Early in my new job at a major international retailer, i realised that i wasn’t being invited to meetings that i needed to be at. Part of the problem was that my rough edges and lack of cultural understanding (I was in a very difficult and culturally alien new country), were making my job even more difficult and challenging than it already was.

From my western world view – i might have even been smart and right. But my approach was alienating people. It took a personal sit-down from someone junior in my department (but senior in years, experience and cultural understanding) that made me realise that i could present my ideas in ways that built bridges and allowed people to keep their dignity.

After i learned to form better relationships … opportunities opened for valuable informal dialogues. [Read more...]