Have you ever enjoyed the Olympic Games? There’s no doubt that they are a great example of cultural exchanges. Many countries send their best athletes from different disciplines and categories to a host country which is different in every edition.
Here each athlete has the opportunity to be in contact with many different cultures and for a few weeks, an intercultural exchange takes place, without losing the notion and sense of the competition.
Have you ever enjoyed a multicultural event?
Humans are biopsychosocial beings; that is why we seek to be in contact and establish relationships and links with others on a daily basis.
The desire to influence others, to be a leader to different audiences and to expand our potential, is what makes the ability to come into contact with other cultures essential.
How does the global leader develop his ability to connect with new cultures?
The global leader, who knows how to connect with new cultures, is able to start new conversations with people who are different; mostly by asking questions and listening, instead of responding.
In order to be able to establish this contact with new cultures, it is necessary to find opportunities to exchange information about practices, traditions, products and even to innovate.
This is an opportunity for both the leader and those with whom he interacts to share their culture.
Technology has also contributed to this and it allows us to hold multiple conferences with others around the world in real time. Technology has kept us closer and no matter the distance, we can always be in contact.
Getting in touch with others from different cultures is an indispensable quality on a personal and professional level; even more so when it comes to new cultures or organizations. Keep in mind that our goal as leaders is to influence others, and that’s why in a globalized world, we must have direct contact with new cultures and know their needs and strengths.
People, who are influential, stand out for their ability to listen and be assertive at all times with their answers and actions. Others identify with their history and way of being. This is why it is so important to adapt and be in contact with new cultures, which is the first step to having a global mentality. The next key element will be having great performance and great actions in the new cultures.
Establishing this contact with new cultures can be a bit hard since we might not know what kind of conversation or topics we can engage in, either because of a difference in dialects or because we simply ignore how to start one. Following this practical activity might be very helpful:
Start by being open to meeting other people from around the world by genuinely and meaningfully connecting with them. A very good starting point is being curious and showing a desire to connect or starting conversations. That is when we can practice the art of inquiry, diplomacy and establishing relationships.
Having tact with other cultures is the best tool of a global leader. It allows him to define a global mindset and to go beyond his comfort zone.
If you want to minimize misunderstandings, maximize productivity and results by developing your global mindset. Let’s have a conversation.
You can start achieving better results today! Let’s talk about how LEADINFORCE can benefit you, your team and your company.
Question: Is there a natural tendency in you to have a global mentality?