Takeaway: Practising Reflection
The most practical strategy is to develop a habit of reflection.
Instead of asking only: “What is their culture?”
We should also ask: “Which assumptions am I making right now?”
This simple question helps us to slow down, avoid rushing into stereotype-driven interpretations and remain open to multiple perspectives.
The goal is to become more aware of them and more flexible in our responses.
Exercise: pause and check your assumptions
Step 1. Take a few quiet moments to reflect on your own experiences. Think of a recent situation (at work, at home, or online) where someone’s behaviour surprised or puzzled you.
For example: a colleague who didn’t respond in a meeting, a student who remained silent or a friend who acted differently than you expected.
Step 2. Write down your first impression of what happened.
Then reflect: “Which assumptions am I making right now?”
Consider cultural differences, personality, context or other external factors.
For example: “Maybe they are processing the question internally, or in their culture, silence is a sign of respect.”
Step 3. Next, think about how being aware of these assumptions might change your response in the future. Write 1-2 sentences describing how you could approach a similar situation differently, keeping multiple perspectives in mind.