Skilled Migrant Professionals December 2015 | Page 34

Diversity

Cross-Cultural
Awareness
By Maryam Omari
Associate Professor at
Edith Cowan University
School of Business

Challenges and opportunities for
professional migrants

T

here is a majority of Australians who claim British heritage,
however, Australia has become the most immigrant-influenced nation in the world. About 25 per cent of the estimated
population was born in another nation, and roughly an equal percentage of citizens come from families in which at least one parent
was born elsewhere. Australians now trace their heritage to 165
nationalities.
There is no question the Australian population is unique and
diverse. Refugees, professionals, and business migrants have converged on Australia from the four corners of the world, many in
search of a better life. The resultant multi-cultural nation is one
where inherent differences in the population can be seen as a competitive advantage for the country, but also a limitation in the absence of tolerance, acceptance and true understanding.
Migrants bring with them their own culture and heritage, and
from business, to food, entertainment, science, sports, and the arts,
they have enriched many aspects of Australian life. In a multicultural
society such as Australia it is easy to see why misunderstandings or
conflict can easily arise due to different norms and frames of reference, as behaviours expected and accepted in one culture, may not
be so in another.
Outsiders in any setting, personal or professional, may have difficulty accurately perceiving, understanding and responding to behaviours emanating from deep-seated values that they may not
have had exposure to before. This can lead to misunderstanding,
confusion, feeling threatened, and possibly conflict, which can result in a potential increase in negative and inappropriate behaviours
in personal and work settings.

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www.smpmagazine.com.au | December 2015

Human nature is such that most people are comfortable with notions that are known to them, as this provides certainty and stability. Differences, in behaviour and conduct, can cause uncertainty,
and will require the ability to see multiple potential perspectives. In
a multi-cultural nation such as Australia, tolerance, understanding,
and eventually acceptance come from the ability to appreciate and
reconcile differences.
In order to continue to grow and prosper Australia – more than
ever before – is reliant on the influx of migrants bringing with
them technical know-how and/or wealth. The nation is, however,
not able to maximise the benefits of this diversity without a deep
appreciation of different value systems, attitudes and behaviours.
Cross-cultural awareness is a key strategy to ensure synergies in the
workplace, and to benefit individuals, organisations and the nation
alike. Organisations seeking to maximise the benefits of their diverse workforce must invest in cross-cultural training to educate
their workforce.
Cross-cultural competence is a key attribute required not only
of expatriate employees, but increasingly of all members of modern societies, especially for those in multicultural environments.
The potential for synergies, creative problem solving, innovation
and advancements may not be realised in a globalised world if
different individuals and groups do not develop an appreciation,
a better and deeper understanding, and an acceptance of different ways.

NEW TITLE BY ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OMARI:
Workplace abuse, incivility and bullying:
Methodological and Cultural perspectives
www.tandf.net/books/details/9781138825802/