The History of the Future

If you are working with colleagues that are hesitant immigrants into today's digital learning environment and networking, the following thoughts are offered toward moving closer to be part of the history of the future. As those of us digital immigrants work alongside digital natives, we can become more comfortable in this new culture and communication environment if we start switching our cultural code.

 

Last week in Ft. Wayne, IN, I shared with those attending ACDA's Central Division Conference two experiences that helped me switch my cultural code in other contexts. When I lived in England in 2004-2005, after struggling for a couple of months with integrating into the social environment there, I eventually found that I could begin a conversation with most U.K. natives by first commenting on the weather (Our U.K. readers will laugh, but Kate Fox affirms this technique in her book Watching the English: The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour). A weather conversation provided the culture code shift I needed to move to a meaningful conversation regarding British or American politics, the Sea Symphony, the economy, or the latest fox hunting controversy–a "weather" chat provided the necessary cultural code shift. A second example of switching culture codes came for me as I learned to relate to my teenage daughter's popular music preferences. I learned to ask her to download a playlist from her favorites that she thought I would enjoy listening to as I excercised or take with me for listening on an extended trip. She was happy to share her own listening favorites, and I found that her music helped me switch my culture code a little closer to hers.

 

As you think about switching cultural codes into the digital culture, a first step is to analyze and identify basic obstacles. The second step is to adapt your behavior to reduce your distress. There simply is no point in living in anger and resentment over the new digital culture. Andrew Molinsky says this means "making small but meaningful adjustments that are both appropriate in the new setting and true to your own values." He continues, "It may mean electing behavior that blends elements of both cultures." Thirdly, we need to fully appreciate the value of code switching by accepting that apps, Mp3s, texting, ChoralNet, Facebook, Dropbox, Wikis, and on and on is the culture of the present and the future. And finally, like living in a foreign country, we need to put ourself in the shoes of digital natives and work to understand the world from their perspective (…and yes, the irony of talking about this on ChoralNet did occur to me, but this isn't the only place I am talking about this topic).

 

For an excellent article on skills needed for 21st century management and leadership, including shifting culture codes, see the January-February 2012 Harvard Business Review article here.