Closing the Intercultural Series: A Lesson in Learning and Growth

Years ago, when I was leading the setup of my employer’s first offshore capability center, we reached a major milestone. To celebrate, I organized a dinner for our visiting headquarters colleagues. Wanting to be respectful of hierarchy, I invited only the senior members of our project team.

The next few days were… different. Some team members who hadn’t been invited withdrew, conversations grew shorter, eye contact avoided. At first, I didn’t understand. But then, it hit me. In that culture, success wasn’t just about individual recognition; it was about the collective. By leaving some people out, I hadn’t just excluded them from a meal, I had unknowingly dismissed their contributions in the eyes of the team.

I close this intercultural series with this story because I want my LinkedIn connections to know this: we all make mistakes when navigating different cultures. But what truly matters is that we learn from them, seek guidance, grow, and forgive ourself and others.

At StrengthMiner® Consulting LLP, we understand how tough it can be to live and work far from the culture you know. If you or your team are facing these challenges, reach out, we’re here to help you build bridges.