Final answer:
The initial step in achieving cultural competence is exploring and understanding one's own cultural beliefs and biases. Embracing cultural competence involves learning to respect, communicate, and collaborate across cultural differences, which is crucial in a globalized society and work environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first step in becoming culturally competent is exploring one's own cultural beliefs. This foundational step is critical because it helps in recognizing and understanding one's own cultural viewpoints and biases before attempting to engage with or learn about other cultures. Increasing cultural awareness and sensitivity is essential for avoiding ethnocentrism and valuing the diversity and complexity of different cultures. Embracing cultural competence involves learning to respect, communicate, and collaborate across cultural differences, which is crucial in a globalized society and work environment.