Monday, September 10, 2012
Tomato, Tomoto
Valuing diversity does not seem to come very easy to the people I know, but it's not in the way you might assume. Diversity is easy to understand. We do it all the time when we evaluate instead of judge, but Value in something is different than understanding something. In the United States we are faced with diversity all the time and the most hard to value is the diversity that challenges and competes with us. In many cases we can look around an appreciate the different ideas around us, but when one of those ideas challenges our values or gets in the way of our own idea taking the cake, conflict can arise. More often than not, this difference in diversity is among state lines rather than country lines. It is expected that we will have to adjust to cultures of another nation, but we are thrown for a loop when the difference in culture is with the unpredictable. Diversity is hard to value because we are not always aware that it is what we are facing. When I work with people from the west coast verses the east coast, I get very different modes of communication and style and it is hard to adjust because I am not conditioning myself or going into the communication with an open mind for diversity. Instead I expect things to be simple. When working with international clients, I am already sitting back and waiting for my chance to open and accept new ideas and ways. The best way to value diversity is to expect it at every corner, even the corners you have gone around everyday.
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Hi Blanch, I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on valuing diversity. Your perspective of diversity was very interesting and informing in my opinion. I agree how it is easy to understand because we have been exposed to it ever since we were born. I realized that you were right about how we evaluate diversity instead of judge. We tend to go through life accepting diversity but not really thinking about why we do. Values are in fact different than understanding and accepting-whether it's diversity or any other concept, we may value the morals of it, but it's the understanding part that we seem to neglect. You use a great example of here in the United States how we appreciate the diversity of all ideas around us, yet, when someone or something gets in the way of that, many conflicts come about because it is affecting our "norm" ways. A great example you used was the diversity amongst state and country lines. We as a society know that adaptation occurs and we accept that, however, it also throws us off track when the differences are unpredicted. Your personal experience is a perfect example for that. Communication in our everyday lives (especially in the work field) are extremely difficult when it comes to international clients or anyone who isn't within our own comfortable diversity. I like how you mention your different styles of communication when it comes to those who don't live around you. You expect it to be different, yet you are very open minded about your upcoming endeavors. I think that is a very strong quality to have when you are valuing diversity. Even though it may be out of your comfort zone, you are ready to challenge yourself in accepting the differences you and the other individual have. This is extremely important in the work field as well because we are always doing international business in order to benefit both parties. The more this is practiced, the more effective your business will be as well as the other business. Great post, keep up the good work and examples!
ReplyDeleteHey Blanch!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post and your insight. The distinction you made between understanding and valuing diversity really made me think. When I was in high school and now in college, teachers and professors always talk about how diverse our campus is and how great the diversity is, but I don't think I ever really tried to think about it or appreciate it; it was just like something in the background that blended in with the rest of the environment. All of the different people and cultures are things that I've always been open to, but I never thought of diversity as something that made an impact on me until recently. Your example about working with different clients was a great way to illustrate how diversity has value in everyone's life.
You brought up a very important point: “diversity is easy to understand, but valuing it is harder”. We may see different ethnicities and understand their cultures, but valuing it is a whole other issue! I’m glad you brought it up because we may say that we accept diversity, but we do not truly value it. I agree that it is hard for people to value diversity because they don’t know what to expect. One may put their guard up in these situations. It takes time to observe, understand, and adapt to these situations. I enjoyed your last sentence. It is a good ending off point and something that I will keep in mind!
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