1. Coming to America: From Culture Shock to Appreciating Diversity
A Critically Reflective Journey by:
Cyrus Batheja, RN, PHn, MBA
OCTOBER 2, 2015 O

2. Introduction to the Concept “Culture”
The basic concept is:
Culture has 2 components: Subjective culture & objective culture
Subjective culture is the sum of psychological features, including assumptions, values, and patterns of thinking
Objective culture is made of the institutions and artifacts of a culture, such as its economic system, social customs, political structures and processes, arts, crafts, and literature

3. Introduction to the Concept “Culture” (cont’d)
Another way of looking at the concept of culture:
Basic Assumptions (implicit)
Norms & Values
(explicit)
Artifacts & Products
Our Assumptions about: Existence & Survival
The mutual sense as a group: Written laws, social control, what is good & bad, etc.
The observable reality: Language, food, buildings, monuments, fashions, etc.
Culture forms the root of our actions!
Culture is man-made, confirmed by others, conventionalized, and passed on to others!

4. Introduction to the Concept “Culture” (cont’d)
What happens when we leave our culture?
Culture 2
Culture 1
Culture 3
Multi-culture
(a mixture)
Living side-by-side
Living together
(cross-cultural interaction)

5. A Narrative about “Coming to America”
Beginnings
-Naturalization
-R.N.
-Care
Identifying gaps in social process
Building the Dream
-PHN
-MBA
-BSN
-Community Outcomes
Earning Creditability
2005
-Economics
-Innovation
-Learning
Striving for Success
-National Views
-Pop. Health
-Ed.D.
Entering New Domains
2010-Today

6. Learnings: “Coming to America”
Relationships are critical
Offer More Gratitude
Honestly and Integrity
Risks and Dreams
Crawl, Walk, Run

7. Tool: Synergistic Leadership Model
Place your name and mission in the center circle of the structure
Write important traits of your identity in each of the title of each satellite circle
List characteristics of the trait underneath
Identify connections
Equality and Inclusion
Cyrus
Family
Community
Healthcare
Care
Corporate Leader
Execution
Intention
Education
Leadership
Business
Person
Government
Innovation

8. Valuing Diversity/Multi-Culture
We live in a global village where diversity is inevitable
Through scrutinizing our own assumptions, we develop skills to interact freely with all people
We are challenged to be ambassadors of change by appreciating diversity.
Note: How we think about our life situations impacts how we feel and act towards others!

9. Conclusions Culture matters Cross-cultural life is beneficial
Engage in critical reflection
Respect, value, and hear (yourself and others)
Appreciate multiculturalism

10. After all … E pluribus unum --- Out of many, one Democratic process
of many states (or colonies) emerged a single nation (believed to be the original meaning)
Out of many peoples, races, religions, and ancestries emerged a single people and nation (how it’s used today)

11. I appreciate your joining in on the journey of critical reflection!
Thank YOU
I appreciate your joining in
on the journey of critical reflection!
~Cyrus

12. References
Brookfield, S. D. (1995). Becoming a critically reflective teacher. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Gorsky, P. C. (2012). Circles of multicultural self. Retrieved January 17, 2014, from
Lustig, M. W., & Koester, J. (1999). Intercultural competence: Interpersonal communication across cultures (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Addison Wesley Longman, Inc.
Reinsborough, P., & Canning, D. (2010). Re-Imagining Change. Oakland, CA: PM Press.
Rosen, R., Digh, P., Singer, M., & Phillips, C. (2000). Global literacies: Lessons on business leadership and national cultures. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.
Stewart, E. C., & Bennett, M. J. (1991). American cultural patterns: A cross-cultural perspective (2nd ed.). Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, Inc.
Trompenaars, F. (1994). Riding the waves of culture: Understanding diversity in global business. Burr Ridge, IL: Irwin Professional Publishing.
Wikipedia. (2014). E pluribus unum. Retrieved January 20, 2014, from