Personal Learnings

Lynne Forbes-Zeller

Pepperdine University

MSOD 620A – Transorganizational Systems and Future Forms of Organizations

Dr. Chris Worley

 Important Learnings

Multicultural Awareness

After hearing Dot's story, I reflected upon my preconceived notions about South

African (SA) culture. I thought about the impact of apartheid, post-apartheid realities,

and the contrast to my white experience in the United States. Dot's struggles humanized

the reality of the black South African.

As a result of Dot's story, coupled with the George Floyd events, I am revisiting

my existing patterns and values towards race. I am taking a fresh look how accurate is

my perception? Do I understand what black American's desire? How well do I connect

with my fellow human beings who are from different ethnic/racial groups and cultural

traditions? When I reach out, what biases surface? How would they be overcome? I am

also working to create a safe space to have meaningful discussions about racism.

I cannot change what I am not connected to. I will continue to explore my biases

and begin new conversations. It is safe to say; I do not fully understand the SA or

American black experience. That said, I am ready to be uncomfortable and have

conversations with black Americans about their experience, what diversity and inclusion

efforts look like, and how to advocate for change in my community.

Ubuntu, "I am because we are" or "humanity towards others."

During 620A, I learned about African spirituality and values. To exist in black SA

means to be so for the community and the other, with the self-emerging from the

relationship with others and the natural environment. The meaning of Ubuntu resonates

deeply with me. Ubuntu embodies my point of view and why I chose to enter OD. For
the love of people and community, to encourage equality and human wellbeing, and to

achieve my purpose by helping others achieve their purpose.

Consulting

The SA project changed my perception about the level of impact we could

achieve in a brief virtual multicultural consulting engagement. Perceived cultural and

racial norms did not undermine our efforts. The SA consulting experience left me with

greater confidence in multicultural work and virtual cross-cultural consulting.

Personal Growth

During the SA consulting project, I had the privilege of learning more about

generational differences. The generational assumptions were almost always inaccurate;

more importantly, they disrupted the project flow. Additionally, one of our members

claimed that "conflict is her juice," which presented as. As a result of the generational

differences and different work styles, my communication skills improved. These

behaviors helped me learn more about how I and others show up. Despite working on

group norms to have a better understanding of everyone’s values, attitudes, beliefs, and

what behaviors they create, this did not guarantee positive results. I had the opportunity

to ask the individual that likes conflict how they collect data to understand and verify if

their point of view is accurate. This experience helped me formulate a framework of

questions that I could use when one assumes their assumptions, labels, and opinions

are always correct.

Unfounded generational views create inefficiencies in project work, and they

make team dynamics complex (exhausting). The SA consulting group experience

sharpened my listening and observational skills and helped me see generational

behavioral patterns sooner. The experience also helped me examine the relationships

between stereotypes, favoritism in groups, and in-group bolstering effects across

generations.