Know What You Don’t Know
You’ve heard of IQ, you’ve heard of EQ, but how is your CQ – cultural quotient – doing? While it’s true that we are all just human, it is equally true that the kind of society we grow up in shapes us. Successfully working together cross-culturally takes conscious effort on all our parts. Yes, all, because of globalization. The good news is intercultural competence is something we can grow in.
I offer trainings for both groups and individuals, from an introductory level onward, as well as speaking to more specific topics that may arise in daily intercultural interactions. Every training is based on specific needs analysis carried out in close contact with my client. Here is a selection of typical topics I cover, but certainly just ring me to discuss your organization’s needs in more detail.
Starting Points
Use these to get the brain juices flowing and then chat with me about your needs and goals for a training.
Discovering Water – Basics of Intercultural Competence
Learn how culture shapes each one of us, how that becomes relevant when we meet people from other cultures and how to meet each other to ensure a positive experience.
Discussion can include: cultural awareness, cultural values such as hierarchy, competition or individualism, applicability in life, tools to communicate well across cultures.
When Globalism Comes Knocking – Welcoming Internationals In
What can we expect when foreigners join local companies? To what degree can locals expect foreigners to adjust and to what degree can locals be expected to adjust? How can we move from a win-win to a team win? Discussion focuses on Swedish work culture and openness to other cultures in general, identifying particular Swedish values to keep in mind and work with and raising awareness of foreigners’ needs.
Moving From “Huh?” To “Aha!” – Intercultural Communication in the Workplace
Culture shapes how we communicate more deeply than simply determining which language we use, which means speaking a common language will not completely erase the risk of miscommunication. Take a look at some other factors to be aware of in everyday communications relevant to every part of life. Discussion can include giving and receiving feedback, cultural relationship to time, taking and giving direction, hierarchical relationships and the concept of face.
Sweden+ – Juxtaposing Specific Cultures
For Swedish organizations working closely with specific cultures, it can be beneficial to take a closer look at where the two overlap – or don’t – and strategies to work more effectively together. Discussion in this case will be tailored to the combination of cultures in question and which values and habits are most relevant.
Riding the Rollercoaster – Life in a New Place for the Whole Family
Opportunities for foreign hires to acclimate abound: the work day, after work mingles, trainings and conferences. What about the partners and children they may bring with them? Accompanying families face unique challenges, but education and strategies for adjustment can help everyone take it in stride. Discussion can include culture shock, adaptation techniques and the cultural adaptation curve.
