The Importance Of Cultural Competence In The Workplace

It is really true that sometimes, as much as we try to build rapport with our clients, we are faced with a client we do not like. We may feel some bias toward them as a person, their behaviors or values or disagreement with their behavior and their choice. I have had a similar situation where a client did not like me as a person and resulted in name calling using racial slur which I thought it was inappropriate and offensive. After lodging several complains to my boss nothing actually came out, but I had no option than to leave my place of work.
I have come to the realization that; I might develop a deeper understanding of my feeling to be able to work with this person by being aware of myself. The National Association of Social Workers position on self-awareness states that, “Social workers shall develop an understanding of their own personal and cultural values and beliefs as a first step in appreciating the importance of multicultural identities in the lives of people. Cultural competence includes knowing and acknowledging how fears, ignorance, and the “isms” (racism, sexism, ethnocentrism, heterosexism, ageism, classism) have …show more content…
Developing cultural competence will have a positive effect on me, in the sense that my personal belief will not override my professional belief as a social worker. I will put aside my feelings and belief systems for the sake of helping the client. Another important thing is to main a professional relationship with a client. Maintaining a professional relationship with a client is there by setting boundaries. When a boundary with a client is too weak or rigid, it affects the professional relationship. I will, do this by checking on my own emotions when working with a client and valuing myself, backing my words with