Going Against Core Principles and Values... Tough

CQ Has to Work from Both Ends
Wulf-Dieter Krueger, Teacher, Thailand, Member
The entity as well as the employee have to have CQ. After all, the entity hires expats to assist them meeting its objectives outside its own culture.
If the entity insists on the employee to totally adapt to its own culture, as may be observed in Asia quite often, the employee is a mere adornment to the entity without objectives (provided there were any) being achieved.

Analyse Company Culture First...
Tsangue Tchiaze, Student (University), Cameroon, Member
It is good to study and be well informed of the culture you are venturing into, so as to determine if it is inline with your values and belief system or not, otherwise you might end up creating a problems both ways that might not be solved easily.

Going Against Core Principles
Graham, Teacher, Thailand, Member
It is good to study and be well informed of the culture you are venturing into, so that when you have been sacked, you understand the reasons why. An easy solution for the employer which causes unknown repercussions for the employee in a foreign land.

Going Against Core Principles
James R Taylor, Manager, United States, Member
Good point concerning core principles or values. The core principles/values of an individual are what define that individual and to repudiate them in part or in whole would seem to negative all that makes up one's being.
However, even those precepts that go against one's own core principles/values should be viewed with as little prejudice as possible for the activity, values and/or principles that are exhibited as diametrically opposed to the observer's core values/principles are what makes the one engaged in such practices who they are within their culture.
Who is to judge which is right?

Going Against Core Principles
Graham, Teacher, Thailand, Member
I agree. It is not a matter of who is right or wrong. Everyone is an individual even though they may demonstrate cultural traits. It is possible to come to agreement on matters that are mutually beneficial to both parties if each party respects the other's position.

Adapt to Evolving Changes
Daniel Newton Obaka
Graham, you are right to note the challenges facing the evolving cultural integration. On the other, unwillingness on the part of humans to adapt to the fast growing changes negates the many positive opportunities presented by cultural integration through information technology revolution- internet technology. The world is going very fast and humans must not wait to be crushed by the speed of change.
Let us come out of our 'considered- secured cultural- box' and join the race to adapt the revolutionary changes that are taking place and are affecting global population in unique ways.

Challenging Core Values
Arif ur Rehman, Professor, Pakistan, Member
Mr. Graham I fully appreciate your problem - a situation challenging one's core values and principles, in an alien culture.
The answer lies in the phrase Do in Rome as the Romans do, but only to the extent where Rome is neither 'unethical' nor challenges your core values of professional integrity.
If it does, don't imitate Rome.

Challenging Core Values
Graham, Teacher, Thailand, Member
Arif Ur, you have hit the nail on the head!

Consider this an Opportunity to Challenge our Core Values!
Karen Petersen
However, I think that living and working in another culture is an opportunity for each of us to examine our own core values to see how culturally bound they are. We can analyze the culture we live in to broaden our own perspective on values issues. That's the rich benefit of interacting in a deep way with another culture.

Challenging Core Values
Wulf-Dieter Krueger, Teacher, Thailand, Member
Agreed, however, as said before, there is only a rich benefit if there is interaction at both ends. I observed that in the institution I work this does not happen and the aliens (Westerners and Asians alike) are constantly accused of not understanding, and the perception is that there is no effort in trying to understand the challenge, because of deficits in managerial skills.

Stand Up for what You Value and Believe In
Tamara Mislan, Student (University), United States, Member
Mr. Graham I taught in a large non profit organization where the company culture was very bias. I stood up against them to practice what they preach. The organization values leadership and educating the vulnerable. I felt the need to let the administrator know that I should teach them about disabilities and how to accommodate those children and families. They looked at me like I was stupid.
I let them know that we have laws that support people with disabilities. I made many changes there. Until they said get out or we will force you out. So I told them I have strong values and beliefs and this organization definitely does not have those same values and beliefs. I quit!

Stand Up for ..
Wulf-Dieter Krueger, Teacher, Thailand, Member
@Tamara Mislan: To quit is not an option, really, since at the core there are the students who need our help.
If biased management cannot be charmed into changing their attitude, one should try ones best to have the students experience another world/concept of values than they have been exposed to by their dim local management (stuck in methodological approaches of about 60 years ago) who do not have a clue about didactics and the various strands of psychology required for teaching effectively.
Focus on fostering the students, ignore the local management and tell them off, if they try to interfere - the students will appreciate your work, much to the chagrin of the local management.
WDK.

I Quit the Organization Because they do not Practice Healthy Values
Tamara Mislan, Student (University), United States, Member
@Wulf-Dieter Krueger: There is no hope for the organizations bias opinions. After working there for over ten years I decided to take a step to the other side and study Business Administration. I have more to offer in that position. I am offering my capabilities to my classmates now with helpful information they may not have the time to learn, and motivating them with my team working ethics.

Stand Up for what You Believe In
Sandra Osbon, Entrepreneur, United States, Member
As a non-profit organization, perhaps accommodating people with disabilities was beyond the organization's goal direction. The function of an acting manager for a non-profit is to cooperate in utilizing the company's resources in line with its stated goals. Although standing up for disabled people is noble, the company might not have had the resources.

Stand Up for what You Believe In
Wulf-Dieter Krueger, Teacher, Thailand, Member
If you work in institutions, where 'natives' work, having a government official life-time job, because it is a secure job for a secure salary, you will always have the issue of resources not being available - intellectual resources due to the unwillingness of those people to acquire the knowledge required for the ever changing modern world. They graduated and that is it - life-time learning is alien to them, because it means work. Their motivation is the salary, not the job itself to take pride in one’s achievements and improvements.
Consequently, they will edge out the 'alien', who cares for the students and tries to provide them with a better outlook. In this country (Thailand) I have met very few exceptions. Steve Graham will confirm this, as we have worked in the same institution - idleness and arrogance prevail, if not even ignorance of the outside world introduced by the 'aliens'.