Mithun Mridha: Navigating Personal Values and Identities Within Multinational Organizations
Mithun Mridha opened the event with his talk titled "Navigating Personal Values and Identities Within Multinational Organizations." He emphasized the importance of personal values in the workplace, highlighting potential conflicts and the necessity of navigating them effectively. Mithun addressed the influence of national, individual, and corporate cultures on business etiquette and communication.
He identified conflict resolution and decision-making as critical challenges during transformation projects and cautioned against potential biases. Mithun further discussed his organization’s focus on core values and the importance of recognizing personal values. He recommended tools such as empathy maps and stakeholder maps to better manage intercultural dynamics. In closing, he stressed the importance of empathy, collaboration, and trust in successful transformations and urged the adoption of long-term habits that foster cultural adaptability.
Alicja Kuczyńska: Bridging Cultures – A Journey from Poland to the World
Alicja Kuczyńska, an expert in intercultural communication, delivered her talk "Bridging Cultures: A Journey from Poland to the World." She shared her experiences as a Polish expatriate in the UK, discussing the importance of understanding cultural nuances, including gestures and communication styles.
Alicja noted the significance of maintaining professional distance in Slavic and Central European cultures and advised patience when interacting with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. She emphasized the importance of understanding these differences, especially in a global context, and shared her personal experience of returning to Poland. She offers coaching and workshops to support intercultural workplace relationships and enhance team engagement.
Jhon Magkilat: The Clash of Cultures – A Story of an Asian Immigrant in Germany
Jhon is originally from the Philippines but has been living in Germany for 11 years now. Started as an international student from the Philippines recounted his experience of initial culture shock and how he adapted to his new environment in Germany. He stressed the importance of understanding the differences between Filipino and German cultures and how adapting to various cultural norms can help avoid misunderstandings and strengthen relationships.
He highlighted the need to remain open and curious, avoiding comparisons between cultures, as this often leads to frustration. Jhon also discussed the balance between adapting to a new culture while preserving one’s identity, sharing his journey of integrating into German society while maintaining his Filipino roots. He concluded by stressing the importance of self-reflection, setting personal boundaries, and finding a community to facilitate growth and adaptation in a foreign culture.
Upcoming Event: 11th Cultural Talk for Diversity & Inclusion
The next event, the 11th Cultural Talk for Diversity and Inclusion, is scheduled for October 12, 2024, and will focus on the topic of psychological safety, featuring speakers from both Asian and Western perspectives.
For more details and registration, visit: https://tinyurl.com/11th-culturaltalk
Cultural Talk for Diversity & Inclusion is a virtual event held every two months, featuring invited speakers from diverse countries and backgrounds.
For further questions or inquiries about this event, please contact the organizer, Jane Jihye Kim, at janekimjh@naver.com.
