Leaders need to know how culture is created and developed. Tradition is an important aspect of culture. But the culture definition isn't limited to practices passed down through generations. Culture evolves as people learn new things, experience other places and practices or adopt new values or norms.
Education plays a major part in how culture is formed. It also affects what we retain and preserve as worthwhile beliefs, customs and behaviours in our cultures. And beyond that, new generational experiences teach us how to change and adapt in order to survive well, and both of these intimately affect our corporate culture and how we lead.
Here is a deeper look at how culture is shaped by education, how practical, action-oriented education leads to long-term preservation, and how having deeper cultural awareness can prevent blindspots as a leader.
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The Role of Education in Culture
Understanding how culture is formed through education is crucial for preserving it and ensuring that future generations can connect with their heritage.
Culture is passed down through generations by both formal education and informal learning. Traditions such as dance, language, and crafts may be taught in structured settings, but much of culture is also learned through participation in community activities and family gatherings.
More than just art or cuisine, culture encompasses a community's shared knowledge, beliefs, values, and practices, shaping its unique identity and worldview. At its core, culture is formed through education — both experiential and instructional.
How Education forms Culture
Whether through formal training, organized classes, family celebrations, storytelling, casual conversations with elders, or activities with other community members, each generation inherits and adapts these cultural elements. Without these methods of passing practices and attitudes to future generations, a culture would eventually disappear.
Here are some examples and ways education helps maintain cultural heritage.
Traditional dance - Flamenco, a music and dance style that combines Spanish, Roma, and Arab cultures, remains popular in southern Spain. Meanwhile, hula, a narrative dance style dating back more than two centuries, remains popular in Hawaii with formal classes and competitions.
Language revival - Formal education efforts are underway to revive native languages in Canada. In the U.S., at least one native language, Navajo, is widely spoken in tribal lands in the Southwest.
Traditional medicines - Healing traditions like India's Ayurveda system use herbs and health practices passed down through generations.
Beyond these examples, education also plays an important role in the evolution of cultural practices. Consider the fields of science, technology, and law. While rooted in cultural contexts, these areas continue to evolve as they are passed from one generation to the next.
It's also vital for each generation to understand the importance of cultural practices. For instance, blacksmithing was once essential for providing items needed for everyday life and work. Though metal fabrication has been modernized, the art of hand-making products remains an important cultural practice for some people.
Impact of education on cultural preservation
Cultural preservation is not simply about documenting traditions; it’s about keeping them alive through active engagement and teaching. Education is a way to formalize cultural practices and gives the next generation the knowledge to take part and, in turn, pass the culture on to their children.
Teaching traditional practices is essential for the preservation of culture, as it ensures some aspects remain intact even as the culture evolves. Also, education can provide a general understanding and awareness of other cultures, which can help leaders incorporate the needs, values, and practices of others when making decisions or policies.
1. The critical role of education
When knowledge is lost, it erodes a key part of a culture's identity. This is why educational initiatives such as cultural immersion programs and apprenticeships are vital for ensuring that traditions are actively practiced and passed on. These programs help bridge the gap between abstract knowledge and practical application. It covers the "how-to" but adds meaning to the practices. Culture will evolve, but education ensures that the link to previous generations remains and that even as the culture evolves, the framework remains consistent.
For example, in Japan, Noh theatre, a centuries-old form of performance art, is taught through apprenticeships where students dedicate their lives to mastering the craft. This commitment ensures that the cultural significance of Noh is preserved for future generations.
2. Barriers to knowledge transmission
When education is too theoretical or rule-based, it may fail to inspire real engagement. Overly formal education doesn't provide the knowledge to actually use the practice in the real world,, disconnected from its practical origins, and thus less engaging.
For example, learning about traditional craftsmanship in a classroom without touching a tool can diminish the cultural significance of the skill. Or learning a language through rote memorization and grammar rules is less effective than immersive language education, which involves speaking, listening, and engaging with native speakers.
3. Importance of hands-on learning
It's important to learn how culture shapes education systems. Hands-on education — such as community workshops or language immersion programs — provides a more direct link to cultural practices. An example is the rapid growth of Indigenous language programs, where participants learn through daily practice rather than textbooks.
It is also crucial to focus on disseminating at risk knowledge such as traditional ecological knowledge among indigenous communities. If younger generations are not involved in hunting, fishing, and gathering practices from an early age, much of this critical environmental knowledge is lost. Thus, hands-on education becomes an indispensable tool for preserving both culture and the environment.
How is culture created in an organization?
Education can also be a tool for cultural change within a company. The relationship between education and culture highlights its importance not just for maintaining traditions or the status quo, but also for fostering cultural growth and adaptability. By passing down knowledge and values, education ensures that a culture, whether national or corporate, remains relevant and evolving.
In today’s globalized business environment, leaders must recognize that cultural awareness training and inclusive practices can enhance their company’s ability to thrive in multicultural markets. When leadership prioritizes education that promotes understanding and appreciation of diverse cultural perspectives, it creates a more inclusive work environment. This, in turn, allows the company to innovate, better serve diverse customer bases, and build stronger relationships in various global markets.
1. The "not a problem" mindset in leadership
One of the biggest challenges leaders face is recognizing issues they don’t personally experience. Blind spots in leadership can occur when it comes to gender, race, or cultural bias. Decision-makers don't consider something a problem because they don't understand it.
For example, a corporate leader may not experience gender bias, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist within their organization. A lack of cultural awareness may lead to poor decision-making and can affect the well-being of employees in the workplace, causing damage to employee satisfaction, brand reputation, and talent retention.
2. Leadership and cultural awareness
Diverse leadership is a necessity for organizations that want to thrive. Leaders who actively increase their cultural awareness are better equipped to make decisions that consider the needs and perspectives of all stakeholders. By listening to different voices and understanding varied viewpoints, leaders create an environment that fosters inclusivity and creativity.
Companies with diverse leadership teams have been shown to foster more innovation and creativity. This is because they avoid groupthink and benefit from the varied perspectives that come from having leaders with different cultural and life experiences.
3. Diversity and inclusion in leadership
The absence of diversity in leadership can lead to narrow decision-making, which may ultimately stifle cultural growth within an organization or community. Policies and strategies created without considering the needs of all communities can result in division. Inclusive leadership, on the other hand, ensures that decisions reflect the diverse makeup of the team, driving not only cultural preservation but also cultural innovation.
Embracing cultural education
Understanding culture as the accumulation of education helps us realize the importance of both preserving traditions and adapting to new realities. By emphasizing hands-on, practical learning, we can ensure that cultural knowledge is passed down effectively and accessible to future generations while fostering diverse and inclusive leadership that ensures organizations can navigate the complexities of modern, multicultural workplaces.
Cultural preservation isn’t just about looking to the past. It’s about ensuring that our shared histories, traditions, and values can evolve and remain relevant in modern society. Leaders who value diversity and inclusivity will be key to driving this forward.
Let’s work together to preserve the richness of human culture and ensure it thrives for generations to come. Reach out to see how we can help your leaders build the inclusive culture you've always wanted.