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

@amiablePeace77
You are absolutely right about no culture being the "right" one, we are all unique and everyone should embrace that!

@amiablePeace77

I like that - no one culture is right. It's a very good reminder to everyone. And being open-minded for sure.

@amiablePeace77

I loved your advantages! I think they summed it up really well.

@amiablePeace77 Thanks for that answer to the question about cultural diversity. You touched on the major points.

Advantages of a diverse team
- A diverse team can bring in new perspectives and ideas
- More people around the world means we can support people 24/7
- Increases productivity
- Interacting with a diverse team can help us learn to be more accepting

How can we be respectful of different cultures on 7 Cups?
- By being more mindful and accepting
- Understanding that not everyone speaks English, and even if they do, they may not be fluent
- Considering time zones

@NorahListens

I loved your reply! Amazing job Norah!

@NorahListens

Great idea to create bullet points, makes it clear and to the point 🙂

@Heather225

-Rise above stereotypes
-Be respectful of individual beliefs
-Be mindful of schedules and availability
-Consider time zones

I learned that self-care is really important in avoiding burnout and that in order to be at my best, I have to take time to care for myself.

I like to exercise and read to help avoid burnout. I also love to listen to podcasts and take online courses for personal growth.

1. It is especially beneficial to hear from a different perspective, which brings in new ideas.

2. It's important to be open minded and willing to learn.

Please list some advantages of a diverse team.

Innovation, we can help more people, covers different time zones, we learn about different cultures, it boasts productivity and creativity

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

Rise above stereotypes, be respectful of individual beliefs, be mindful of schedules and availability, consider time zones, be mindful of second language learners.

@Heather225

Please list some advantages of a diverse team.

Different and fresh perspective, we grow, learn to accept different cultures

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

By respecting individuals beliefs, by not making some feel left out, try to be supportive and encouraging.

Please list some advantages of a diverse team.

Diversity allows us to better help a diverse population, not just because of what an individual already has experience with/knows in order to support those seeking it, but because hey can share their knowledge with others who are supporting people.

A variety of strengths and skill sets allows for different areas to be managed well.

Those who need support are more likely to find someone they are comfortable with when diversity amoung the supporters exists.

The translation project is a great example - being able to support people in a variety of languages, connects with both of the above.

Better time coverage.

As we learn from one another, greater personal growth, group growth, productivity, creation and innovation.

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

Being aware and asking when unsure can go a long way.

Avoiding stereotypes

Be respectful when it comes to different beliefs - agree to disagree when appropriate on focus on what works well together and when different people are best working on different aspects.

Being aware of different schedules - both daily with things like time zones, sleep, work, etc. as well as around important dates such as holidays. Offer coverages for other leaders, consider different viewpoints& schedules for when support may be needed for some communities, such as people who have poor relationships with caregivers for days that recognize parents, people who are lonely when many families tend to gather, etc.

@Heather225

Please list some advantages of a diverse team.

Some advantages include receiving different perspectives, different views, different beliefs, that all come together to create one big, functional community. If we all thought the same and saw everything the same, we wouldn't have much room for growth or improvement, or anyway to change for the better because we would all think everything is fine the way it is.
How can we be respectful of different cultures on 7 Cups?

Remember that everyone is different and unique in their own way, not just based on where they come from, but because no one is like anyone else on this earth, and we should look past the obvious differences and get to know the person for who they really are

@BeautifulMasterpiece

What ways do you think we could learn from other cultures?

1: It allows us to see other people culutrals more diverse than what we see and we get to the issue in a differnet light that we never seen it before.

2: We can use simple langauge, not be quick to judge, and not to judge there culture off of that one person.

Please list some advantages of a diverse team.

Lots of different perspectives, lots of backgrounds to contribute ideas from, showing a sense of unity

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

Be open-minded to learn and towards others, being nonjudgmental and genuinely curious to learn, using ideas contributed by everyone

@Heather225

Working in an diverse team is much more helpful and interesting. We can listen different opinions and ideas and this can be much more productive.

We can first of all give them the opportunite to be represented, hear them, believe them, include them.

@queenviebsonly That's true! Great answer :). How do you believe that we can be respectful of different cultures on 7cups?

@Heather225

1. Spiritual expansion, multiple opinions and ideas, breaking down stereotypes, globalization, cultural education, practice the English language, help out one another, learning how to cooperate, grow as individuals and as a team.

2. 7cups is an international community that we enter in order to offer and receive support. We are all different so we owe to respect that others are different as well. The important thing is what we do, no matter how different we are. Entering here, we have the opportunity to break stereotypes as we see that people from different cultures all enter here to offer support and do their best. It's also a way to discover how evryone is different and learn from that. The goals that we set here are challenging and helping each other out is necessary, so we may not be that far mentally as we may think. After all, even in the same culture everyone of us has their differences and that's what makes each one of us special.

@Heather225

Questions:
Please list some advantages of a diverse team.

It provides you an opportunity to learn about different cultures, different beliefs, and different attitudes toward different issues, from mental health to relationships to food. It allows people to appreciate that there is more than just the community or country we live in, and that not everyone feels the same way about an issue.

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

Be patient when the tone of a conversation may appear harsh or blunt - different cultures have different approaches to conversations. Realize that roles in relationships and how marriage is approached can be very different compared to North America, or wherever you're from. Learn from them - ask questions.

@Skyglider

Yes, asking questions becomes crucial when we are learning and understanding new things (beliefs, behaviors, traditions, cultures, etc.) that differ from ours. This is how we avoid stereotyping. Thank you for your insights!

Please list some advantages of a diverse team.

Having a diverse team has sooo many benefits!! It makes a space for more creative ideas, allows for a wider range of support, and gives you new insight to things you may not have learned about.

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

We can be respectful by rising above stereotypers, being respectful of others beliefs as well as time zones/flexibility! By rising above stereotypes we can make people feel accepted, and welcomed! When we are respectful of others beliefs and flexibility, we create a warming aura around ourselves. It shows we are thoughtful, and kind towards others!

@cocoakrispies121

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I love what you said about showing we are thoughtful and kind through being flexible and respectful.

@cocoakrispies121

Totally agree about the creating a warming aura around us. That's an idea I haven't seen yet. I love the creativity 🙂

Questions:
Please list some advantages of a diverse team.

A diverse team helps leaders become less biased and more open to all kinds of people. It can spur creativity and innovation. It can make our community more representative of all cultures.

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

Avoid stereotypical thinking, be sensitive to individual uniqueness of each culture and how it may affect the performance of team members. Offer flexible times that are consistent with the availability of the team member and the time zone they are in.

Activity: Please reply to 3 of your peers in this thread with encouraging or supportive words!

Please list some advantages of a diverse team.

Having a diverse team is always good because it can increase creativity and bring in new ideas. There are so many cultures that there's always something new to learn and incorporate.

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

Just be mindful of what you say to other people. Everybody is different and that's always okay. We should always give everyone a chance to have their voices heard.

@anotherfrenchtoastmafiaa

Thanks for your post. I love the clear, simple way you phrased your advice for being respectful of other cultures. If everyone followed that advice the world would be a better place.

@Heather225

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.

Remember to be respectful of other cultures and consider time zones

@lovelyParadise7651

Great way to put in concise terms. Well done 🙂

There are many, many advantages to a diverse team. Notably, with the increase in perspectives, the team can be more creative and innovative. A diverse team also allows us to reach further, to help more people from more backgrounds.

The easiest and first step in being respectful of different cultures is simply having the awareness that there are different cultures, and remaining open minded to the differences that my exist.

@Dinohorus

Thank you for your post, I agree that being open minded is very important.

Please list some advantages of a diverse team.

A diverse team benefits us as individuals and the whole 7 Cups community. On a personal level interacting with people from different cultures helps us to learn more about the world and become more open minded. On a community level, diversity means a wider skill set and different perspective which can increase innovation and creativity in the community. Having people from different cultures and timezones increases 7 Cups' reach and helps us support more people.

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

We must be aware that people from different cultures may have different knowledge, experiences and beliefs from our own and we must bear this in mind when interacting with people. However, we must never assume that because someone is from a particular culture they will act a certain way or hold certain beliefs, i.e. stereotyping. We should also be aware of practical issues, for example being in different time zones, having English as a second language or speaking a different variant and taking breaks for different holidays.

@Gozzil

It's very insightful to highlight the diversity advantages on personal and community level. Thank you for sharing!

Please list some advantages of a diverse team.

It drives innovation, you can learn off different skill sets, wider creativity and productivity.

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

Being mindful of time zones, rise above the Sterotyoes, be mindful of people's personal beliefs and don't attempt to challenge them, don't use slang native to your country, use simpler terms if there is a possible way to do so to help others who maybe English isn't their first language..

@Azalea98

Not using slang is an important point! People who are not fluent in slang could feel excluded or lost, and it's best to keep to proper English, especially as leaders. I often find that this also applies to newbies, who may be unfamiliar with cups lingo.

Please list some advantages of a diverse team.

It drives innovation, you can learn off different skill sets, wider creativity and productivity.

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

Being mindful of time zones, rise above the Sterotyoes, be mindful of people's personal beliefs and don't attempt to challenge them, don't use slang native to your country, use simpler terms if there is a possible way to do so to help others who maybe English isn't their first language..

Sorry about this my WiFi messed up and it posted it twice

@Heather225

-1) allow us to learn each other cultures and beliefs
2) we could learn different languages to add our knowledge.
3) teaching us to be considerate.

- use appropriate words
-don't touch on religious beliefs
- welcome them with open hands
- no racism

@kdsyahirah

Interesting that you brought up learing different languages from each other. That would be a really cool initiative

@Heather225

Please list some advantages of a diverse team.

"When we listen and celebrate what is both common and different, we become a wiser, more inclusive, and better organization." - Pat Wadors

Advantages include - Varied perspectives, increased creativity, High innovation, Faster problem solving, Better decision making, learning about cultures, developing a wider range of skills

How can we be respectful of different cultures on 7 Cups?
We need to respect other's beliefs. We need to be open in mindset as much as possible. We need to give them spaces to breathe free, we need to let the diversity flourish in a healthy way. We need to respect the give and take of opinions, ideas, etc.