Lesson 6: Cultural Dispositions

Combatting Ethnocentrism

To overcome ethnocentric attitudes there are seven actions that help to minimize or eliminate ethnocentric attitudes (Ting-Toomey & Chung, 2005). Since a GV team member will not be immersed in another culture, but needs to work together in culturally sensitive ways, team members must take the initiative to learn of the specific culture and be aware of communications and interactions between cultures. Team members must know where they are and work to understand the culture of other team members.

1. Be Self-aware. Acknowledge the advantages or disadvantages you have. Recognize your ethnocentric attitudes and how strong they are. This awareness opens the way for you to modify actions and attitudes as needed and understanding the need for change.


2. Educate. Read, attend lectures, presentations, and training sessions designed to help interaction between different ethnic groups. Interact with members of a different ethnic group and ask questions to gain understanding.


3. Listen. Seek to understand before trying to make yourself understood. If need be restate or reframe questions and comments from the other person's point of view to gain a greater understanding.


4. Speak Up. Using appropriate methods, identify stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination when they occur.


5. Review Team Norms. Periodically review your teams norms, goals, and expectations to determine if they are built on inclusion and pluralism or if a subgroup has formed that tends to dominate other members in the group. Make adjustments as needed.


6. Avoid Giving or Taking Offense. Change will take time and effort. Everyone makes mistakes and may need multiple times to alter their behavior. If you are aware that the comment you are about to make may be offensive, take a moment to determine another way to say it or frame the comment or question in terms of better understanding and intent not to give offense.


7. Be Forgiving.