Strategies for Promoting Culturally Informed Conflict Management
With all the knowledge we have accumulated, there is one final step in the process. It is important for us to think about how we can promote culturally informed conflict management approaches for Indigenous employees in the workplace. There are a few ways we can address this issue, take some time to explore these options now.
The Seven Grandfather Teachings
The Seven Grandfather Teachings are a significant cultural teaching for Indigenous peoples that can inform conflict management for Indigenous employees. Wisdom, bravery, respect, honesty, humility, love, and truth are the seven interrelated principles of the Grandfather Teachings.
Watch this video for a telling of the Seven Grandfather Teachings, also known as the Seven Sacred Teachings:
How might the Seven Grandfather Teachings inform conflict management?
- Wisdom: using knowledge and experience to make decisions that benefit both parties
- Bravery: embracing a conflict rather than avoiding it
- Respect: honoring the opinions, experiences, and feelings of the other party
- Honesty: sharing your true opinions and feelings
- Humility: acknowledging that you and the other person are equals, regardless of hierarchical position
- Love: approaching the conflict with compassion for the other party
- Truth: pursuing the truth, regardless of whether the truth is self-serving
These teachings offer an understanding of self-focus and other-focus as a joint effort to restore balance within the self, within the relationship, and within the broader community.
Open Communication and Active Listening
Encouraging open communication and active listening are essential components for fostering inclusive intercultural dialogue. By creating an environment that values diverse perspectives and promotes attentive listening, individuals and organizations can cultivate meaningful interactions and bridge cultural divides. To achieve this, several strategies can be implemented:
- Establishing a safe and non-judgmental space: Creating an atmosphere where individuals feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and experiences without fear of criticism or prejudice.
- Emphasizing the value of diverse voices: Encouraging the participation of individuals from various cultural backgrounds and ensuring that all voices are heard and respected.
- Practicing empathy and validation: Promoting understanding and empathy towards different viewpoints, acknowledging the validity of each person’s experiences and emotions.
- Allotting sufficient time for active listening: Allocating dedicated time for individuals to express themselves and for others to attentively listen and comprehend their perspectives.
- Providing training in intercultural communication: Offering workshops and educational programs to enhance individuals’ skills in intercultural dialogue, including active listening and open communication.
By implementing these strategies, organizations and communities can create an environment conducive to open and respectful intercultural dialogue, fostering understanding and collaboration across diverse cultural backgrounds.
