Chapter 4 Activity 1
Cultural Awareness Interviews
Name:____________________________________ Date:__________
We all belong to many cultures which are formed by our histories, circumstances and
choices. The first step in learning about culture is to humbly ask questions and listen.
The purpose of this activity is to explore cultural conditions and how they relate to
some supervisory issues. Start with yourself and people with whom you are familiar so
you can get comfortable asking the questions and really listening to the responses.
Once you are comfortable with the questions, interview a supervisee or a professional
colleague. Use the table below to record the responses from your interviews. Try to
pick at least two people that are different from you in some way (e.g., race, ethnicity,
gender, nationality, religion). How W.E.I.R.D. were your responses and the responses
of others? How do you think most professionals in your discipline would answer these
questions? Reflect and discuss.
These questions and discussion items are based on the scholarship of several groups (e.g., Ala’i-Rosales, Ferris, & Fabrizio,
2014; Miller, Re Cruz & Ala’i-Rosales, 2019; Lewis, 2006; Lynch & Hanson, 2011; Mirsky, 2013; Roysircar, 2004).
Friend from a Similar Culture:
Friend from a Different Culture:
Supervisee or colleague from a Different Culture:
Tell a story or two about your life and/or the life of one of your family members.
You
Culture)
(Similar
Friend
(Different
Culture)
Friend
Supervisee/
Colleague
Building & Sustaining Meaningful & Effective Relationships as a Supervisor and Mentor 1
LeBlanc, Sellers, & Ala'i (2020).
Chapter 4 Activity 1
Cultural Awareness Interviews
Describe your culture(s). Identifiers? Heritage? Geography? Race? Ethnicity? Religion?
Social class? Gender identity? Gender preferences? Education? Socioeconomic level?
Culture) You
(Similar
Friend
Supervisee/ (Different
Culture)
Friend
Colleague
What are some of the most important things that have happened to you in your life?
Culture) You
(Similar
Friend
Supervisee/ (Different
Culture)
Friend
Colleague
Building & Sustaining Meaningful & Effective Relationships as a Supervisor and Mentor 2
LeBlanc, Sellers, & Ala'i (2020).
Chapter 4 Activity 1
Cultural Awareness Interviews
Make a list of your top five priorities in life. Make a pie chart of your week. How much
time do you spend in different activities? How much of that relates to your life priorities?
Culture) You
(Similar
Friend
Supervisee/ (Different
Culture)
Friend
Colleague
Discuss specific beliefs and values related to work performance and importance.
Culture) You
(Similar
Friend
Supervisee/ (Different
Culture)
Friend
Colleague
Building & Sustaining Meaningful & Effective Relationships as a Supervisor and Mentor 3
LeBlanc, Sellers, & Ala'i (2020).
Chapter 4 Activity 1
Cultural Awareness Interviews
Discuss specific beliefs and values related to family composition and importance.
Culture) You
(Similar
Friend
Supervisee/ (Different
Culture)
Friend
Colleague
Discuss specific beliefs and values related to authority, equality, hierarchy & respect.
Culture) You
(Similar
Friend
Supervisee/ (Different
Culture)
Friend
Colleague
Building & Sustaining Meaningful & Effective Relationships as a Supervisor and Mentor 4
LeBlanc, Sellers, & Ala'i (2020).
Chapter 4 Activity 1
Cultural Awareness Interviews
Discuss specific beliefs and values related to time and scheduling.
Culture) You
(Similar
Friend
Supervisee/ (Different
Culture)
Friend
Colleague
Discuss specific beliefs and values related to skill performance and ethics.
Culture) You
(Similar
Friend
Supervisee/ (Different
Culture)
Friend
Colleague
Building & Sustaining Meaningful & Effective Relationships as a Supervisor and Mentor 5
LeBlanc, Sellers, & Ala'i (2020).
Chapter 4 Activity 1
Cultural Awareness Interviews
Discuss specific beliefs and values related to diversity. How many friends do you have
with distinct cultural identities different than your own? How important do you think this is?
Culture) You
(Similar
Friend
Supervisee/ (Different
Culture)
Friend
Colleague
Building & Sustaining Meaningful & Effective Relationships as a Supervisor and Mentor 6
LeBlanc, Sellers, & Ala'i (2020).
