Last updated on Apr 2, 2024

What do you do if your professional relationships are strained in a diverse work environment?

Working in a diverse work environment can enrich your professional and personal growth, but it can also pose some challenges for your relationships with colleagues, clients, or partners. Different cultural backgrounds, values, beliefs, and norms can sometimes lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, or biases that can affect your performance and satisfaction. So, what do you do if your professional relationships are strained in a diverse work environment? Here are some tips to help you improve your cultural competency and build trust, respect, and collaboration.

1 Assess your own culture

The first step to overcome any relationship issues in a diverse work environment is to understand your own culture and how it shapes your worldview, communication style, and expectations. You can use tools like the Cultural Values Framework or the Intercultural Development Inventory to identify your cultural preferences and gaps. By becoming more aware of your own culture, you can also recognize your potential biases, stereotypes, or assumptions that may interfere with your interactions with others.

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Lisa Voorhees

Employment & Strategic Leadership Coach| Movitation Speaker| Human Resources
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Strained relationships in a diverse work environment are nothing new. We have all felt, at times, that others had unfair judgments or opinions of us. Working with a diverse group of people in different environments has taught me that everyone wants to feel valued and appreciated. As we work with others, remember that everyone has value and insight. It is critical that when differences surface and tensions mount, everyone responds with kindness and respect. The number one reason for tensions in the workplace is the lack of proper communication. Communication is key to overcoming obstacles, and how we respond is vital. As leaders, communicating and having a plan in place to resolve problems is essential to building relationships.

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2 Learn about other cultures

The second step to improve your professional relationships in a diverse work environment is to learn about the cultures of the people you work with. You can do this by reading, researching, asking questions, listening, observing, and participating in cultural events or activities. By learning about other cultures, you can gain a deeper appreciation of their perspectives, values, and behaviors. You can also avoid making cultural mistakes or offending others unintentionally.

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Laura O'Connell
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When individuals from multiple cultures work together, conflict typically arises from differences in communication styles, response times, and impressions. Communication is a process. Invest in intercultural training to mitigate the gap between miscommunication and tangible results. Ad an individual, take the time to learn about the culture of the people you are working with. One effective app is Hofstede Insights, where cultural dimensions can be viewed side by side with explanations. Attend or organize organizational events highlighting the culture you are trying to learn more about. This is a neutral place to start conversations and observe interactions between people from the same cultural background.

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3 Adapt your communication style

The third step to enhance your professional relationships in a diverse work environment is to adapt your communication style to suit different situations and audiences. You can do this by paying attention to verbal and non-verbal cues, using clear and simple language, avoiding jargon or slang, checking for understanding, and giving and receiving feedback. You can also use strategies like mirroring, paraphrasing, or summarizing to show empathy and rapport. By adapting your communication style, you can reduce misunderstandings, confusion, or conflicts.

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4 Manage conflicts constructively

The fourth step to strengthen your professional relationships in a diverse work environment is to manage any conflicts that may arise constructively. You can do this by acknowledging the problem, expressing your feelings and needs, listening to the other party's point of view, seeking common ground, and negotiating a solution. You can also use mediators, facilitators, or mentors to help you resolve disputes or grievances. By managing conflicts constructively, you can foster a positive and productive work culture.

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5 Seek feedback and support

The fifth step to boost your professional relationships in a diverse work environment is to seek feedback and support from others. You can do this by asking for suggestions, opinions, or advice from your colleagues, clients, or partners on how to improve your cultural competency and relationship skills. You can also seek support from your manager, human resources, or professional networks if you face any challenges or difficulties. By seeking feedback and support, you can learn from your experiences and grow as a professional.

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6 Celebrate diversity and inclusion

The sixth and final step to improve your professional relationships in a diverse work environment is to celebrate diversity and inclusion. You can do this by recognizing, appreciating, and valuing the contributions and achievements of people from different backgrounds, cultures, and identities. You can also promote diversity and inclusion by participating in initiatives, programs, or events that foster a sense of belonging, equity, and respect. By celebrating diversity and inclusion, you can build a strong and cohesive work community.

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Joshua Adum

--Archaeologist/ Cultural Resource Practitioner.
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Understanding people is key. Learn to appreciate people from different environment, religion and culture. Appluade them when they have done an excellent job and advise politely when they have gone out of place and keep tolerating, because we are not themselves as our faces, culture, religion and eviroment, so humans are.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if your professional relationships are strained in a diverse work environment?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Assess your own culture

2 Learn about other cultures

3 Adapt your communication style

4 Manage conflicts constructively

5 Seek feedback and support

6 Celebrate diversity and inclusion

7 Here’s what else to consider

Cultural Competency

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What do you do if your professional relationships are strained in a diverse work environment?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess your own culture

2 Learn about other cultures

3 Adapt your communication style

4 Manage conflicts constructively

5 Seek feedback and support

6 Celebrate diversity and inclusion

7 Here’s what else to consider

Cultural Competency

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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