Executive Reflection
Aligned with UN global goals 2030
FREE eBook
As business leaders, coaches and mentors we are working in an increasingly remote and multicultural environment.
This FREE eBook discusses the 8 causes of cross-cultural mis-communication and how can we avoid them.
You know what it feels like when blank stares meet your carefully crafted meeting, when international teams are disengaged and misunderstandings occur. It can feel like progress is slow and objectives are far from being met.
When delivering Cross-Cultural Training and Leadership Coaching it is necessary to reflect on and voice cultural bias and possible misconceptions early on.
Discussing openly about both our differences and our similarities will help to build trust and bridge the gaps in our knowledge and understanding. When coaching and supporting others it’s important to consider how we put aside any intrusive thoughts or cultural bias we may have.
One of the most powerful strategies when leading cross culturally is to speak from the heart and to stay truly present and authentic. I share with my coaching clients about the kind of energy we bring to 1-2-1 and group Leadership Coaching sessions and how putting judgements aside and taking time to prepare ourselves for leadership coaching sessions is crucial to greater understanding.
Someone who brought true unconditional positive regard to his relationships was Nelson Mandela who said that:
To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others
When coaching and supervising others in a multicultural environment what are the tips and strategies leaders need to consider?
- Always start the relationship by sharing what unconscious bias you bring to the table
- Inquire about possible personal baggage, conflict or assumptions
- Find out about what may not be culturally obvious or spoken about
- When contracting agree timing, boundaries and cultural norms that may affect the sessions
- Start from a place of acceptance and tolerance
- Ask each other what needs to happen for us to trust and work well together
- Remind yourselves we are all unique and doing the best we can under the circumstances
- How might your own cultural experiences and ways of being affect the relationship
- Quite often it is you the client and a variety of cultures in the room together – be aware and speak of possible conflict and cultural stereotypes that may arise
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If you would like to discuss Cross Cultural Leadership in more detail, why not book a FREE 30 minute Zoom session with Jackie, just use the button below…