In contemporary realia, cultural awareness is unquestionably one of the most relevant notions emphasizing the value of effective communication by understanding culture. Acknowledging that people come from different cultural origins and have distinct values is the essence of cultural awareness (Shepherd, 2019). What some people would view as “acceptable” behavior in one nation may not be the same in another. Therefore, this thesis examines the idea of cultural awareness as self-awareness, respect, and professional competence.
Self-Awareness and Respect Toward Others
Being self-aware entails having cultural awareness. Even without knowledge about different cultures, knowing something about one’s culture and how it has influenced a person will go a long way toward improving the ability to interact with individuals from various backgrounds. Self-awareness also helps people operate more seamlessly across cultural boundaries by preventing them from projecting their norms onto others. Being culturally conscious also entails respecting other people’s traditions and coming to terms with the fact that not everyone lives their lives in the same way.
Professional Competence
On the other hand, cultural awareness is an essential skill that people strive to acquire for the sake of their operational competence. Many companies, infrastructures, and even healthcare are affected by prejudice and cultural differences across people. Therefore, it is hoped that educating on the ideologies, norms, and behaviors of cultural minority customers will improve professionals’ ability to comprehend clients and lessen overall disparities in the process. The cultural awareness market currently generates billions of dollars a year in revenue and has become a worldwide phenomenon. Cultural sensitivity training is widespread and frequently required in many industries. Its concepts are incorporated into businesses’ and governments’ mission statements and strategies. Personnel departments make ensuring that staff members follow these procedures.
Reference
Shepherd, S. M. (2019). Cultural awareness workshops: limitations and practical consequences. BMC Medical Education, 19(1). Web.