Skip to content

Understanding Cultural Humility

The Partnership

September 15, 2022

Blog Categories

Anna-Lesa Calvert to present during D&I Virtual Learning Series

Cultural humility. The term may be unfamiliar, but it is a critical component to any organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

 

Anna-Lesa Calvert, Manager of Professional Development and Diversity at Hodgson Russ LLP, kicks off the Buffalo Niagara Partnership’s D&I Virtual Learning Series with her presentation “Building a Culture of Inclusivity through Cultural Humility” on October 6. As a preview, we spoke with Anna-Lesa to better understand why cultural humility is so important.

 

Can you define Cultural Humility?

There really isn’t a set definition, but I think about cultural humility as the ability to be humble about what you do and don’t know about another culture. It’s about being curious and open to asking questions and learning about others. We’ve talked about cultural competence which promotes communication among people of different backgrounds. Cultural humility takes it to the next level where we recognize there is still much we don’t know and we are intentional in finding out more.

How should employers and employees think about cultural humility? 

If organizations want to create environments that are inclusive, cultural humility should be a goal. That means employers should be willing to allow employees and associates to bring their whole selves to work, creating a safe space. It also means co-workers should be curious and interested enough about one another to take steps to learn more.

How does it play a role in everyday work life? 

Cultural humility helps create a culture in which everyone feels safe. It requires every employee or associate to do the inner work, in other words, the self-reflection needed to grow and learn. Cultural humility provides a space for learning.

Why is an understanding of this topic important for employers and employees? 

If your organization is fully committed to DE&I, you are committed to cultural humility. It is important for employees because it affects how they work together day in and day out, creating a workplace where they can feel safe and comfortable among one another.

Do you have an example of when this made a difference in one's work environment? 

One example involves the different holidays celebrated by different cultures. Easter, Ramadan and Passover have recently fallen within the same month and our firm has colleagues who celebrate one or the other. We created opportunities to ask questions and learn about the different holidays. We shared different cultural recipes enjoyed during these celebrations. It allowed us to highlight cultural differences, but it also revealed what connects and makes us all so similar.

Click Here to learn more and register for Anna-Lesa’s presentation in the D&I Virtual Learning Series on October 20.

Related Posts

Buffalo Niagara Partnership Announces 2022 ATHENA Organizational Award® Finalists 

By cciccarelli@thepartnership.org | March 21, 2022

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership is pleased to announced the Organizational Award Finalists for the 31st Annual ATHENA Awards.

Introducing Minority-Owned Business Initiative Participant: Strickly Business Safety Solutions, LLC

By cciccarelli@thepartnership.org | March 3, 2022

Darrin Strickland is the founder and CEO of Strickly Business Safety Solutions, LLC, a Buffalo-based company providing health and safety preparedness programs and services to clients across New York State. From authorized and certified CPR/AED training and workplace emergency preparedness, to defensive driving courses and babysitter certification, Strickland and his staff help businesses, schools, and individuals be safe and be ready in critical situations.

Introducing Minority-Owned Business Initiative Participant: Kiper Moving and Transportation

By cciccarelli@thepartnership.org | February 22, 2022

Deidre Batson Griggs is president of Kiper Moving and Transportation, a company she founded with her husband Dante that offers a full range of residential and commercial moving services, including long-distance and international moving.

9/24/21 Webisode: Navigating the New Federal Vaccine Mandate for Employers

By jveronica@thepartnership.org | July 13, 2021

President Joe Biden recently announced a new mandate requiring all employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their workforce is fully vaccinated or require weekly testing of unvaccinated workers.