As the learning pyramid above illustrates, new skills are best synthesised through a variety of approaches. The upper portions of the pyramid are largely applied techniques in a training environment while the lower three on the pyramid would apply more to facilitation, coaching and consultancy. Depending on the goals of the person or the company, any one or number of the below services can be employed to ingrain learning .
Consultancy
There are many opportunities within organisations to harness diversity and demonstrate inclusiveness. Whether it be
- on -boarding new employees or clients from different cultures
- navigating sensitively through conflict,
- ensuring policies and manuals are culturally sensitive,
we can work together to ensure that respect is ever present.
Culture Training
Living and working with cultures different from one’s own requires awareness and appreciation of difference. To be successful with diverse stakeholders, one needs to be aware of possible cultural bias, motivated to understand differences, and capable of adapting, when appropriate. Adapting through switching styles is both an art and a science, honed by awareness, education, and judgement.
Bespoke training sessions are crafted for clients (individual or group) based on the desired outcomes. They may be delivered in person or virtually, to individuals or teams, to management level or individual contributors. All training includes elements of self and other awareness and skill building, with a focus on inclusiveness.
Coaching:
Personal and professional functioning in a culture different from one’s own can be simultaneously confusing yet fun, challenging yet interesting, frustrating but ultimately rewarding. Having a safe place in which to think through one’s experiences and learn from successes and challenges helps to ensure experiences contribute positively to personal and professional growth.
Intercultural Coaching can be one-on-one, or as a group. It can benefit anyone, and has been proven to be useful for:
- Executives looking to ensure that their IQ and EQ, honed in their home culture, are appropriately positioned for new cultures.
- Teachers, who need to ensure culturally appropriate behaviour and responses to their students, parents and co-teachers. These may be teachers in overseas settings, or in their home environments who see an increasingly multicultural student body.
- Individuals who are learning how to live and work successfully, and more peacefully, in an environment different to that which they are accustomed. Conversations may be focused around launching a new phase of their career overseas, or in managing their personal transition to a new place.
- Intercultural couples whose strength as a ‘team’, can only be leveraged from an acute awareness of their own beliefs and behaviours, an understanding of their partner’s, and a mutual agreement on how to move forward together.
- Parents who are raising children in a multicultural landscape, either with a partner or caregiver from a different culture, or in a country different to their own.
Retreat Facilitation
A retreat environment is one of the most powerful places to start sharing and embracing different opinions in order to create an inclusive strategy and team. Once incorporated into the operational framework and team charter, respect and inclusion can be operationalised and leveraged.
Intercultural Consultant 