As a growing career person, one of the muscles you need to build is that of efficient cross-cultural interaction. You will be required to meet and work with people from diverse background, and it is important to succeed in this area of your competence.

The concept of cross-cultural competence was used in a 2007 US Army Research Institute paper by Allison Abbe et al, to describe why army officers must be proven competent in managing inter-cultural engagements. The authors argued that “Military operations increasingly require Soldiers to interact with individuals and groups whose cultural context differs from their own…” This argument is also true of today’s corporate space.

Friend, you cannot be overtly stitched to your culture and customs if you want to thrive in today’s society. There must be an effort to expand your breadth of warmth to accommodate the differences of other people’s culture and customs. And there are four broad areas of this competence to be developed as recommended by civicwell.org.

First, awareness of one’s own cultural worldview. Being aware of your own cultural nuances and how they play a role in your worldview and your overall personality is the first place to start. Have you been able to draw the lines connecting your personality, preferences and overall worldview to some of your cultural identities?

Next, knowledge of different cultural practices and worldviews. You need to know, from your immediate context, what the culture of others are, as well as their unique worldviews. You can’t respect what you don’t know.

Thirdly, attitude towards cultural differences. Keeping an open and accepting attitude towards other cultures is the easiest way to show respect. You are not necessarily expected to practice other people’s customs if they do not agree with yours, but there must be room to show respect.

Lastly, cross-cultural communication skills. Making an effort to communicate and cooperate effectively with other cultures is a top skill in today’s corporate space.

Friend, you are a global citizen, get used to it. Thinking you can only get along with people of your own culture and customs is drawing the line too close. Open your mind and be willing to thrive even in a multicultural office. You already have what it takes, so step out of your shell. Cheers.