Question

1. Your Cultural Diversity : Think about your views regarding diversity. As you enter the work force, you will have the opportunity to interact with a wide variety of people. Reflect upon your own experiences with diverse people. Specifically examine experiences you have had with individuals of different: Culture, Ethnicity, Regional backgrounds, Religion, Gender, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, Disabilities, Age, Social class, Family structure. Write a 300-500 word essay regarding your reflections and experiences.

2. Include 4 picture books that display/promote diversity and can be used in a classroom.   Explain how, where and why you would recommend these particular books. Please include a picture and a short summary of each book.

Answer 1

Growing up in a culturally diverse neighborhood and being schooled with culturally different students has helped in shaping up my mind as culturally competent and I am very open in accepting and accommodating different cultures into my life. I have had many experiences with different people who had different traditions, language, religion as well as nationality.

So far, I have been able to work with them and have been able to deliver my best in all the projects. For example, recently, I had to work with a Pakistani woman who was a new member of our team and my partner in completing our marketing operational activities. While the rest of the team was not familiar with the Asian culture and traditions, I was well aware of the appropriate behavior and conservative nature of the culture. This helped me in adjusting my behavior with the member accordingly.

This led to a very efficient and trust relationship between us. Together, we made a great pair and were able to complete most of the work assigned to us in less time and with minimum efforts. Another advantage of building trust was that we were aware of each other's culture and how it affects our way of communicating. This understanding minimized any conflict from arising.

Ultimately, we were chosen as the best pair in the team due to our time management and conflict management skills.

This experience has led many others in my team to be sensitive towards other cultures to derive maximum productivity from their culturally different partners in the team.,