Discover practical insights from Bernd Scharbert’s extensive experience leading global teams and navigating intercultural environments. In this episode, Bernd shares how small actions and cultural awareness forge trust and belonging across borders, providing actionable principles for leaders and expatriates alike.

This episode is a treasure trove of actionable advice for leaders, expatriates, and anyone interested in mastering intercultural skills for both professional and personal growth.

Takeaways:

The significance of reflection before landing (or beginning a new intercultural phase) and how it relates to leadership and personal growth

Principles of inclusive language use and navigating language barriers in multicultural teams

The concept of cultural mapping versus stereotypes, and how understanding norms helps prevent misunderstandings

Difference between low and high context cultures and their impact on communication styles

Practical strategies for building trust through small gestures, authentic storytelling, and showing vulnerability

The importance of adapting leadership styles to cultural expectations, including hierarchy and feedback norms

How to create safe spaces in meetings to encourage contributions from shy or less vocal team members

Tools for developing a cultural “rule book” tailored to team or organizational norms

Personal stories illustrating the influence of cultural customs, such as greeting rituals and social drinking, on leadership authenticity

Guest

Bernd Scharbert

https://www.berndscharbert.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernd-scharbert-719a384/?originalSubdomain=de

https://shop.budrich.de/en/product-2/prepare-for-landing-leitlinien-fuer-interkulturelle-fuehrung/

Host

Annegret Bertsch

https://www.coaching-because.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/annegret-bertsch/

https://www.instagram.com/coaching_because/