Multicultural Leadership Practices

Written by Suzanne Conroy, M.Ed., CTI, ICF

The Multicultural Act (1988) states everyone is equal, valued, respected, has the freedom to express themselves, and is protected under the law. I wish it were this easy. Culture is a social construct, and when we focus on our human landscape, our culture grows. Solving problems means understanding the challenges.

Challenge #1 – Poor Leadership

The more leaders know the more their followers will know (Young, 2015). Leaders influence their followers to help move them forward, but there is a ceiling of influence when one doesn’t have the knowledge, not to mention interest. Multiculturalism demands diverse consciousness, understanding, and continuous reflexivity. Great leaders address equity and cultural responsiveness in all aspects of leadership (Mikos et al. 2017).

Challenge #2 – Bias

That cultural bias is within the institution itself and individually (Minkos et al., 2017). People and organizations have implicit biases; ignoring these biases perpetuates a culture of non-acceptance and undervaluing of one another.

Challenge #3 – Lack of Education

We know that education shapes character (Rao, 2019).

Lack of education of self and the absence of reflective and reflexive practices.
Lack of education of each other. Being uncomfortable with engaging in courageous conversations and knowing one another’s story of multicultural identity (Young, 2015).
Lack of education of context. For example, the lack of knowledge about colonization and its negative impact on marginalization, discrimination, and superiority.

It’s our work as leaders of self and other to educate ourselves on who we are by understanding our intersectional identity, positionally, and work to understand others. I strive to coach and live from a social justice lens. My entire grad school was driven from a social justice lens, where I challenged my thinking, biases, privilege, and oppressive ways of behaving. It’s incredibly hard and sobering work that requires continuous commitment and learning to build a world where we can all thrive together.

References
Canadian Multiculturalism Act. (1988). http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-18.7/page-1.html#docCont
Minkos, M. L., Sassu, K. A., Gregory, J. L., Patwa, S. S., Theodore, L. A., & Femc, B. M. (2017). Culturally responsive practice and the role of school administrators. Psychology in the Schools, 54(10), 1260–1266. https://doi-org.libraryservices.yorkvilleu.ca/10.1002/pits.22072
Rao, I. (2019). A brief note on the role of ethical leadership in higher education institutions for sustainability. IUP Journal of Management Research, 18(4), 70-79. https://search-proquest-com.libraryservices.yorkvilleu.ca/docview/2322070753/fulltextPDF/C71D06ABB80848D7PQ/90?accountid=142373
Young, M. D. (2015). The leadership challenge: Supporting the learning of all students. Leadership & Policy in Schools, 14(4), 389–410. https://search-ebscohost-com.libraryservices.yorkvilleu.ca/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=url,cookie,ip,uid&db=ehh&AN=110643891