Developing Leadership Cultural Agility for Civil Discourse

Cultural Agility

The pattern of speech and expressed thoughts, choice of language, and topics of national discussions all impact perceptions of self and of others (Whillock, 2002). Part of those perceptions relate to cultural differences. People use a variety of styles to communicate, and based upon these routinely used patterns of speech and stance on issues, assumptions are made as to the individual’s macro features such as gender or ethnicity (Wilson, 2013).

As global corporations continue to hire employees from around the world, individual cultures are merging with organizational ones. Adults already in the workforce are learning to adapt to the cross-cultural engagements, but without the proper education or training to promote the cultural adaptability, efforts to produce positive corporate results may fail.