Cultural competencies, an essential element for job success

Currently, the world of work is very competitive. In the selection process, more than titles and experience are valued. Competencies are also taken into account. Ones that various sectors have been focusing on are cultural competencies, because they are seen as an essential element for job success.

Today we will tell you what these competitions are about, why companies increasingly emphasize them, in what fields they may be necessary and how they have to do with awareness and adaptation. Go deeper with us!

Cultural competencies, what are they about?

Before we focus on cultural competencies, let’s define what a competency is. These are all those abilities, knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and skills that are defined by an organization. They must be in tune with the company’s values ​​and management, in addition, respect its limits and enhance productivity.

Now, what is a cult competition? These are skills, knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and skills that make it easier for a person to work effectively in various intercultural contexts.

Furthermore, according to the qualitative study by Saavedra Macías, Bascón Díaz, Arias Sánchez and Español, published in the Psicoperspectivas Magazine, Cultural competencies are a multidimensional concept, let’s see:

Legal-Administrative Nature. It has to do with policies and legislation.Organizational. It is related to flexible resources that are permeable to the characteristics of different communities.Individual. It is related to the professional’s abilities to develop taking into account cultural diversity.Cognitive. It requires critical reflection on the world and the position a person or organization occupies.

cultural competencies, They are also processes that are not linear and that require sensitivity and empathy. To be effective, “each person, system, institution or program faces certain setbacks and achieves specific goals in each of the stages” (Martínez, Martínez and Calzado, 2006).

Cultural competencies today

Nowadays, work is more diversified. On the one hand, because globalization has allowed the movement of people to other countries; on the other hand, since new technologies make it easier for us to be connected with different parts of the world.

These situations mean that every time The worker must be more contextualized in terms of other cultures. Likewise, organizations and institutions. Even at a legal and political level.

Let’s imagine a multinational that has employees from different countries, how should the company approach its employees? Let’s think about a worker who works remotely and has never been to the country where the company is located; However, he must work as a team. These are just two of the thousands of examples that show the importance of cultural competencies.

On the other hand, Increasingly, the world tends to be inclusive and tolerant of diversity. Without sociocultural competencies, it is impossible for us to make that world possible. Now, these skills may be required in various fields:

Organizations.Health.Public policies.Pedagogy.Teleworking.Legal field.

According to Martínez, Martinez and Calzado (2006) to have these competencies It is necessary that we have knowledge of the culture of the users, the impact of racism and poverty on behavior, attitudes, disabilities and values, impact of policies, resources, power relations and the impact of policies.

Adaptation as a tool

Adaptation is the essence of developing cultural competencies, since it requires accommodation, or acquiescence to various circumstances or conditions, according to the Royal Spanish Academy of Language. This means that the individual or organization must have the ability to enter the context with respect, be sensitive to it and understand the dynamics to adjust.

The adaptation process is a valuable tool of cultural competencies, To develop it, we must take into account the following:

Communicate precisely, adapting to the language of the culture in which we are or who we are with. Learn from other cultures. Value the diversity of meanings and discuss differences in a tolerant way and showing examples from other cultures, avoiding misunderstandings. Target resources in favor of minority groups. Investigate cultural issues. Recognize and combat what goes against other cultures, for example, racism, stereotypes, myths, etc.

Also, encourage the empowerment of other cultures and be inclusive. This requires the person in a cultural encounter to take intergroup variability into account. In addition, it integrates: the value of diversity, continuous self-assessment in relation to its interaction with other cultures, having cultural knowledge, and reflecting intercultural pluralism, addressing the associated needs.

Awareness is one of the keys

Awareness makes it easier for a person with cultural competencies to reflect the knowledge derived in values, attitudes and behaviors. A person with these skills is in contact with the deepest part of his being, to avoid prejudices towards other cultures and deepen their cultural approach. Furthermore, he is aware of the values ​​of his own culture, which allows him to distance himself from beliefs that promote inequality.

In that sense, it is open to not impose their cultural values ​​and rather be assertive when interacting with other cultures. This does not mean that you give up your identity, what you need is to respect and be sensitive to other types of life, beliefs, ways of making decisions and solving problems. To do this, you can include your own values, but without imposing them, rather, promoting harmony, empathy, learning and cooperation.

In summary, Cultural competencies are a process that is built little by little and that is closely related to the development of each individual or organization. It requires appreciating different ways of seeing, developing, customs, practices, attitudes and beliefs; This does not mean accepting everything, but rather being in harmony with others and knowing how to communicate assertively, favoring integration and inclusion.

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