
Different cultural perspectives generate greater creativity; therefore a culturally diverse team can generate better ideas. Due to diverse backgrounds, the problem-solving process is faster as people have different experiences and views that all contribute and result in better decision making. We can be respectful to different cultures by using culturally sensitive language, by accepting differences, and by developing cultural-awareness.
@MoonlightHelper1
Thank you for this wonderful response :) I agree that different cultural perspectives can really generate creativity, ideas, and as Hope mentioned in the document, innovation. Ooh, I also really loved that you mentioned that problem-solving process is much faster because we all have different experiences. The three main things you listed as to how to be respectful to different cultures is honestly amazing; it was worded very well, and it is also 100% true!
@DayDreamWithYou
Thank you so much for your supportive and kind words! I also loved your answer and you included so many things that I did not even think of which is amazing! I especially like that we should not let stereotypes and our own biases affect our work and our relationships. I totally agree with it and I think it is one of the most important things.
@Heather225
Please list some advantages of a diverse team.
- different perspectives, bigger set of skill sets
- learn about different cultures
- appeal to the more diverse website; better at reaching out to different cultures
How can we be respectful of different cultures on 7 Cups?
- understand and respect the ideas and perspective of people from different cultures
- understand and respect when people are available (time zones)
- understand and respect that some people may be more sensitive to certain topics
- do not let stereotypes and our own biases affect our work and our relationships (sometimes it really helps to write our own biases and really take some time to reflect on them); avoid generalizations
- be open-minded, don't assume, and just in general, respect and empathize :)
@DayDreamWithYou I like the idea of reflecting on our biases to avoid them from affecting what we do here.
@DayDreamWithYou
Understanding and respect really do go hand in hand, and it's important that we always remember that!
@DayDreamWithYou
What topics do you think we should be careful of other cultures?
There are many advantages of working with a diverse team. One is that you will be exposed to the way others think which can help you become more open-minded. Another is that there are more ideas to be shared and diversity allows groups of individuals to refrain from using tunnel vision.
We can be respectful by being inclusive to everyone and being warm and welcoming to people to everyone.
Please list some advantages of a diverse team.
Different perspectives allow for more innovative and creative ideas to be expressed and put into place.
Allows 7cups to help and reach more people around the world in a way that is supportive.
Drives connectivity between parts of the world that are normally very disconnected.
How can we be respectful of different cultures on 7 Cups?
I think one of the big things to being respectful of different cultures comes to being mindful we are all different, but we all are human. We live in different parts of the world and we all have different experiences and different realities, but we are all human, with human brains and the human brain, no matter what part of the world operates in very much the same way. We are more similar to one another then we are all different.
@Heather225
Please list some advantages of a diverse team.
Having a diverse team increases reachability and skill sets.
People of different time zones are able to be online at their timezones. This allows for almost 24/7 reachability for members
English must not be the first language for everyone and thus having a diverse team allows for translators. This increases accessibility.
How can we be respectful of different cultures on 7 Cups?
7cups already does a great job at allowing us to report racist individuals. Furthermore, we can respect others cultures and languages and allow them to feel included in all discussions no matter how 'different' the individual is
Please list some advantages of a diverse team.
The different perspectives can drive innovation
Allows us to reach and help more people situated outside of our country/culture.
Covers different time zones and allows us to support people living in different timezones
You get to learn about different cultures and practices which adds to your set of skills.
A wider range of skill sets available for the team which can fuel creativity and productivity.
How can we be respectful of different cultures on 7 Cups?
Rise above the stereotypes
Be respectful of cultural beliefs
Be mindful of schedules and availability
Consider time zones
Avoid bringing up any criticisms about the politics/economy of that persons country one person can rarely do anything personally to change what is going on in a whole country
Real diversity training also involves finding out what is considered disrespectful or inappropriate in another culture and then not doing that when speaking to someone from that culture.
For example, when I speak Indonesian, I do not use the words I or You unless its absolutely necessary to the meaning of what I am trying to say, because in that culture it is inappropriate. When I speak French I use the word vous (you) for an adult stranger as a gesture of respect, and I use tu only for someone who is very close, after asking permission, because in that culture, tu is the word for you that is used to indicate disrespect - e.g.when you are swearing at or abusing someone.
1.) Advantages of a diverse team:
- different perspectives drive innovation
- learn about different cultures and practices
- fuel creativity and productivity
2.) As 7 Cups is a diverse community, we have to value inclusiveness. Every cultural background is beautiful, and us as a community needs to appreciate and respect every single individual member of 7 Cups.
Having diversity in a team is amazing and 100% needed. It offers a range of skills to a mix of different people (and not to mention it helps us to cover time zones!) Having different cultures and accepting those different aspects of different people is what 7 Cups is all about; diversity and equality. We can ensure respect by maintaining boundaries (and trying our best to understand different circumstances).
@RebekahRebel
I loved your answer! I definitely agree that it offers different range of skill sets too and maintaining boundaries is so crucial!