| IntroductionIn 21st Century and in the era of | | | | ethnicity. The task at the third level of intercultural |
| Knowledge Based Industry when global market in | | | | sensitivity is to learn more about our own culture and |
| shrinking cross culture adaptation is not only a MUST | | | | to avoid projecting that culture onto other people's |
| but is only a mantra to succeed. In my previous two | | | | experience.This stage is particularly difficult to pass |
| employments, we had 15 and 24 nationals | | | | through when one cultural group has vast and |
| respectively from different countries and many of | | | | unrecognized privileges when compared to other |
| our people from India go on Deputation to other | | | | groups. This problem is so invisible that persons in |
| countries and many of them face challenges to | | | | mainstream agencies are often mystified when |
| cope-up with the cultural change...behavioral | | | | representatives of ethnic minorities consistently |
| change.Understanding Intercultural SensitivityWhy you | | | | withdraw from collaborative activities.4. A reasonable |
| need to go out, India is a country with "Diversity in | | | | goal for many mainstream agencies is to ensure that |
| Culture". This diversity is the result of the | | | | all staff achieve at least the fourth developmental |
| coexistence of a number of religions as well as local | | | | level in intercultural sensitivity. The fourth stage in |
| traditions.The beautiful temples of south India, easily | | | | Bennett's model requires us to be able to shift |
| identifiable by their ornately sculptured surface, in the | | | | perspective, while still maintaining our commitments to |
| desert of Kutch, Gujarat, on the other hand, the local | | | | values. The task in this stage is to understand that |
| folk pit themselves against the awesome forces of | | | | the same behavior can have different meanings in |
| nature, in the extreme north is the high altitude | | | | different cultures. The comparisons that follow in the |
| desert of Ladakh, Local culture is visibly shaped by | | | | Toolkit can be particularly helpful for staff of |
| the faith - Buddhism - as well as by the harsh | | | | mainstream agencies to improve their intercultural |
| terrain.With over one billion citizens, India is the | | | | sensitivity in this stage of development. In order for |
| second most populous nation in the world. It is | | | | collaboration to be successful long-term, this stage of |
| impossible to speak of any one Indian culture, | | | | intercultural sensitivity must be reached by the |
| although there are deep cultural continuities that tie | | | | participants of the collaborative process. Bennett calls |
| its people together.In its quest for modernization, | | | | this stage "acceptance."5. The fifth stage of |
| India has preserved its ancient civilization and never | | | | intercultural sensitivity, adaptation, may allow the |
| lost sight of the ideals that gave her strength | | | | person to function in a bicultural capacity. In this |
| through countless centuries. Science and technology | | | | stage, a person is able to take the perspective of |
| has been steadily raising the living standard and | | | | another culture and operate successfully within that |
| prosperity of its people, but the nation of more than | | | | culture. This ability usually develops in a two-part |
| one billion people - one sixth of humanity - continues | | | | sequence. It requires that the person know enough |
| to live with some of its traditional values that go | | | | about his or her own culture and a second culture to |
| back 4,000 years and more. See this synthesis of | | | | allow a mental Shift into the value scheme of the |
| tradition and modernity on your India Travel | | | | other culture, and an evaluation of behavior based on |
| itinerary.Developmental Model of Intercultural | | | | its norms, not the norms of the first individual culture |
| Sensitivity"Global diversity is the recognition and | | | | of origin. This is referred to as "cognitive adaptation." |
| development of skills to deal with differences on | | | | The more advanced form of adaptation is "behavioral |
| both international and domestic fronts." -Dr. Milton | | | | adaptation," in which the person can produce |
| BennettHow can we help employees in our | | | | behaviors appropriate to the norms of the second |
| organizations succeed in an increasingly complex | | | | culture. Persons serving as liaisons between a |
| workplace? Our function is to clarify what cultural | | | | mainstream agency and an ethnic minority group |
| competence is and why it is needed, and to help | | | | need to be at this level of intercultural sensitivity.6. In |
| employees enhance understanding of their own | | | | the sixth stage, the person can shift perspectives |
| culture, and increase their intercultural sensitivity and | | | | and frames of reference from one culture to another |
| competence. | | | | in a natural way. They become adept at evaluating |
| In 1986, Bennett created the Developmental Model | | | | any situation from multiple frames of reference. |
| of Intercultural Sensitivity, which shows a progression | | | | Some representatives in cross-cultural collaboration |
| of stages people may go through in developing | | | | may reach this level, but most probably will not.Stage |
| intercultural competency. Since then, he has | | | | six requires in-depth knowledge of at least two |
| partnered with Dr. Mitch Hammer of American | | | | cultures (one's own and another), and the ability to |
| University to develop the Intercultural Development | | | | shift easily into the other cultural frame of reference. |
| Inventory (IDI). (The inventory is a set of | | | | The task at this level of development is to handle |
| statements that allows an individual to assess his/her | | | | the identity issues that emerge from this cultural |
| developmental stage of intercultural sensitivity | | | | flexibility. Bennett calls this final stage of intercultural |
| according to the DMIS. This tool is valuable because it | | | | sensitivity "integration."Building Intercultural |
| measures people's ability to experience difference in | | | | Development Inventory (IDI), a tool to build individual |
| relatively complex ways).Why there is | | | | and team effectivenessThe ability to communicate |
| Resistance...Tool to understand | | | | effectively with people of different backgrounds, |
| resistanceDevelopment of intercultural competence | | | | cultures, or perspectives is essential to creating an |
| does not come without a struggle; some employees | | | | inclusive, productive, and innovative work |
| will protest these efforts. Bennett's model helps us | | | | environment. This is the basis for leveraging peoples' |
| understand that the basic form of resistance is a | | | | inputs to improve business results.Each member of a |
| defense response. People who respond to diversity | | | | team or an organization must build this competence |
| efforts in this way are often moving from the | | | | to a degree consistent with their responsibilities and |
| model's first stage of intercultural sensitivity, denial (a | | | | work. It is therefore important to be able to |
| failure to recognize that cultural differences exist) | | | | measure intercultural sensitivity and guide |
| into the second stage, defense (recognition of | | | | development for individuals, teams, and |
| differences). Often, people at this stage may | | | | organizations.The Intercultural Development |
| express concern about reverse discrimination. | | | | Inventory, developed by Dr. Mitchell Hammer and Dr. |
| "Recognition of the fact that differences do exist | | | | Milton Bennett, is a 50-item, theory-based paper and |
| carries a threat," he says. The reaction is to defend | | | | pencil or web-based instrument that measures |
| one's self. Bennett recommends listening carefully to | | | | intercultural sensitivity as conceptualized in Dr. |
| the person's fears and to help them understand how | | | | Bennett's Developmental Model of Intercultural |
| the organization will continue to extend opportunities | | | | Sensitivity (DMIS).The DMIS is a framework for |
| to this person's cultural group, even as efforts | | | | explaining the reactions of people to cultural |
| expand to include other cultural groups.The model | | | | differences. The underlying assumption of the model |
| predicts that as time goes by, people can move | | | | is that as one's experience of cultural differences |
| from defense (stage two) into minimization (stage | | | | becomes more complex, one's potential competence |
| three). "With minimization, there's more recognition | | | | in intercultural interactions increases. Dr. Bennett has |
| that we're dealing with people that are different, but | | | | identified a set of fundamental cognitive structures |
| there's still resistance to that idea," Bennett explains. | | | | (or "worldviews") that act as orientations to cultural |
| "The belief is that somehow if we are more open in | | | | difference.The worldviews vary from more |
| making sure that equal opportunity exists, everyone | | | | ethnocentric to more ethnorelative. According to the |
| should be grateful and follow a set of rules." | | | | DMIS theory, more ethnorelative worldviews have |
| Someone in this stage may say, "Why can't we all | | | | more potential to generate the attitudes, knowledge, |
| just be Americans?" A person at this stage hopes | | | | and behavior that constitute intercultural |
| that we will all converge into a single cultural position. | | | | competence.The IDI measures an individual's and/or |
| Of course, this position assumes people are able and | | | | group's fundamental worldview orientation to cultural |
| willing to shed their culture and take on American | | | | difference, and thus the individual or group capacity |
| culture.How to address backlashBennett recommends | | | | for intercultural competence. As a theory-based test, |
| several approaches to addressing backlash:· | | | | the IDI meets the standard scientific criteria for a |
| Cultural Self-Awareness: Help employees develop | | | | valid and reliable psychometric instrument.Key |
| cultural awareness, including (if applicable) identification | | | | Characteristics of the IDIThe IDI is currently |
| of European American ethnicity versus stopping at a | | | | administered as a paper and pencil instrument |
| more specific cultural self-awareness (such as Italian | | | | composed of 50 questions that are designed to |
| or Irish).· Recognition of Cultural Capital: Prepare | | | | measure an individual's sensitivity to and awareness |
| employees to deal with issues of privilege in a | | | | of cultural differences. The survey consists of |
| non-threatening way. Help them to identify their own | | | | statements reflecting attitudes toward cultural |
| cultural capital (what it means to belong to their own | | | | difference, and responses are scored on a five-point |
| group and how that translates into institutional | | | | Likert-type scale. The instrument takes approximately |
| privilege).· Establishing a Cultural Core: Facilitate | | | | 20 to 30 minutes to complete. The results are |
| an exploration of value commitment in the context | | | | compiled and a graphic profile of an individual or |
| of intercultural relativity.In other words, we need to | | | | group's predominant stage of intercultural |
| recognize that our values are culturally based. Then, | | | | development is generated. In addition, IDI results |
| we must develop the capability of working | | | | provide a textual interpretation of an individual or |
| effectively with people with different values without | | | | group's stage of development and associated |
| feeling the need to give up our own values system. | | | | transition issues. Administration of the IDI is often |
| "I find that most diversity practitioners don't have | | | | accompanied by a pre-interview, in which |
| the ability to deal with this," He says. "[The tendency | | | | respondents are asked about their backgrounds and |
| is to think] if there aren't any basic values, which by | | | | prior experiences with different cultures. In addition, |
| the way are mine, how do we work and live | | | | individuals and groups are provided with their IDI |
| ethically?"Bennett envisions this model extending | | | | results in conjunction with a mandatory debriefing |
| beyond domestic to international diversity efforts. | | | | session that is facilitated by a trained and certified |
| "Global diversity is the recognition and development | | | | IDI administrator.The IDI is a proprietary instrument |
| of skills to deal with differences on both international | | | | that may only be administered by individuals who |
| and domestic fronts," says Bennett.Many | | | | receive certification from the Intercultural |
| organizations realize that diversity efforts involve | | | | Communication Institute (ICI).ConclusionToday, the |
| on-going change strategies rather than one-time | | | | importance of intercultural competence in both global |
| training events.There is also a move toward coupling | | | | and domestic contexts is well recognized. Bennett |
| international and domestic diversity, and aligning | | | | (1986, 1993b) posited a framework for |
| intercultural competence with leadership development. | | | | conceptualizing dimensions of intercultural competence |
| "The danger [in these trends] of course is that | | | | in his developmental model of intercultural sensitivity |
| international issues may be seen as diffusing other | | | | (DMIS). The DMIS constitutes a progression of |
| important [domestic diversity] issues," Bennett | | | | worldview "orientations toward cultural difference" |
| cautions. Our challenge, then, is to maintain the | | | | that comprise the potential for increasingly more |
| emphasis on domestic issues within the context of | | | | sophisticated intercultural experiences. Three |
| the larger global diversity effort.Stages of | | | | ethnocentric orientations, where one's culture is |
| Intercultural SensitivityIn the '80's and 90's | | | | experienced as central to reality (Denial, Defense, |
| organizations have attempted to go beyond mere | | | | Minimization), and three ethnorelative orientations, |
| discrimination issues and even to "celebrate diversity." | | | | where one's culture is experienced in the context of |
| However, celebration of diversity falls far short of | | | | other cultures (Acceptance, Adaptation, Integration), |
| what is needed for effective collaboration between | | | | are identified in the DMIS.References1. Bennett, M.J. |
| mainstream agencies and ethnic minority communities. | | | | (1986). Towards ethnorelativism: A developmental |
| For organizations or individuals to move beyond | | | | model of intercultural sensitivity. In R.M. Paige (Ed.) |
| "celebration" to a real ability to work appropriately | | | | Cross-cultural orientation: New conceptualizations and |
| with cultural difference requires a planned sequence | | | | applications (pp. 27-70). New York: University Press of |
| of development.Bennett describes six stages of | | | | America.2. Bennett, M.J. (1993). Towards |
| development in intercultural sensitivity. The stages | | | | ethnorelativism: A developmental model of |
| provide a good framework for determining how to | | | | intercultural sensitivity. In R. M. Paige (Ed.), Education |
| work with and improve the capacity for intercultural | | | | for the intercultural experience (pp. 21-71). Yarmouth, |
| sensitivity and collaboration. Some of his stages of | | | | ME: Intercultural Press.3. Bennett, M.J. & Hammer, M. |
| "cultural sensitivity" include behaviors or adaptations | | | | (1998).4. Bikson, T.K., & Law, S.A. (1994). Global |
| the authors include under the definition of "cultural | | | | preparedness and human resources. Santa Monica, |
| competence."1. Bennett refers to the first stage of | | | | CA: Rand Institute.5. Dougherty, D., Lynch, R.A., & |
| the model as "denial." It means that people in this | | | | Ohles, F. (2003). Review of the Intercultural |
| stage are very unaware of cultural difference. If | | | | Development Inventory (IDI) for assessing outcomes |
| mainstream agency staff are in this stage of | | | | of a liberal arts education. Center of Inquiry in the |
| intercultural sensitivity, a huge problem can be | | | | Liberal Arts: Wabash, IN.6. Endicott, L., Bock, T., & |
| expected in the delivery of education, health, and | | | | Narvaez, D. (2002, April). Learning processes at the |
| social services for ethnic minorities, a gap that does | | | | intersection of ethical and intercultural education. |
| currently exist when these groups are compared to | | | | Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the |
| Anglo Americans. The task for staff at this first | | | | American Educational Research Association, New |
| stage of intercultural sensitivity is to recognize cultural | | | | Orleans.7. Paige, R., Jacobs-Cassuto, M., Yershova, |
| differences that are escaping their notice.2. Whereas | | | | Y.A., & DeJaeghere, J. (2003). Assessing intercultural |
| in the first stage we do not "see" cultural differences, | | | | sensitivity: An empirical analysis of Hammer and |
| in the second stage of cultural competence we do | | | | Bennett's Intercultural Development Inventory. |
| perceive cultural differences; however, differences | | | | International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 27: |
| from ourselves or the norms of our group are labeled | | | | 467-486.About Author |
| very negatively. They are experienced as a threat to | | | | Sanjeev Himachali |
| the centrality and "rightness" of our own value | | | | E-mail: , Blog: can read my ITES-BPO related articles |
| system. Bennett calls this stage "defense."3. In the | | | | at and (Himachali) Sharma, is a 29 yrs of age from |
| third stage of intercultural sensitivity, minimization, we | | | | India, having six years of experience in "Human |
| try to avoid stereotypes and even appreciate | | | | Resource Development". By qualification, he is |
| differences in language and culture. However, we still | | | | Bachelor of Science and Masters in Business |
| view many of our own values as universal, rather | | | | Administration. He is also a Motivational and |
| than viewing them simply as part of our own | | | | Inspirational writer and speaker. |