the smart pms blog http://thesmartpms.posterous.com Most recent posts at the smart pms blog posterous.com Wed, 01 Jun 2011 18:46:00 -0700 Cultural Competence http://thesmartpms.posterous.com/55230941 http://thesmartpms.posterous.com/55230941

The magazine  "Strategic Diversity & Inclusion Management" published the article co-authored by Mercedes Martin & Billy Vaughn in 2007 where cultural competence was discussed.

"Cultural competence refers to an ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures. Cultural competence comprises four components: (a) Awareness of one's own cultural worldview, (b) Attitude towards cultural differences, (c) Knowledge of different cultural practices and worldviews, and (d) cross-cultural skills. Developing cultural competence results in an ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people across cultures."

As projects reach globalization, culture plays a critical role during the project execution. In our role as project managers, the cultural risk needs to be identified as well as its associated mitigation plan. Developing cross cultural competences in today's world is a must and should include the understanding and adapting to different, communication properly across cultures and avoiding stereotypes. 

Project managers should prepare in advance and know the cultural environment that they will be facing to avoid odd situations.

In recent weeks. President Barack Obama suffered an awkward moment during a banquet at Buckingham Palace when he broke royal protocol by speaking over the national anthem. President Obama has been criticized by many TV talk shows and news anchors across the United States and perhaps around the world.

This is a good lesson for those project managers leading global teams who still doubt the usefulness of the cultural competence.

 

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