Course 2: Becoming a 7 Cups Leader - (Discussion #10) Diversity, Cultural Differences, and Second Language Learners

@shiningSound31

I think the last point that you made is important: we will not always agree with everyone that we come across, and it is important to learn how to work around our differences. Diversity forces us to face new ideas and beliefs and can challenge our pre-existing ones, which can enable us to be more open, understanding, and empathetic.

@IvyL

I agree, IvyL

@shiningSound31

Your explanation for making a more respectful community is extremely good and makes sense. Good job!

@BookChunky

Thank you, Chunky for liking my response. Your kind and a warm reply to my response is really an encouragement to me. Thank you, Chunky

Please list some advantages of a diverse team.
Diversity can bring about different perspectives and backgrounds and beliefs, which brings more ideas to the table and more approaches to solutions. Diversity also increases our acceptance of each other: knowing that others are different, and being able to celebrate our difference, makes us a stronger team altogether.

How can we be respectful of different cultures on 7 Cups?
To be respectful of different cultures, I think it is first important to acknowledge that 7 Cups has a platform that stretches around the globe, so you will find people from all sorts of backgrounds here. It is important to approach everyone you meet with an open mind, and an understanding that there will be differences, whether it be in practices or beliefs, but ultimately, we are all share at least one thing together: membership in this caring community.

@IvyL

This is really good explanation and clear response. :)

@IvyL

Loved your answer! I loved how you put that we all share membership in this caring community.

I would like advice about something related to this. I work at a call center as a customer support agent for a tax software and with English being my second language, many American customers are very rude to me. I take it personally and end up wanting to cry after a lot of calls. Can you help me navigate this difficulty?

@norahdavex

Hello norah. I am really sorry to hear you had such an awful experience. I think working with people is often difficult because not all people are open-minded and emphatetic. My advise would be to kindly state that you are doing your best and that you really wish to give the assistance they need. I am not sure whether they are being rude to you because of English or just the fact that it is a call centre as I heard way too many similar experience from people working in call centres. I think it would be a good idea to talk to someone here on 7 cups when you feel terribly like that even though I am not sure whether that would be possible at that moment when you are at work. However, it is also good in my opinion just to talk to someone about it at the end of the day. Another thing to keep in mind is that it seems like you are really trying because you are asking how to manage it better but I can understand that it is difficult not to take these comment personally. I think it would be also a good idea to review this presentation that talks about burn-out: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Cn4qDGLC7-8JI_MkUP3GNBKMEsYDwGO7MbA2Fa7ozL4/edit. I hope this answer helps. When you feel sad again and you feel like you need someone to talk to, then remember that you can message me and we can talk about it together! Stay strong!

@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!

1) having a diverse team brings together a melting pot of beliefs and values that creates a multicultural and rich society.

2) Remembering that we are a global team and therefore must treat everyone with respect.

@EvelyneRose

I agree with treating everyone with respect!

@EvelyneRose Oh, your answer brings up a good culture difference. When I was in school we learned that here it's like a cultural mosiac, whereas in the US it's more like a melting pot. The mosiac way of doing things was taught as 'better' even if not really directly. It's hard to lose the negative connotation of the melting pot (my learned bias), basically it was lack of diversity, everyone takes on the same quallities although everyone's 'flavours' or qualities get distributed in that. A salad bowl metaphor got added to the curriculum after me, I first heard about it from those younger than me.

I think it's also a great example of stereotypes. Canada really doesn't meet the mosiac model (or salad bowl) in many aspects. If doing a similar map distribution to what @QuietMagic shared I think Canada overall might lean a bit more towards the mosiac than the US, but there are differences in the various regions in both countries and there's overlap. Of course, there are also advantages and disadvantages to both.

I guess that's where too the salad model may come in? There's the individual items but then there's the dressing that is similar to a melting pot where flavours from all the incredients infusion in too. Balance between assimilating to some of the norms while also maintaining cultural diversity.

@Heather225

Please list some advantages of a diverse team.

- Innovation from the differents perspectives

- Learning about differents cultures

- Reaching and helping people outside of our country or culture

How can we be respectful of different cultures on 7 Cups?

First, we have to accept that people can have different beliefs or think differently. When a disagreement occur in such situation, we can try to find a mutual agreement or delegate the task to someone else.

Hi @Vintagechoc, I am from India

@DonaldDraper

Hi! Nice to meet you

@Vintagechoc Nice to meet you too. See you around, in LCR maybe :)

@Heather225

Please list some advantages of a diverse team.

Diversity is an important role in any industry or team. Not only give a variety of different point of views from different people based on background, culture, language, etc but also expand the community. A diverse team are more productive and perform better because it's a pool of talents, different speciality.
How can we be respectful of different cultures on 7 Cups?

Learn more about other culture, respect others and talk to people from different places. If you're unsure about inappropriate behaviour toward people with a different culture, ask them. Try not to mock or belittle others when they make a mistake

@dancingMoment7201

i absolutly agree to your points! first of all to ask not to suppose and also to be mindful of the fact that mistakes are a side effect of being human and to be made fun of it!

@dancingMoment7201 i love how you explained why diversity is important. :)

@Heather225

Woop, I absolutely love this doc! Thanks @Hope <3

Please list some advantages of a diverse team.

A diverse team means more chance to learn about different culture, more variety of ideas to help the team and different experiences that can help us be even more inclusive and plan things right!

How can we be respectful of different cultures on 7 Cups?

We can do so by being inclusive of everyone and being willing to learn more about it. I also loved how docs mentioned timezones so yes, making sure we time things so that everyone can get the chance to join and mostly by being open-minded about variety of ideas, opinions and trying to understand each other.

@Heather225

Questions

Please list some advantages of a diverse team.
A diverse team is more innovative, responds better to change, is a better crisis-solver, etc.

How can we be respectful of different cultures on 7 Cups?

By being aware of their existence, acknowledging their differences and embracing them as part of our diversity, which is something that truly makes this place work, and an amazing asset.