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In Transcultural Leadership, the authors said that culture was
ethnocentric by nature and made a group of people unique. Given these
premises, they then provided a theoretical overview of how to lead effectively
across cultures. After reading that book, I began searching for practical
books that would serve as catalysts in helping me to design seminars with
a focus on increasing intercultural awareness. My company, Creating...®'s
primary method for accomplishing our mission, is to design and run seminars
that meet the specific organizational development needs of corporations.
In addition, one of my personal professional development goals is to hone
my skills to become a better and better facilitator. Improving Intercultural
Interactions: Modules for Cross-Cultural Training Programs Volume 2
gave me what I wanted. As described on the back cover, it is a "...pragmatic
text that deals with concerns specific to intercultural experiences in
counseling." The position they take regarding culture supports that
of the Transcultural Leadership authors and is clearly communicated
by Milton Bennett:
"Intercultural sensitivity is not natural. It is
not part of our primate past, nor has it characterized most of human history.
Cross-cultural contact usually has been accompanied by bloodshed, oppression,
or genocide.... Education and training in intercultural communication
is an approach to changing our "natural" behavior. With the
concepts and skills developed in this field, we ask learners to transcend
traditional ethnocentrism and to explore new relationships across cultural
boundaries. This attempt at change must be approached with the greatest
possible care." (Cushner & Brislin, p.1) |
