There is an increasing focus on technology and the inevitable automation of jobs in the next decade. With that, comes discussion around the best way to prepare our children for this shift; how best to educate, and what soft and hard skills will be the most relevant. Unquestionably, the research suggests that interpersonal skills, will be one of the most critical and enduring of the soft skills necessary to be successful in the coming years. When we talk about interpersonal skills we are referring to the skills we use every day to interact with others. These skills may include, communication (verbal and non-verbal), listening, negotiating, problem solving, and showing empathy.
We must also recognize that interpersonal skills are very culture specific. The particulars in socializing, such as appropriate conversations, funny jokes, how to build trust, how to comfort, these are all influenced by culture and controlled by subtle cultural cues. As children, we learn these particulars by osmosis, by being exposed to and observing the behavior of those around us. We try out certain conversations, reactions, jokes and overtime and through experience, learn which ones are acceptable and which ones are not, until subconsciously, we behave according to our cultural norms. Usually it is when we find ourselves traveling and outside of our norms, that we begin to realize that not everyone shares our sense of humor, or our affective or neutral nature.
Assuming we accept both ideas; that fluency in interpersonal skills is tantamount to success, and we recognize that this skill is deeply rooted in culture, then we have to prepare our children for the added dynamic of a globalized world, where interactions with people from different cultures will be inescapable. As such, it is not enough that our children have strong interpersonal skills within their own ‘home culture’ but they must be acutely aware that there are other, equally as valid, perspectives through which to view the world and that the most successful among the next generation will be those who can seamlessly style switch. This means they can recognize their own bias, effortlessly identify those of the people around them and then consciously choose which approach would bring them the outcome they desire.
This is not a new skill, but while the 21stcentury saw this proficiency primarily for those living an expat lifestyle, the 22ndcentury, with its focus on interpersonal skills and the global community, will see this dexterity as critical regardless of how far from “home” one may be living and working.
Intercultural Consultant 