Today I dealt with a personnel issue that I became aware of late Friday afternoon. I thought about the situation throughout the weekend pondering my path of action. I knew both parties needed to have their due process and I needed to get more information from their immediate supervisor. I met with both parties involved and we discussed the situation that had taken place. I was able to utilize the fourteen Personal Competencies For Establishing Cross-Cultural Relationships (Johnson, 2012, p. 374). The parties involved were not from different cultural backgrounds but the fourteen principles provided my guidance in handling the situation.
I believe these principles can be applied to just about any situation a leader may encounter. The principles include:
- Be nonjudgmental
- Be flexible
- Be resourceful
- Personalize observations (really shows the parties involved you are listening)
- Pay attention to thoughts and feelings (stay in charge)
- Listen attentively/observe carefully
- Assume complexity
- Tolerate the stress of uncertainty
- Have patience
- Manage personal biases
- Keep a sense of humor (maybe not in all situations but it can help as you prepare to handle the situation)
- Show respect
- Show empathy
I found the fourteen principles were very helpful. The saying goes…”Practice makes you perfect (we know nothing in life is perfect)…so the principles will make you an improved leader.
- Show respect
