What is Cultural Competence?
Intercultural and cross cultural awareness training is slowly moving towards a behaviour centred approach. Businesses and organisations have realised that their personnel need more than facts and figures or dos and don'ts about people from different cultures.
Intercultural (or cross-cultural) competency is now the term being used to describe the ability to work across cultures through an instilled understanding of cultures on a general level in terms of communication and working styles. This occurs in tandem with behavioural and attitudinal changes.
What is Intercultural Competence Training?
Cultural competency training seeks to provide participants with an insight into how cultures differ.
Once this foundation has been set a facilitator then explores manifestations of culture in a number of settings, whether work or personal. Through greater self-awareness participants are encouraged to develop personal strategies that can be implemented when working across cultures.
Who is Intercultural Competence Training for?
Cultural competency training is critical for anyone working either internationally or in a multicultural environment. We provide training for public sector staff such as doctors and nurses as well as corporate staff working with either colleagues or clients from different cultural backgrounds.
The Benefits of Intercultural Competence
There are numerous benefits to cross cultural competency training. Ten of the most critical ones include:
1. Self-Awareness: People learn about their own strengths, weaknesses, prejudices and preconceptions.
2. Builds Confidence: Cultural competency training promotes self-confidence in individuals and teams through empowerment.
3. Breaks down Barriers: Our cultural training demystifies 'the other' and creates awareness.
4. Builds Trust: Awareness leads to dialogue which leads to understanding which results in trust.
5. Motivates: Through self-analysis people begin to recognise areas in which they need to improve and become motivated to develop.
6. Opens Horizons: Cultural competency training helps people think outside the box.
7. Develops Skills: Participants develop better 'people skills' - they begin to deal with people with sensitivity and empathy.
8. Develops Listening Skills: By becoming good listeners, people become good communicators.
9. Using Common Ground: Rather than focus on differences participants move towards creating a shared space.
10. Career Development: Cross cultural competence training enhances people's skills and therefore future employment opportunities.
How to Book a Course?
To discuss how we can help you please Contact Us or visit our Cultural Awareness Courses page for more information online.
