‍Cultural Awareness – Western vs Indigenous Perspectives

In this session, we explore key differences between Western and Indigenous cultures, focusing on how these perspectives shape workplace behaviour and communication. Led by Caitlin, we delve into various cultural aspects that influence how we approach work, relationships, and decision-making.

Topics discussed:

• Tense: How Western and Indigenous cultures differ in their focus on the present versus the future.
• Values and Understanding the World: Examining individualism and collectivism, and how these perspectives shape work ethics and community involvement.
• Communication Styles and Decision-Making: We explore how body language, silence, and collective decision-making vary between these cultures.
• Family and Nature: The integral role of family and connection to the environment in Indigenous culture, compared to the more segmented approach in Western culture.

We also tackled important questions, such as:

• How to performance manage without bringing shame to Indigenous employees.
• How to assist with challenging Indigenous names, ensuring respectful pronunciation.
• How to support low literacy levels in the workplace, fostering inclusivity and respect.

Check it out below!

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