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Am I Really Bias-Free? Becoming Culturally Competent!

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Learning Objectives

• Am I fully aware of how my culture and the other person’s culture may influence our communication?

• Consider your cultural competency: Do I consistently listen to all people with an open mind, free from bias?

The “bottom line” is that you become: ….more empathetic & respectful.

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Definition of Culture

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‘... the set of attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors shared by a group of people, but different for each individual, communicated from one generation to the next.’

Matsumoto 1996

Definition of Cultural Competence

“Refers to the process by which individuals and systems respond

respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, languages,

classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, disabilities, religions,

genders, sexual orientation and other diversity factors in a

manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth of

individuals, families and communities and protects and

preserves the dignity of each.” (OAR 415-056-0005)

Excerpt from Oregon Health Authority

The Bottom Line: improve communication, collaboration and commitment between all people. And there is no finish line.

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Respect

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Dimensions of Diversity

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Let’s look in the mirror…

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Assessing Your Own & Others’ Culture

• Values = Compassion, Competence, Excellence, Relationships

• Beliefs = Do onto others; need to be on time; need to be productive; know right from wrong

• Behaviors = Listening, Speaking, Thinking, Feeling, Acting, Learning

• Biases– show up late – doesn’t make eye contact – doesn’t speak English well

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EXERCISE - Listening

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Implicit/Unconscious Bias

“Attitudes &

stereotypes that are

not consciously

accessible through

introspection.”

Kang, 2012

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negative associations

Self-Awareness

• How aware are you of your: thinking, feelings and actions? Consciously vs. unconsciously?

• How about your values and beliefs?

• Have you ever stopped yourself and said, “I’m acting just like my Mom or Dad”.

• You come upon a situation and your head says one thing and your heart says another.

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Heart Energy

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Defining Empathy

• Recognizing, understanding and appreciating how other people feel

• Being able to articulate your understanding of another’s perspective

• Behaving in a way that respects others’ feelings

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C.A.R.E. Model

• C Consider before you act

• A Accept differences in others

• R Respect others’ feelings

• E Engage in the process

(continuing education, self-reflection and improvement))

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My hope for you….

• Aware (of your own cultural values and biases)

• Empathetic (with others and their culture & perspectives)

• Become an Advocate for cultural competence…– Will continue your

development journey– Will help create systems

& a positive attitude in your organization

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Review our Learning Objectives

• Am I fully aware of how my culture and the other person’s culture may influence our communication?

• Consider your cultural competency: Do I consistently listen to all people with an open mind, free from bias?

The “bottom line” is that you become: ….more empathetic & respectful.

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