I read an article on LinkedIn a few days ago titled Turning 'Otherness' Into an Asset. The article is written by Marina Gorbis and underlines, quite brilliantly and succinctly, what a person-with-an-accent experiences on a regular basis. Let me add that most of the times there is no malicious intent on the part of the listener. Usually, it is just a very pronounced interest in the origin of the accent and its native culture.
Never, ever, have I felt unequal to the rest of the world because of my Indian origin. I am proud of it. On the other hand, our son has the combined strength (and drawbacks) of two very distinct cultures to deal with. In the next few years once socializing starts (either at school or out of it) some people, in jest or otherwise, might underscore the fact that he represents, partly, a different culture. His test, and ours, would be how the question/ comment is handled.
That led me to think. Has this difference in culture ever made a difference to us professionally?
In an environment that encourages and celebrates diversity the answer can be both a Yes and a No. Yes, because the "outsider's" perspective might be something that people seek. No, because in the worst case scenario the presence of this diversity might not make any difference at all.
In another environment, that looks for obvious traits like gender or religion as the definitive marks of diversity, a cultural difference (frequently, although not always, coupled with an accent) might pose a threat. There have been multiple instances in people's lives where questions like "where are you from", or "where is the accent from" or my personal favorite "you speak good English" have been asked shrouded in ignorance.
Both of us are very lucky to be a part of organizations that celebrate "difference". Not all of us are. As a parent and a leader, all of us want to raise our children in an environment that provides to them the same platform as anyone else. Opportunities, successes and failures should not be greeted by the color of the passport but the person it belongs to.
In a team, and in the world at large, I truly hope that we invite, accept and celebrate thoughts, ideas and diversity...with an accent or without it.
Never, ever, have I felt unequal to the rest of the world because of my Indian origin. I am proud of it. On the other hand, our son has the combined strength (and drawbacks) of two very distinct cultures to deal with. In the next few years once socializing starts (either at school or out of it) some people, in jest or otherwise, might underscore the fact that he represents, partly, a different culture. His test, and ours, would be how the question/ comment is handled.
That led me to think. Has this difference in culture ever made a difference to us professionally?
In an environment that encourages and celebrates diversity the answer can be both a Yes and a No. Yes, because the "outsider's" perspective might be something that people seek. No, because in the worst case scenario the presence of this diversity might not make any difference at all.
In another environment, that looks for obvious traits like gender or religion as the definitive marks of diversity, a cultural difference (frequently, although not always, coupled with an accent) might pose a threat. There have been multiple instances in people's lives where questions like "where are you from", or "where is the accent from" or my personal favorite "you speak good English" have been asked shrouded in ignorance.
Both of us are very lucky to be a part of organizations that celebrate "difference". Not all of us are. As a parent and a leader, all of us want to raise our children in an environment that provides to them the same platform as anyone else. Opportunities, successes and failures should not be greeted by the color of the passport but the person it belongs to.
In a team, and in the world at large, I truly hope that we invite, accept and celebrate thoughts, ideas and diversity...with an accent or without it.
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