Valuing Diversity: Mexico Cultural Appreciation Series

2 Training Goals By the end of this training, you will have a better understanding of diversity By the end of this training, you will have a better understanding of diversity You will also have a better appreciation of key Hispanic cultural values found in our Mexico site You will also have a better appreciation of key Hispanic cultural values found in our Mexico site You will also have a better understanding of how these values impact our workplace environment, including strategies for applying this understanding You will also have a better understanding of how these values impact our workplace environment, including strategies for applying this understanding Enjoy learning about the considerations Enjoy learning about the considerations and advantages surrounding diversity! and advantages surrounding diversity!

3 Table of Contents: What’s Inside? What is Diversity? 4 What is Diversity? 4 Why is Diversity Important? 5 Why is Diversity Important? 5 Understanding Values 6 Understanding Values 6 Values: Cooperation 7 Values: Cooperation 7 Values: Time Orientation 8 Values: Time Orientation 8 Leadership in a Global Workplace 9 Leadership in a Global Workplace 9 Reflection: Diversity Strategies10 Reflection: Diversity Strategies10 Congratulations! 11 Congratulations! 11 Want to Learn More? 12 Want to Learn More? 12 References13 References13

4 What is Diversity? According to BusinessDictionary.com, diversity is: According to BusinessDictionary.com, diversity is: Feature of a mixed workforce that provides… Feature of a mixed workforce that provides… a wide range of abilities, experience, knowledge, and strengths due to its… a wide range of abilities, experience, knowledge, and strengths due to its… [variety of ] age, background, ethnicity, physical abilities, political and religious beliefs, sex, and other attributes [variety of ] age, background, ethnicity, physical abilities, political and religious beliefs, sex, and other attributes

5 Why is Diversity Important? Mesh Cultural Cultural Differences Differences EnhanceProductivity Gupta source: Gupta(2008, October)

6 Understanding Values We all have things are that most important to us – a foundation we believe in and value most We all have things are that most important to us – a foundation we believe in and value most Our culture, our upbringing and our experiences shape our values Our culture, our upbringing and our experiences shape our values A few key values of the Hispanic culture follow. As we go through them, consider the following: A few key values of the Hispanic culture follow. As we go through them, consider the following: How are these values similar to or different from mine? How are these values similar to or different from mine? How can I communicate better when working with Mexico site employees? How can I communicate better when working with Mexico site employees?

7 Values: Cooperation Hispanics believe that Family and Community take precedence over the individual Hispanics believe that Family and Community take precedence over the individual During a crisis, all community members get together and offer help During a crisis, all community members get together and offer help If one Hispanic student has a problem, all within the group will show sympathy and offer help If one Hispanic student has a problem, all within the group will show sympathy and offer help Reporting to teachers about their peer's bad behavior is bad, while copying each other's homework is not a bad behavior Reporting to teachers about their peer's bad behavior is bad, while copying each other's homework is not a bad behavior Cooperative learning is better; Hispanics depend on each other's contribution Cooperative learning is better; Hispanics depend on each other's contribution Zhang (2001) source: Zhang (2001)

8 Values: Time Orientation Hispanics are involved more in the Present rather than the future Hispanics are involved more in the Present rather than the future Ideas of punctuality or planning for the future may be unimportant Ideas of punctuality or planning for the future may be unimportant In school tardiness is one of the major problems for Hispanic children. It is hard for them to turn in homework and assignments on time In school tardiness is one of the major problems for Hispanic children. It is hard for them to turn in homework and assignments on time Communicating a real sense of urgency to Hispanics may seem more difficult initially Communicating a real sense of urgency to Hispanics may seem more difficult initially Zhang (2001) source: Zhang (2001)

9 Leadership in a Global Workplace Take Action: be a leader and make diversity a part of your work day, today and every day! Take Action: be a leader and make diversity a part of your work day, today and every day! Decide to be a team leader in a global culture Decide to be a team leader in a global culture Work virtually Work virtually Know your personal style and anticipate how you will be perceived Know your personal style and anticipate how you will be perceived Gupta (2008, October) source: Gupta (2008, October)

10 Reflection: Diversity Strategies What specific every-day work day changes might you now make with our Mexico Site? What specific every-day work day changes might you now make with our Mexico Site? What adjustments in your phone conversations or might you now make? What adjustments in your phone conversations or might you now make? What adjustments to putting together or managing meetings might you make? What adjustments to putting together or managing meetings might you make? What adjustments might you make as a team member or champion of a new multi-site project team? What adjustments might you make as a team member or champion of a new multi-site project team?

11 Congratulations! You have now learned much more about diversity, including the following: The importance of diversity, values and leadership in our global workplace The importance of diversity, values and leadership in our global workplace Strategies to apply important diversity concepts and lessons in your life and at your workplace

12 Want to Learn More? For more information on diversity, try these websites: For more information on diversity, try these websites: Diversity & Ethnic Studies Recommended Websites & Research Diversity & Ethnic Studies Recommended Websites & Research Diversity Diversity

13 References Business.Dictionary.com. ( ). Retrieved October 20, 2008, from Business.Dictionary.com. ( ). Retrieved October 20, 2008, from Gupta, Sangeeta. (2008, October). Mine the Potential Of Multicultural Teams. HRMagazine, 53(10), 79-80,82,84. Retrieved October 20, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Complete database. (Document ID: ). Gupta, Sangeeta. (2008, October). Mine the Potential Of Multicultural Teams. HRMagazine, 53(10), 79-80,82,84. Retrieved October 20, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Complete database. (Document ID: ). Zhang, Jian X. (2001). Cultural diversity in instructional design. International Journal of Instructional Media, 28(3), 299. Retrieved October 20, 2008, from Research Library database. (Document ID: ). Zhang, Jian X. (2001). Cultural diversity in instructional design. International Journal of Instructional Media, 28(3), 299. Retrieved October 20, 2008, from Research Library database. (Document ID: ).