Most likely someone you are working or interacting with holds a personal world view different than your own. Can that affect behaviors and expectations at work? You bet! Can that influence profitability? Absolutely. Positively or negatively depending on how we leverage the differences.

Nancy Adler in her book International Dimensions of Organizational Behavior explores the complexities differing cultural views and upbringing have on interrelatedness both internally and externally in the workplace. To begin to be aware and address the part culture plays at work, Adler suggests reflecting on the following steps. As a result ask yourself. What did you learn about you? What did you learn about those you may be working with (clients, colleagues etc.). The 21st century leader and valued employee is one who has the ability to manage difference and ambiguity. We hope this exercise will alert you to the differences you manage, and the opinions, beliefs and values you and others hold.

Activity: Adapted from International Dimensions of Organizational Behavior Adler

1. What are the cultural beliefs and attitudes you have about life and work? (Think back to messages you received when being raised as a child). How does your cultural upbringing hinder or help your ability to work with others different than yourself under your organizational structure? How are your beliefs similar or different from your organization's culture?

2. Identify value and cultural differences you may have with those working around you. Commonly the differences lay around the following areas:

How one perceives the use of time: One thing at a time business focus or many things occurring and relationships taking a precedence.

Communication: Direct to the point or more embedded in a lot of context and consideration of the "face" and feelings of the receiver.

Perceptions of power and hierarchy: Addressing and responding to people with regard to position or more equalitarian and less concerned with power.

Predominant relationship or task completion emphasis: Individualistic (own self) or collectivistic (group) orientation to work outcomes.

The first step in getting our worldview to be more inclusive of others is in knowing ourselves and what we were taught to hold as valuable personal work behaviors and outcomes. Step number two is being able to see differences DO exist. Sometimes this can best be facilitated by asking those around us what they value and how that is demonstrated through their work. We do not need to be threatened by differing values and views. We do, however, have a responsibility to figure out what value difference brings to the work and profitability at hand.