Organization : Chamberlain College of Nursing
How can you advocate for change in a culturally sensitive manner within your organization? In particular, how can cultural sensitivity assist you in overcoming barriers and resistance to change and in conflict resolution? approx. 500 words APA format 1 reference
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Advocating for change in a culturally sensitive manner is essential in any organization, especially in the medical field, where cultural competence is critical in providing quality care to patients. Being culturally sensitive helps in understanding and appreciating the differences that exist among individuals and communities.
Answer:
Advocating for change in a culturally sensitive manner within an organization demands constant evaluation and understanding of the cultural aspects that influence behavior, communication, and decision-making. Understanding these aspects helps to overcome barriers and resistance to change and in conflict resolution.
To advocate for change in a culturally sensitive manner, the first step is to be aware of and understand the cultures involved, including individual, community, and organizational culture. This understanding enables one to create strategies to address cultural differences when introducing changes. A strategy that might work well in one culture may not be effective in another. Understanding cultural differences is critical to identifying communication barriers and customizing communication approaches that will better suit each culture.
Cultural sensitivity can also assist in overcoming barriers and resistance to change. These barriers could be linguistic, structural, or resource-related. Linguistic barriers could be overcome by creating communication strategies in the language commonly used by the relevant culture. In the medical field, providing bilingual services or using translation services can overcome linguistic barriers. Structural barriers could be overcome by structuring the organization’s activities to be culturally competent and inclusive. Resource-related challenges could be addressed by creating opportunities to bridge the gap between communities and organizations through collaborative partnerships.
Cultural sensitivity also plays a vital role in conflict resolution. Resolving conflicts between cultures demands a clear understanding and appreciation of the cultural aspects that influence conflict. A culturally sensitive approach involves identifying the factors that drive conflict and addressing them in a manner that is respectful and inclusive. Mediation, negotiation, and compromise techniques that appreciate cultural differences can be effective in resolving conflicts.
In conclusion, advocating for change in a culturally sensitive manner involves an awareness and appreciation of the cultural aspects that influence communication, decision-making, and behavior. Understanding these aspects enables better decision-making and effective communication, enhances collaboration and partnerships, facilitates conflict resolution, and ultimately leads to the adoption of changes that are inclusive, respectful, and synchronizes with the cultural uniqueness of the organization and its constituents.
