With the lines of location and work blurring, collaborating with colleagues from across the world is now almost a given in global organizations. Not surprisingly, Harvard Business Review lists cross-cultural competence as one of the most valuable skills for 21st-century managers.
Each person brings their unique self to the workplace: a myriad of working styles, cultural expectations, verbal and non-verbal cues, approaches to handling conflict and more are continuously added to the mix. The challenges faced in navigating these cultural differences and driving inclusion are real.
How Immersive Cross Cultural Training Drives Inclusion
Usually following the “know yourself — understand the theory — apply the theory” model, cross-cultural training plays a key role in bridging this gap. But how can we make virtual training more engaging, bridge the physical gap, and offer real-life application in a way that fosters positive change in mindset and behavior? That’s where using immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) trumps other options.
Take the case of the well-used iceberg theory that is often part of cross-cultural training. In a traditional online session, content may be shared in the form of slides or videos, with discussions over online platforms or group chats. The level of engagement varies — especially when “camera-on” is optional and getting distracted is easy.
VR, with its immersive nature and “sense of presence,” engages the participant with minimal distractions while in the headset. Participants can gather around the 3D model of the iceberg, moving around it, adding notes or ‘writing’ comments above or below the surface to describe observed behaviors or hidden values and beliefs. The spatial aspect allows for more than one iceberg to be in the same ‘shared’ space if many cultures are to be represented. Finally, the customizable nature of avatars allows participants to bring their unique selves into the training room for a richer and more personal discussion that sticks.
4 Ways VR-Enhanced Cross-Cultural Training Drives Inclusion
1. It enhances empathy and understanding.
The immersive nature of VR and the socio-emotional response that it elicits allows for a greater understanding of different perspectives, cultures and challenges. These are crucial for fostering understanding and empathy.
In one example using immersive VR-enhanced role-play, globally dispersed participants met in a virtual company boardroom to discuss a conflict caused by the stark differences between the management and workers’ cultures that was drastically affecting morale, productivity and communication.
Fully immersed, with no outside distractions, and sitting “across” from each other in assigned roles and personalized avatars, participants experienced the conflict from an insider’s perspective, facilitating more authentic understanding.
2. It enhances cultural awareness and sensitivity.
VR allows users to be transported almost instantaneously to a completely different culture and to connect with colleagues there in real time. The muscle memory that comes from “being there,” allows for one to pick up on even the small nuances of culture that could be otherwise missed, building awareness of different cultures and opening the doors for mutual respect and acceptance.
360-degree VR immersions such as a visit to a local market or a business meeting in the head office allow for enhanced discussions about the differences in culture. The intuitive nature of immersive VR allows participants to get closer to a detail that interests them, swerve away from something in their way, or click on a hotspot with a pop-up question for more real-time learning.
The emotional response almost always serves as a catalyst to spark curiosity and discussions about critical cultural values such as hierarchy, gender roles, personal space, etc. This virtual first-hand experience gives participants a greater appreciation and awareness into the cultural fabric of their colleagues.
3. It builds trust and belonging.
There is something organic about sharing physical space and experiences that allows for a sense of comfort and belonging. The “phygital” environment — this unique feeling of physical space in a digital environment — mixed with the subtle anonymity of VR avatars reduces judgment and offers the perfect recipe for open discussions and sharing in cross-cultural training.
One exercise has participants trade “value cards” based on personal and cultural priorities. Conducted in a shared VR environment, this activity creates emotional connections that build trust. The added layer of anonymity from avatars allows participants to feel safe and more willing to open up.
While seemingly simple at first glance, the activity is consciously designed to have participants “hold,” “give way” and “receive” values in a shared virtual space. Before long, participants forget they are in fact miles apart. Strangers form emotional connections, which fosters vulnerability and builds trust
4. Reduces unconscious biases and stereotyping.
Most unconscious biases stem from ingrained stereotyping from societal and cultural expectations as well as from learned experiences. Cross-cultural training in VR challenges these quick judgments and generalizations to decrease misunderstandings, disengagement or feelings of disrespect.
Take the example of the widely used Hofsted’s cultural dimensions theory to explain cultural differences. In this version adapted for VR, all participants place themselves on a continuum for any one cultural dimension, say collectivism vs. individualism, standing first on their culture’s average score and then walking up or down the continuum to adjust their position based on their own individual experiences.
This “line dance” taps the spatial nature of VR, while the psychological safety that comes from being in a shared space draws out interesting personal stories and reasonings for remaining at or moving away from the norm. This allows for a greater appreciation for dynamism in cultural values and acceptance of each other’s unique backgrounds and individual journeys.
Final Words
Cultural differences in a geographically dispersed and culturally diverse workforce present real challenges. Addressing these differences is essential for creating inclusive environments where employees feel comfortable being their authentic selves.
VR’s ability to bring real-life applications to core cross-cultural competencies and tap into the emotional and sensory experiences helps foster understanding and empathy. For global companies, this is great news. VR-enhanced cross-cultural training offers a safe space to raise cultural awareness and ensure that all employees, no matter where they are located, feel valued and respected. The immersive nature of VR and the socio-emotional response that it elicits allows for a greater understanding of different perspectives, cultures and challenges.
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