The Diversity Advantage: 10 Tips for Finding Your Voice and Standing Out in a Multicultural Workplace
Did you know that some of the world's most successful companies, including Google, SpaceX, Uber, Zoom, Intel, WhatsApp, eBay, PayPal, and YouTube, were founded by immigrants with big dreams and ambitions? Today, many professionals move to different countries for work, with approximately 28% of high-skilled workers in America and Canada, and 30% in Europe being immigrant professionals. They make up a significant and valuable part of the high-skilled labour force in many countries around the world, leading to an increasing number of cross-cultural teams that make intercultural competency more important.
If you are a professional working in a different country than your own, like myself, this article is specifically for you! In this article, we explore how you can use your diversity as an advantage. By finding your unique voice, you can stand out in the diverse multicultural workplace.
Here are ten tips to help you navigate and thrive in your multicultural workplace:
1- Navigating Your Way Between Home and a New Culture
To excel in a new environment, it's crucial to understand the norms and practices of where you are. This applies not only to work ethics but also to communication styles.
Work Ethics:
When it comes to work ethics, it's important to familiarize yourself with the values and communication practices of your hosting country. Don't assume that everything is the same as in your home country. Different cultures may have different approaches to business ethics and values.
Communication Style:
In addition to work ethics, communication style is also an important factor to consider. For instance, in some countries like the Middle East, people tend to use a more formal language in both verbal and written communication. They may use surnames when addressing someone, even in a business setting. However, in Western countries, people generally adopt a more casual and friendly communication style. It's common to use first names and even sign-off emails with "cheers."
By being mindful of these differences and adapting accordingly, you can establish positive relationships and avoid misunderstandings. Ultimately, taking the time to learn about and appreciate the customs of your hosting country can help you thrive both personally and professionally.
2- Get Yourself Best of Both Worlds
When you immigrate, you will notice many differences from what you were accustomed to before. Some of these differences you will love, while others you may not appreciate as much. You may choose to adopt some new ways while ditching aspects of your own culture that no longer resonate with you. This applies not only to work but all aspects of your new life. As time passes, you will become a hybrid of where you come from and where you are right now. Eventually, it will all become a part of you, and you may not even realize what's from which culture.
Instead of focusing on the negatives, it's essential to concentrate on the positives and get the best of both worlds. Embrace your unique identity that makes you different from your co-workers. Your diversity is your magic element that sets you apart.
To make the most of your diversity, it's crucial to be open-minded. Be receptive to different perspectives and ways of doing things. Flexibility and adaptability are essential in a multicultural workplace.
3- It’s a Matter of Attitude
It all comes down to your attitude. How can you leverage diversity to your advantage?
While it's true that you may face discrimination and racism due to differences in culture and background, it's important to remember that these negative attitudes often stem from ignorance or fear of the unknown.
In my personal experience, I've found that how people treat me is largely influenced by my own attitude and self-confidence, as well as how I present myself. By embracing your unique qualities and showing pride in your background, you can inspire others to celebrate diversity and break down barriers. Remember that you have the power to shape the narrative and change perceptions.
4- Develop Your Communication Style
To excel in a multicultural workplace, it's crucial that you focus on developing your communication skills. Effective communication is vital in such an environment. You can start by improving your active listening and speaking abilities to ensure your message is clear and concise.
However, effective communication is not just about accuracy; it's also about attitude. Therefore, once you have mastered the fundamentals of communication, you should work on your tone of voice, confidence, and overall attitude.
It's important to understand that every individual has a unique communication style. You should find your own style and perfect it to build strong relationships with colleagues from diverse backgrounds. Investing in your communication skills can create a positive and productive work environment that values diversity and inclusivity.
Remember, your communication style can make a significant impact on your success in a multicultural workplace. By developing your communication skills, you can effectively convey your ideas, build trust with your colleagues, and foster a collaborative work culture.
5- Accent:
Accent and pronunciation can often make people feel less confident when communicating in a foreign language. However, as a professional language coach who works with many individuals, I can assure you that having a flawless accent is not necessary for success. In fact, most of my clients who require accent training are in the entertainment industry.
Rather than feeling self-conscious about their accent, successful people embrace their unique way of speaking and use it to their advantage. Just look at successful individuals such as Penelope Cruz, Sofia Vergara, Gino d’ Acampo, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Antonio Banderas, who have all achieved success despite having accents.
Sofia Vergara - Modern Family
Remember, your accent is part of who you are and can add to your individuality and charm. So instead of worrying about sounding perfect, focus on expressing yourself clearly and effectively. By doing so, you can build confidence and communicate with ease in any language.
6- Embrace Your Uniqueness:
Be proud of your unique background and experiences that made you the person you are today.
Your distinct qualities are an incredible asset you can use to your advantage. It enables you to bring a fresh perspective and a unique set of skills to the table.
Rather than trying to blend in with the crowd, your diverse background can be the very thing that sets you apart from others and makes you a valuable member of the team. So don't be afraid to embrace it!
Sometimes it can be the way you do business back home or something you’ve heard somewhere else. If it helps you, make a list of your unique strengths, and plan different ways to use them to impress your team!
7- Building Meaningful Relationships
Find your “crew”! A group of colleagues that you like, and build real meaningful relationships with them. It can all start from a small talk at the coffee machine. When you surround yourself with “friends” you will feel more connected, comfortable and confident when you’re expressing your thoughts and opinions. And it makes it easier to feel more collaborative in group tasks to have a supportive work environment.
It shouldn’t all be work-related. You can share stories about your country or chat about your shared interests, hobbies, or even your favourite TV shows. Show interest in their lives outside of work, like their family, pets, or hobbies.
Remember though, don’t overshare! Never share private or sensitive information with work-related colleagues, and never ask personal questions either! At the end of the day, they are your colleagues, not your best buddies.
8- Seek a Mentor
Find yourself an “ally” that has been working in your company for a long time! Someone that can be your mentor and give you some valuable inside information. They can give you advice on navigating relationships with colleagues from different backgrounds, warn you of possible challenges and how to deal with them, and most importantly offer tips on how you can excel in your role.
A good mentor can offer insight into company culture, provide you with honest feedback on your performance and help you identify areas for improvement. You can tap into their knowledge and expertise that can help you develop your skills to grow in your career. And finally, your ally can introduce you to the right people in the company, and other professionals in your field.
9- Take Initiative
If you want to stand out from the crowd in, take initiative and show off your unique talents. Proactively look for opportunities for projects that align with your skills and interests and volunteer.
Employee resource groups are also a great opportunity to connect with colleagues who share your interests and cultural background. You can learn from their experiences and gain new insights into different cultures.
Taking initiative requires courage and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone. But by doing so, you can demonstrate your value to the company and stand out among your colleagues.
10-Speak Up!
Speak up and show your talent! At the meetings, don’t hesitate to speak up and share your thoughts and ideas. Remember, you’re bringing a unique perspective to the table that can add tremendous value to your team as well as contribute to a more diverse and inclusive workplace. Your experiences, skills, and background can offer fresh insights and approaches that others may not have considered before.
By expressing your ideas and perspectives, you can also challenge the status quo and bring about positive change. Your contribution can lead to new solutions, innovations, and opportunities for growth.
Always stand up for yourself and never tolerate any form of discrimination or racism. If someone tries to diminish you, speak up and assert yourself. By doing so, you can make it clear that such behaviour is not acceptable and create a more respectful and equitable environment.
Finding your unique voice and style is essential in earning respect from others. By being confident in your abilities and ideas, you can make a positive impact and gain the recognition you deserve.
GOOD LUCK!
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