Coaching Across Cultures

Shaking hands as a greeting, smiling, eye contact. These are considered basic business etiquettes in certain cultures. These same behaviors aren’t considered appropriate in a professional Pakistani setting, particularly between men and women. Little did I know when I worked in that country years ago

‘Fun’ fact - over 40% of expat assignments are deemed to be failures, and one of the biggest contributors to those failures is cross-cultural challenges.

What I learned the hard way (!) while working with and living amongst people from outside my ‘first culture’ are these four truths:


1. Become aware of your own style of communication, including the non-verbals.
2. Study, have open conversations and/or estimate your counterparts’ style of communication.
3. Anticipate your counterparts’ behavior and their expectations of you.
4. Commit to adjusting and flexing between behavioral patterns accordingly.

Don’t be like me! Do your homework 😉

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