Overview
When you’re traveling in another country, you start to realize that not everything is the same as your hometown; What food the citizens eat, how they go to work, and how they communicate with others. When this happens, you may experience a thing known as cultural shock. For that reason, it is important to have cultural awareness.
What is Cultural Awareness?
Cultural awareness involves raising people’s understanding of the influence our culture has on how we do things. Being culturally aware means being cognizant why cultural diversity is important and recognizing that not everyone will do things in the same way as we do. Moreover, being mindful of the diversity of others allows us to be more respectful to people of disparate backgrounds and cultures.
Importance of Cultural Awareness
However, why should being culturally aware be crucial to us? Well, in our personal lives, we find ourselves having to communicate with other people of different cultures. For example, during everyday interactions, succeeding in our careers or communicating empathetically and effectively with other people.
As daunting as it sounds, it is important we continue to thrive in improving our cultural awareness. Here are three key points why cultural awareness can be important in our everyday lives:
- Being Culturally Aware Creates An Inclusive Workplace
You’re likely to meet people coming from diverse backgrounds in the workplace, each with their own opinions and beliefs, which may sometimes seem to conflict with the company’s values.
Embracing cultural awareness can help you recognize how cultural differences can influence one’s perceptions. And therefore, helping us become more accommodating of different opinions.
Additionally, being empathetic and understanding can help create an inclusive environment that encourages creativity and innovation, while improving efficiency and profitability.
- Teaches Us How to Be Respectful to Other Cultures
Speaking directly to people from other cultures isn’t the only way to communicate and interact with them. We should also prioritize cultural awareness in other modes of communication, such as in:
- Marketing campaigns
- Product design
- Educational events
- Public speaking engagements
Hence, displaying our awareness of diverse cultures in a respectful way creates a unified society via supporting cultural differences and encouraging others to adopt the same gesture of respect.
- Cultural Awareness Influences Communication
While you may have control over what you personally say and how you say it, you can’t control how other people interpret your words. Misunderstandings in communication are common even among those who share the same native language and culture.
Imagine how much more the communication between people from different cultures may be susceptible to these misunderstandings, especially when it may involve someone who is speaking their second language.
After knowing how others may interpret your words, you can identify ways to communicate empathetically and effectively with diverse audiences. In addition, finding ways to minimize any potential misunderstandings.
Conclusion
It is evident that cultural awareness is very crucial to have and understand as it benefits every part of our lives. In light of this, having a mutual understanding and respect for other cultures is the significance of being culturally sensitive. Without it, war across countries of different backgrounds would probably kickstart more easily and every person would be confronted by judgment or prejudice.
References
Evolve Communities. (2024a, July 24). What is Cultural Awareness? The Importance of Becoming Culturally Sensitive and Aware. Evolve Communities Pty Ltd. https://www.evolves.com.au/what-is-cultural-awareness/
Evolve Communities. (2024c, July 25). Why is Cultural Awareness Important? Evolve Communities Pty Ltd. https://www.evolves.com.au/why-is-cultural-awareness-important/
