Leadership and Culture: Cultural Autobiography

Every person has a cultural background and every cultural background influences a person. No matter the conditions of ones upbringing, they were culturally impacted. When I look at my own cultural upbringing, I tend to shy away from the word “cultural” and just claim that I had an upbringing. You see, unlike some, my childhood lacked cultural identity and was a simple upbringing. Yet, in that statement alone, I betray myself and my own ethnocentrism, not to the extent that I believe my culture to be better than another's (Northouse, 2010) but that I assume my culture is the norm. As a result, this exercise in defining my own ethnic heritage, cultural background and leadership influences reveals my lack of culture. Yet, as I study I find myself convinced that my lack of culture is my culture in itself: “white,” middle class American.

Delving into the depths of my heritage, I have discovered that the surnames which brought me forth can be traced to British origins. In this, one might assume my ability to grasp the early Scottish origins of Andrews (Bardsley & Bardsley, 1901) or the monastic origins of Prior (Bardsley & Bardsely, 1901), but neither played a role in my heritage apart from childhood fantasies of being related to Mary Poppins and current chuckles behind my chosen career path in relation to the origins of my name. Similarly, the knowledge of Blackfoot and Cherokee influences (however small they might be) have done little to influence my cultural background. I believe that these insights are telling of my ethnically “vanilla” heritage, which is a greater implication of “white,” middle class America to loosely hold onto that which ethnically defines and instead claim their current role, geographical location and situation as a “non-culture.”

In regards to my cultural background, a very similar tale can be told only with a strong Judeo-Christian influence. Culturally, I am able to trace a Christian faith and beliefs back many generations (technically to the middle ages and the founding of Benedictine monasticism (Benedict, 1952)). As such, I have a rich cultural background in Christianity, and the central beliefs of protestant beliefs. Paternally, I have a Lutheran background while I have a Baptist background maternally. Both have shaped my personal belief system, holidays and daily habits. Even though my culture is Christian, this is still connected to my “white,” middle class American claims as the majority of Americans claim to hold similar beliefs (Pew Research Center, 2007).

The leadership influences in my life are closely related to my ethnic heritage and cultural background, perhaps more than anything. Specifically, my Judeo-Christian beliefs have influenced my understanding of women in Church leadership and a man's role in the home. These views have been influenced by the specific text of the Bible and my background and heritage have reinforced their understanding and interpretation.

The leadership influences of my life have greatly reflected my heritage and culture. Within my Christian upbringing, there were also rural America influences. Combined, these bring about a distinct patriarchal leadership structure that has been evident from my teachers to my pastors. Having this structure in place, which was affirmed within my family structure, I too hold to a patriarchal leadership style within my own family. Beyond my family, our Church also holds to this style, which we affirm and are minimally part of as Sunday School teachers. I see this style as an indicator of my “white,” middle class American culture, especially when looking at the conservative rural communities.

As I conclude my autobiographical assessment, I find that I still must pause in order to see that my lack of culture is a culture in itself. Again, my own ethnocentrism shows me that being “white,” from a middle class family and an American has shaped me by removing the focus from my heritage and background and pointed the focus on my current situation and circumstance. My lack of cultural upbringing was an example of cultural upbringing.

References

Bardsley, C., & Bardsley, A. (1901). A dictionary of english and welsh surnames, by c.w. bardsley. London: Henry Frowde.

McCann, J. (1952). The rule of Saint Benedict. London: Burns and Oates.

Northouse, P. G. (2010). Leadership: theory and practice (5. ed.). London: Sage.

Religious Composition of the U.S.. (n.d.). affiliations-all-traditions-us. Retrieved October 29, 2011, from religions.pewforum.org/pdf/affiliations-all-traditions.pdf