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Article by Judith A. Starkey

Defining Cultural Traits

A lot of emphasis in the multicultural sphere is placed on grouping people into cultures.  But how are those cultures defined?  By whom?  What are their characteristics?

When people are asked to define the traits of their primary cultural group, answers can be revealing and―sometimes―surprising.  In our work with clients one of the strategies we use is to get people involved in that identification process.  Then they develop ways to communicate their valued traits to others.

Here is our process:

• In a training environment, people define what characteristics they wish others would value about their own cultures.  (This exercise reinforces individual pride, educates others and contributes to mutual understanding.)

• Once there characteristics are defined, the groups develop ways to get others to value their own cultures.  (With the information they have just learned, they can develop strategies that will be meaningful to the other cultural groups.)

By way of example, here are some of the valued cultural characteristics resulting from an exercise we recently conducted.  Remember, these are their own definitions of cultural groups as well as the cultural group's traits.

• Cultural Group:  African
  
  unity
  self-determination
  purpose
  collective responsibility
  collective economics
  creativity
  respect for family/elders
  sense of humanity
  respect for spirituality/faith
  harmony-others/nature
   

• Cultural Group:  Hispanic
  
  love of life
  share emotions
  loyalty
  humility
  quiet pride
  laughter
  fun
  family emphasis
  strong faith
  relationships-key
  attitude toward time relative to people & values
  hard-working
   

• Cultural Group:  White Female
  
  sensitivity
  adaptability
  fortitude/determination
  emotional strength
  work ethic/doers
  conciliatory
  nurturing/caring
  openness/communicative
  confrontive (a plus)
  integrity
   

• Cultural Group:  White Male
  
  confidence
  aggressive
  head of family (including finances)
  open to change
  involved in sports
  hero
  fix things
  runs company/country
  leadership/decision makers
  successful
  male bonding

The value of such an exercise lies in revealing how people see themselves.  With this knowledge they are better equipped to interact more effectively with others...particularly when they learn how the other groups see themselves.  Bridges of communication can be built reinforced with mutual understanding.

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Speaker and author Judith A Starkey is president of The Starkey Group, Inc., providing multicultural strategies for today's world through consulting, keynotes, seminars, training, coaching and products.  For more information see www.StarkeyGrp.com.

For permission to reproduce this article contact StarkeyGrp@aol.com or the address below.

Contact Us:
Judith A. Starkey, President
The Starkey Group, Inc.
3180 N. Lake Shore Drive, Suite 17G
Chicago, Illinois 60657-4867 USA
Phone:  773 348 0421
Fax:  773 348 3683
E-Mail:  jas@StarkeyGrp.com or StarkeyGrp@aol.com
Website:  www.StarkeyGrp.com
MultiCultural Strategies

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