BY MARCELEEN WURST , CENTURY 21 GULF COAST REALTY
C ommunication and understanding are risky propositions , even in the best of circumstances . So much depends on each party ’ s ability to slip into the minds of each other . The risks of misunderstanding grow exponentially as we fold in the growing cultural diversity of the world we live in . The wrong word , gesture , or impression can have serious business consequences such as lost clients / tenants , lost relationships , and lost opportunities .
The main challenge is stepping outside of your own comfort zones of race , religion , color , even sexual orientation , to recognize the talents , capabilities , and potential contributions of people that lie behind your traditional triggers of acceptance . Managers can improve their skills in cross-cultural acceptance by taking a hard look at their own cultural conditioning , examining their experiences with other cultures and watching for the feelings of discomfort that can signal bias . Then , and here is the hard part , they must use this information to modify their approach to communication .
Every successful real estate brokerage recognizes the value of maintaining a multicultural workforce that mirrors the communities they serve . But recognizing its value and actively working to create a multicultural environment are two different propositions .
Let ’ s be clear - I am not suggesting diversity for diversity ’ s sake . Rather , I am suggesting policies that will contribute to long term success . With a growing number of foreign investors from Asia , Latin America , and Europe targeting U . S . real estate assets , along with the cultural shifts taking place in neighborhoods around the country , sensitivity to cultural differences is critical .
And let ’ s also be frank . I know that as a Realtor ® I can do more in my own company to further the cause of that longrange success . True integration is a journey , a process , not a destination .
The path starts with the following :
• Recognition of the abundant diversity of cultures
• Respect for the differences
• Acknowledging the validity of different cultural expressions and contributions
• Empowering people to strengthen themselves by being critical of their own biases
It ’ s impossible to understand and embrace all the communication nuances from all the world ’ s cultures . But in today ’ s global business environment , in order to work effectively across cultural boundaries , we must communicate respect for the customs , habits , and rituals of others - especially for the people who work with us . As we become more aware of these differences and more skilled at communicating across those cultures , we become better , more effective leaders .
RPCRA . ORG | SEP / OCT 2018 15