Diversity, Equity & Inclusion For Dummies

Chapter 17

Enhancing Cultural Competence

IN THIS CHAPTER

Defining and understanding cultural competence

Comparing cultural humility and cultural intelligence

Examining the seven continuums of culture

Figuring out your own cultural orientation

Determining what’s most important in order to lead with cultural competence

Culture is predictable behaviors and beliefs among a defined group of people, as I explain in Chapter 3. These groups can include examples like the following:

• Companies and organizations, defined by their employers
• Industries, defined by the kind of work they do
• Racial and ethnic groups, defined by origin or background as well as common experiences of privilege/oppression
• Religious groups, defined by their faith
• Other types of marginalized people (such as those in the LGBTQ community and people with disabilities), defined by common experience
• Nationalities, defined by citizenship

You may be part of four or more defined groups at once that exhibit predictable behaviors ...