Leading in a Culturally Diverse Environment
Maria Franco-Cortes
Liberty University
Leading in a Culturally Diverse Environment
Cultural diversity is a problem because culture and communication influence each other
(DuBrin, 2018). Cultural activity cannot take place without communication, as sharing is only
possible through communication. Culture and communication are not the same, despite their
similarities and interdependence. Culture is a broad term that encompasses all human activities
within the created order, and communication is a crucial activity that is deeply entwined in the
cultural activity process. It is impossible to participate in cultural activities with others if one
cannot communicate (DuBrin, 2018). People develop relationships and thus live in and do
culture when they can communicate. If someone wants to learn about communicating across
cultures, he has to start by learning about himself. In Genesis 1:28, God instructed humanity to
fill the earth and subdue it (King James Bible, 2017). God also told humanity to reign supreme
over the sea life, the air life, and everything on the ground that moves. Developing and caring for
God's creation was given to humans here by God as their life's work.
The culture was born as a result of creation and the cultural mandate, and it is this cultural
influence on communicative behavior that must be considered when communicating across
cultures (Friday, 2019). People's nonverbal behavior and interpersonal relationships all show
signs of their cultural heritage. It also affects the way people relate to one another, both within
and outside of their immediate social circles, and prescribes communication styles for different
social contexts. Everything people do to improve communication is tainted by sin, including how
people communicate, shaped by upbringing. In other words, because it responds to questions
about God's creational revelations and focuses on a particular aspect of God's creation and
humanity's response, every culture has its unique beauty, dignity, and legitimacy. Because God's
creation includes a wide variety of people, participants must be open to that. If God desired
uniformity, he would not have created many different animals, birds, insects, and plant species,
and all humans would have the same physical characteristics (Vähäkangas, 2017). Even though
humanity was made in God's image, no two people are exactly alike, no matter how closely
related they may be. While God's creativity and the beauty of His creation can be seen in our
differences, we, in our sinfulness, allow racial, linguistic, political, and religious differences to
erode mutual respect and, with it, unity. Cultural differences reflect God's greatness, which is
something to be celebrated rather than decried.
God desires that we be transformed from the inside out. When we obey the Holy Spirit's
promptings, things in our lives begin to change. It takes time to become more like Christ. People
will be exposed to situations that God will use to either convict or shape us from time to time.
Influential intercultural contacts can be frustrating or fruitful depending on how worldviews
influence cultural differences like language, food, dress, work habits, and social behavior
(Vähäkangas, 2017). We can now see a glimpse of what God has in store for us in the New
Heavens and the New Earth when people from all over the world are reborn in the Spirit.
References
DuBrin, A. J. (2018). Leadership: Research Findings, Practice, and Skills (9th ed.). Cengage
Learning.
Friday, J. (2019). Christianity & religious diversity: Clarifying commitments in a globalizing
age. by harold A. netland. pp. 290, grand rapids, MI, baker academic, 2015,
$19.39. Heythrop Journal, 60(3), 472-473. https://doi.org/10.1111/heyj.13200
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org
(Original work published 1769).
Vähäkangas, M. (2017). Diversity in the structure of Christian reasoning: Interpretation,
disagreement, and world Christianity, written by joshua D. broggi. Exchange (Leiden,
Netherlands), 46(2), 207-210. https://doi.org/10.1163/1572543X-12341438
Discussion Reply: Leading in a Culturally Diverse Environment
Lauren,
The Bible paints a vivid picture of God's kingdom as a diverse place for all people.
Genesis 1:27 shows that we are all made in God's image and likeness (King James Bible, 2017).
Psalm 139: 13-14 reaffirms that every one of us is a unique expression of our Creator God's
creative and thoughtful design (King James Bible, 2017). Therefore, we were all created to
reflect the Lord because we are image-bearers. We can see that God's kingdom is diverse as
redeemed image-bearers because we are all made in his image. We are all made in God's image,
and therefore we are all equal. As far as God's design goes, there is no distinction between the
worth of one human being and the other. It is easy to see that God's kingdom includes many
ethnicities and nationalities because we are all made in His image and created to reflect and
worship Him (Fjeldstad, 2007).
The book of Revelation contains eye-opening descriptions of the final days when people
of all races, tribes, and languages will come together to worship Jesus. Except that we will all be
glorified, heaven will not be populated by a homogenous population. In heaven, there will be no
sin to keep us from God or one another. Instead of waging war on racism, we will focus on
finding ways to increase our diversity. We will have a diverse group of people here. We will give
our all to love. For all of eternity, we will gather to worship and enjoy one another's company.
The evidence of creation, redemption, adoption and Revelation all point to a multi-faceted
kingdom of God in the Bible. All through Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, we see God
working to save a diverse and colorful people group for himself (Whiteman, 1981). Finally,
DuBrin (2018) mentions that leadership ensures that all team members feel treated respectfully
and fairly, are valued and sense they belong and are confident and inspired.
References
DuBrin, A. J. (2018). Leadership: Research Findings, Practice, and Skills (9th ed.). Cengage
Learning.
Fjeldstad, A. H. (2007). Communicating faith: A personal journey. Transformation
(Exeter), 24(3/4), 250-254.
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org
(Original work published 1769).
Whiteman, D. L. (1981). Some relevant anthropological concepts for effective cross-cultural
ministry. Missiology, 9(2), 223-239. https://doi.org/10.1177/009182968100900209
Discussion Reply: Leading in a Culturally Diverse Environment
Stephanie,
We are all sinners in desperate need of God's saving grace (Merino,2010). Romans 3:23
says that humanity's fall from grace affects us all, and we are all unable to live up to God's glory
(King James Bible, 2017). The good news is that Jesus died for people from every nation, tribe,
and language. To demonstrate his love for humanity, John 3:15-16 shows how God provided an
opportunity for eternal life to anyone who would accept it. He paved the way so that everyone
could follow (King James Bible, 2017). He was sent on a mission to find and save everyone who
had gone astray. In Matthew 28: 19-20, God commands to make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the father's name and teaching them to obey everything (King James Bible,
2017). Jesus gave His followers a mission: they were to go and make disciples in every nation
(Vainio, 2016). He advised them (and us) to aim to love and serve people of all races and
ethnicities, regardless of their own. Even before He was crucified, Jesus made it clear how
important it is to be a member of God's family. While his mother and brothers watched from the
doorway, He addressed the crowd, asking his mother and brothers? Then, he said that everyone
who obeys his father's command is my family member (King James Bible, 2017). DuBrin (2018)
reaffirms that making diversity and inclusion a part of culture puts business ahead of the curve
and focusing specifically on the leadership team can help facilitate a top-down approach so that
it trickles through the entire organization.
References
DuBrin, A. J. (2018). Leadership: Research Findings, Practice, and Skills (9th ed.). Cengage
Learning.
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org
(Original work published 1769).
Merino, S. M. (2010). Religious diversity in a "Christian nation": The effects of theological
exclusivity and interreligious contact on the acceptance of religious diversity. Journal for
the Scientific Study of Religion, 49(2), 231-
246. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.14685906.2010.01506.x
Vainio, O. (2016). Salvation and religious diversity: Christian perspectives. Religion
Compass, 10(2), 27-34. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec3.12195
