PEOPLE, CULTURE, AND PERCEPTIONSKATE CLARKE, PhD.SAUDI ARAMCO: Where Energy Is Opportunity

SOME OF THE FIRST CHOICE WORDS THAT COMES TO MIND

▪ History

▪ Population

▪ Race

▪ Color

▪ Creed

▪ Religious Faith

▪ Social Economic Background

▪ 2B in 1939 ▪ 6B in 1999

PEOPLE CULTURE AND PERCEPTIONS

▪ 2B in 1939 ▪ 6B in 1999

7.4B in 2016

PEOPLE CULTURE AND PERCEPTIONS

HOW DO WE DEFINE CULTURE?Culture determines what is acceptable or unacceptable, important or unimportant, right or wrong, workable or unworkable. Three fundamental levels at which culture manifests itself:

Observable artifacts

Values

Basic underlying assumptions

CULTURE ≠ IDENTITYIdentities consist of people’s answers to the question: Where do I belong?

Culture is learned

Culture affects behavior and interpretations of behavior

Culture is associated with social groups

Minf

Mindlessness

Trapped by categories Automatic Behavior Acting from a single

perspective

Mindfulness

Creation of new categories Welcoming new information More than one view

PERCEPTIONS

PERCEPTIONSMindfulness and Ethnic Diversity - The more interaction these individuals with similar viewpoints have as we become increasingly a global economy, the more homogenized they are likely to become, and the more intolerant to differences and diversity.

Mindfulness, Stereotyping and Prejudice - Most attempts to combat prejudice have been aimed at reducing our tendency to categorize other people. These efforts are based on the view that, in an ideal world, everyone should be considered equal, falling under the single category of ‘human being.’

Mindful Observation - Mindful observation involves an O–D–I–S (observe–describe–interpret–suspend evaluation) analysis.

3 High-Leverage Practices to develop employees’ sensitivity, inclination, and ability with regard to mindfulness: looking closely, exploring possibilities and perspectives introducing ambiguity

HOW DOES THIS HELP THE COMPANY’S BOTTOM LINE?▪ A diverse workforce drives economic growth and reduce man hour.

▪ A diverse workforce can capture a greater share of the consumer market.

▪ Recruiting from a diverse pool of candidates means a more qualified workforce.

▪ A diverse and inclusive workforce helps businesses avoid employee turnover costs.

▪ Diversity fosters a more creative and innovative workforce.