As businesses expanse, the world is becoming more interdependent on one another, it then becomes a bit difficult for an industry to isolate itself, from global influence. Firms must change their look to seek new opportunities to leverage itself in the current global market. The face of many organizations today is entirely different than they used to look years ago, now many firms can be recognized as diverse and multicultural. Being multicultural is not just a person’s physical appearance or the beauty of their multi-layered ethical background, it is multiple, purposeful perspective.  Meaning, the organizations’ new view allows them to maneuver through various ideas, customs, values, and techniques.  It is also, a sense of attachment to multiple cultures and a multidimensional way of thinking.  Every day, the organization is exposed to fresh opportunities of learning, everyone contributing via a unique perception of their own cultural frame of reference. As a result, a diverse organization can influence how they view the world and make a positive impact on those whom they do business.

“That is why diverse organizations are often the most creative; they take advantage of the differing perspectives within the organization to generate,” (Pennsylvania State University, 2018), answers to complicated problems, whose solutions are distinctive and beneficial. Those firms who are less culturally divergent, may only generate a singular viewpoint, and be endanger of not finding the creative solution that is needed. Proving how important cultural synergy is to any organization, domestic or abroad. “Cultural synergy is about using the diverse perspectives of various cultures to create something that is greater than each individual culture,” (Pennsylvania State University, 2018). When applying this idea to our domestic surroundings, synergy provides an outlet which highlights the capacities of each employee and blends them to benefit the organization.

With this particular type of cultural synergy, business demonstrates their new face, which is exciting, yet to understand this new look can be somewhat tricky.  Because as mentioned before, it not just about the ethnic diversity of the team, it is the positive, yet methodical chemistry which allows the “right” group of people to come together to supersede in complicated tasks collectively.  Synergy explains the systemic principle of the groups’ collective performance, while at times it may be unpredictable, “the combination of common interests, common values, and complementary talents defines the potential for teams,” (Romero, 2015). Businesses are reconfiguring themselves to establish new organizational cultures.  Employees are empowered to create unique team cultures to problem solve, as each groups experience will be different, the “coordination and integration of team effort with other units’ ad the whole enterprise are essential if the sum is to be greater than its parts,” (Moran et al. 2011, p.270).  Without the harmonious effects of team synergy, it can cause basic human discrepancy and personal priorities.  Resulting in individuals who are not attentive to the holistic process and which may lead to a lack of responsibility or accountability and the blaming of others, (SSG, 2014). “This occurred not because they lacked the skill, but because off-field issues (for example a toxic personality) prevented the two from truly knowing each other’s capabilities, and therefore no synergy was created,” (Pennsylvania State University, 2018).  Enlisting congruent individuals who share commonalities, will allow them to understand their roles within the business and further the efforts of the organization as a whole.  Similar to many human connections, synergy is a continuous activity, which requires management and cultivation. “It’s not a destination that you arrive to and just halts, it’s a never-ending journey that you and your team as the crew of a ship, embark upon together and must constantly row and work to reach the destination,” (SSG, 2014).

 

Moran, R.T., Abramson, N.R. & Moran, S. V. (2011). Managing cultural differences. (9th Ed.). London &  New York. Routledge. Taylor & Francis Group.

Pennsylvania State University. (2018). Leadership in Global Context—OLEAD 410. Lesson 6 Cultural Synergy Discussion. Penn State World Campus, The Pennsylvania State University. Retrieved from: https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1942644/modules/items/24935397.

Romero, L.E. (2015, December 1). The ultimate guide to team synergy. Forbes Magazine. Retrieved  from:https://www.forbes.com/sites/luisromero/2015/12/01/the-ultimate-guide-to-team-synergy/#78f6ffea52f5.

SSG Admin. (2014, February, 15). Fundamentals in creating synergy at the workplace. Stepping Stone Global Co. W.L.L. Retrieved from: http://www.steppingstoneglobal.com/fundamentals-in- creating-synergy-at-workplace/

So why should keep taking classes or training course?  We attend university to prepare for the career market, however, once we get our dream job, why keep studying? Well for one reason keeping one’s mind fit and alert can maintain robust mental health, which allows people to have good emotional stability.  (A characteristic that is essential in leadership.)  Simply stated, leaning is a vital component to achieving success in one’s personal development and work.  Randall Stephenson, the CEO of AT & T said, “there is a need to retool yourself, and you should not expect to stop…. People who do not spend five to 10 hours a week in online learning will obsolete themselves with the technology.” (Wadors, 2016).

Similar to one’s personal growth, many organizations want to expand and be successful, a key component to maintaining a competitive advantage is continuous innovations.  Roseanna DeMaria, the former Chief Learning Office at Merrill Lynch and Former CLO at NYU SCPS Leadership & Human Capital Management, said, “the true heartbeat of competitive advantage is learning,” (Sarder, 2016).  Acquiring knowledge as an incentive to ensure a companies’ competitive advantage is not just about learning something new, it is the ability to “live the learning in real time,” (Sarder, 2016).  The strategy to a resilient and prosperous organization isn’t finding an edge over your competitors; it is discovering a sustainable advantage, a key component that can not be synthesized or reconstructed elsewhere when the item is popular and profitable, (Housel, 2017).  Paying attention to the latest trends around you and taking the initiative to actively learn what will be the next steps in the company evolution, will provide a sustainable advantage. “The number one reason for organizational success or failure is the ability to stay relevant,” (Prichard, 2018).

A suitable example of failing to learn is Blackberry.  Blackberry was the essential device for the working businessman/women whose job required them to remain dialed into the office.  Blackberry facilitated the need to receive emails or phone call while away from work.  The company was a vanguard, until Apple and other Android-based smartphones. Blackberry felt these devices were a fade; they firmly believed there was no need to chance down this type of technology, they had loyal customers.  However, when the company realized they were wrong, they were unable to catch up; causing them to lose their loyal followers and their place in the marketplace.  The ability to continuously learn, especially in regards to today’s technologies, is the intelligent choice. For an organization to continue to be competitive, regardless of industry, is “for organizations to ensure their workforces are fully productive and able to achieve business goals is to make sure employees are continuously learning, so that they are driving the business forward,” (Wadors, 2016).

Employees must also strive to maintain a competitive edge, keeping in mind though, that “Intelligence is not a sustainable source of competitive advantage because the world is full of brilliant people, and a lot of what is used to count as intelligence is now automated,” (Wandors, 2016). Clearly, one should not just be concerned with gaining a new set of skills and believing one is prepared for anything.  One has to continue to learn and adapt with the ongoing changes the marketplace has to offer; we must be ready to keeping learning thought out our lives.

 

Prichard, S. (2018, MAY 3). How the best companies stay relevant?Retrieved from: https://www.skipprichard.com/how-the-best-companies-stay-relevant/.

Sarder, R. (2016). Building an innovative learning organization: A framework to build a smarter workforce, adapt to change, and drive growth. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Retrieved from:https://onlinelibrary-wiley-com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/doi/pdf/10.1002/9781119235200.

Wadors, P. (2016, March 07). To stay relevant, your company and employees must keep learning.The Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2016/03/to-stay-relevant-your-company-and-employees-must-keep-learning.

 

There are approximately 6,500 spoken languages in the world today (not to mention the multiple official dialects in between), how impressive it is that we speak to one another at all.  We exchange information not just by communicating via verbal means; we can utilize various options, or channels, to communication, (McGuire et al., 2018).  Aside from the words that are intentionally used, our behavior unconsciously transmits messages during all the hours we spend with other people, (Novinger, 2001, p. 4).  In spite of the complexity of verbal and non-verbal language, when deconstructing communication in its purest form, humans being converse via a process of encoding and decoding. It is up to the encoder to regulate how a message is to be delivered to their audience, amid the distribution the encoder makes necessary modifications to ensure the receiver is comprehending the correct idea. The receiver will then decode the message for themselves, transforming the sender’s ideas into thoughts of their own. (McGuire et al., 2018).  With so many modes of communication, it is no wonder why we experience errors in the patterns of delivering and receipt.

Image how difficult it is at times to speak and be understood by people who share a common language. Think of “speakers of English in London, New Delhi, or Sydney, who speak and interact using their own words that are community-defined, self-defined,” (McGuire et al., 2018), leave us room for interpretation.  Imagine now, a time when we have attempted to speak with someone who does not dominate our language, our attempt to decode what is being said becomes more difficult. Companies who have expended their business beyond their borders have come to recognize the need to understand the fundamental differences, behaviors, cultures, and customs from their transcontinental partners. However, globalization is taking on a new face; it does not only mean doing business across the continents, but it is also the movement of people across the globe. Organizations are employing various people from different cultural backgrounds.  Everyone is blending together, trying to learn and understand, and hopefully enjoy the regional culture they come across.  Our everyday life is filled with a never-ending cultural walkthrough, in which individuals are engaged continuously in constructing exact dimensions of communication, (Caron, 2007, p. 32).  It is essential to keep in mind that successful communication with people from other cultures requires learning more than just their language, (Novinger, 2001, p. 2).

When speaking with someone face-to-face, it is easier to decode anger, happiness or sarcasm, but when using virtual means of communication such as email or texting, these emotions or tones are tough to asses. Virtual technology and communication across the web have opened new geographic locations and access to other cultures.  Given the ease of modern enhancements in conversation, working people in vast distances is almost the same as working face-to-face, making cross-cultural communication increasingly normal.  While the technology of communication may seem ordinary, the world is complex and comprised of many factors, which is why it is essential to be aware of the fundamental differences that embody other cultural values. “As we are writing an e-mail, we write it with our own perspective. We know what we mean, after all. And we use that frame of reference to make assumptions about how other people are going to interpret us, which is a bias that can lead to miscommunication,” (Pennsylvania State University, 2018).  When emailing or texting across continents one should be cogence of the dissimilarities from one culture to another, for example; “in one culture you must be assertive, quick, and to the point. The other culture may require you to be unassertive, patient, and indirect. You have to learn to shift style, like handling two swords. (Novinger, 2001, p. 153).  One should refrain from using cliché, slang, and euphemisms, as each type of encoding can cause barriers in communication and contribute to communication errors. Our ultimate goal is to be clear and concise with speaking, emailing, texting or gesturing. Understand who your audience is and keeping in mind that people are not one-size-fits-all we are comprised of a diverse set of people, stemming from multiple cultures, (Pennsylvania State University, 2018), doing so will enable us to avoid mishaps in communication.

 

Caron, A. (2007). Moving cultures: mobile communication in everyday life. McGill-Queen’s  University Press, ProQuest Ebook Central. Retrieved from:http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/pensu/detail.action?docID=3332031.

McGuire, H., Zimmerman, N., Mays, E., Hyde, Z.W., Chartrand, D., Ashok, A., Fernandes, D., Guan,   J.C., Nelson, P., & McGrath, T. (2018). Communication for Business Professionals. University of   Minnesota Libraries Publishing. eCampus Ontario. Retrieved from:https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/commbusprofcdn/chapter/1-2/.

Novinger, T. (2001). Intercultural communication: a practical guide. University of Texas Press. Austin, TX. ProQuest Ebook Central. Retrieved from:http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/pensu/detail.action?docID=3443262.

Pennsylvania State University. (2018). Leadership in Global Context—OLEAD 410. Lesson 04: Global        Communication. Penn State World Campus, The Pennsylvania State University. Retrieved from:            https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1942644/modules/items/24935382.

 

How a woman chooses to express their fashion style is not only about what shoes to wear, but it can also be an important symbol of their religious conviction. People have been wearing “different” types of clothing to express their religious believes for centuries, from the concealing black habits of worn by Catholic nuns to the saffron-colored robes of the Buddhist monks, this style of dress has been a symbol of their spiritual faith for years.  So too, is the ideal behind the vail for the women of Islam.  Muslim women choose to wear a veil (either a Hijab, Niqab, Burka, Chandor or Khimar) for various reason, some to because they wish to liberate themselves from the Barbie doll image the fashion magazine choose to portray to, to an expression of their religious faith to a direct command from God, via the interpretations of the Quran.  The actual reason is the women’s personal choice to wear a veil, and the beauty of it is that she has an array of options which headdress to wear, depending on their unique interpretations and religious belief.

However, so many of us in Western Culture, find this form of religious expression to be antiquated or oppressive. However, many “modern-day” Muslim women wear a head covering, or hijab as a means to exemplify their beliefs and principles of modesty, or to become more spiritually connected to their religion, and to actively practice their faith in the open.  “It’s often assumed that girls who wear the niqab are forced into it by their families,” (Soni, 2013).  But in recent years, this is far from the truth.  In fact, many young women are choosing to cover their head or face of their own volition.  Asma, a young British woman who started covering her face when she was thirteen years old, she states that none of the women of her family cover their head or face, in fact, her family was completely shocked, but she found that wearing the Niqab gave her a sense of spiritual peace.  In the UK, many young girls, “like Asma, are adopting the niqab, even though their mothers never did, partly as a way of asserting a Muslim identity they feel is under attack,” (Soni, 2013).

It is unfortunate that there is so much controversy around their expression of religion.  In 2009, Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France, called the burqas “a sign of subjugation, of the submission of women,” (Edmonds, n.d.). France banned the wearing of the burqas because the country didn’t believe that women should be imprisoned or deprived of identity,” (Edmonds, n.d.).   To persons who share similar views like Sarkozy, the vail is seen as a “dehumanizing prison that turns women into second-class citizens,” (Edmonds, n.d.).  While for others who wear their Hijab proudly, it is extremely powerful.  It is a confidence, to know they will not be judged based on their physical appurtenance.  Zena, a British university student, says, “wearing the Hijab is a way to reject the western ideas of beauty.”  She says, “Surely it’s better not to wear skimpy clothes, to preserve some of your modesty? I’m not sure what all the fuss is about. I would feel more uncomfortable seeing someone walking down the street in skimpy clothes, with no shame than someone covering up with extra clothes,” (Soni, 2013).

I think the most important thing to understand by this cultural expression is that millions of Muslim women are finding empowerment in their culture and religious expression, (Harn, 2017). “The hijab empowers them with the pride and love for their religion, and the power of modesty also helps many feel stronger,” (Harn, 2017).

Before this article, I never really understood the why so many Muslim choose to cover their head or face.  However, after reading so many articles about the freedom these women felt and how this was a symbol of their choice to express their piety.  It is a reminder to us all, to not judge a culture because we do not fully understand the symbolism of a particular habit or choice.  My hope for us all is that next time you meet a woman who is veiled you are encouraged to smile and say hello, and not be quick to judge her.

Edmonds, M. (n.d.) Why do some cultures require women to wear veils? How Stuff Works.         Retrieved from: https://people.howstuffworks.com/veil.htm.

Harn, J. (2017, October 11). 10 thinks you need to know about the Hijab. The Culture Trip.          Retrieved from: https://theculturetrip.com/middle-east/united-arab-          emirates/articles/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-hijab/.

Soni, D. (2013, October 22). Why Muslim women choose to wear a veil.

. Channel 4     News, London, UK. Retrieved from: https://www.channel4.com/news/niqab-hijab-       burqa-muslim-veil-headdress-birmingham.

Hello Everyone,

 

My name is Ana.  I am located about 17 miles south of San Francisco, in a town called Millbrae, which is 5 minutes near SFO.  Currently, I am an HR Manager for a non-profit agency in San Francisco.  I am hoping to have an opportunity to transfer to a fortune 500 and work my way up to be a Reginal Director in Human Resources.  I started my leadership career while working for a major airline company; I was a Team Leader with a direct cohort of 15 but responsible for an operational group of about 75 people. Since then I have lead between 5 to 10 team member thought my current career.

I had a calendar a few years back, and it had a quote a day on it, the one I keep, even after the year had passed; I kept the quote because it really inspired me to be a better HR Manager.  The quote is as follows:

“If your action inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more you are a leader.” — JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

My favorite part about being a manager is the opportunity to encourage my team and impart my knowledge to another person, so that they may excel and if possible supersede me.

Sadly, I live a pretty dull life, because at the moment all I do is work and study.  But when I have a moment I love watching motorsports, swimming, and painting.  Regarding motorsports, I follow F1, WRC, and Moto GP, but lately, I haven’t had much time to watch any races this year, as my courses have been super challenging. I also enjoy watching and following fútbol (soccer), I have had to good fortune to have attended three world cups so far, and hoping to view another.

Wishing everyone a smooth and fulling semester.

Ana