Interculturalists, how can we use the study of personality?

As intercultural trainers, we often make sure to provide the disclaimer that culture is not an explanation for everything: each individual is different. And then we move on to talk about culture, because that is our expertise.

In a parallel universe, there exists another multi-million-dollar industry: of personality typology assessments and trainings. These help organisations and their employees understand how preferences differ and how teams can work better together. Sounds familiar?

The point of departure of both intercultural and personality trainings is the fact that people are different. And both share similar methods and goals: creating self-awareness, increasing understanding of others, fostering empathy, and improving communication and collaboration. So why are these two separate industries?

Separately, they both present an incomplete picture. The idea that culture and personality both influence a person is hardly new and is being studied in (interdisciplinary) academic fields such as cultural psychology and neuroscience, psychological anthropology, identity studies, and ethnolinguistics.

In my work and on my website, the question I raise is: how can we as interculturalists use insights of psychology and personality typologies to approach the fact that people are different more holistically?

Let’s open the discussion in our field and rethink interculturalism. Are you an interculturalist with an interest in making connections to the study of personality? Get in touch through my contact form or LinkedIn.