Remember these tips to motivate a culturally diverse team!Going #digital means being able to work with people across borders. But leading #culturallydiverse teams is not a walk in the park. It can have some challenges due to the differences in #language, #culture, and #religion, but by #communicating with #clarity, the team will be able to reach their goals. Tan Nguyen, an International Leadership Coach, emphasizes the importance of setting a united #goal. In his latest #TCP

The first episode of #TheDigitalDiplomat with Tony Abad talks about the importance of #agility and #ConflictResolution in the #digital age. #Conflict and #risks have always been present, but their importance today, especially in #CrossCulturalCommunication, has been raised significantly because of different factors, such as #culture, #distance, #technology, etc. Our special guest, Véronique Girma, the Managing Partner at Turningpoint Asia and a Senior Executive Coach, emphasi

Can you unlearn unconscious bias? #UnconsciousBias, as defined by UCSF Office of Diversity and Outreach, “are social stereotypes about certain groups of people that individuals form outside their own conscious awareness.” This can affect the life cycle of employment, especially when leaders make decisions based on unconscious bias. Ssunaina Vij, Founder of The Bridge, Interculturalist and EDI speaker of #TCPGrowth, emphasizes that unlearning conscious bias is not easy because

🤔 Do you trust the internet? Joanne Sweeney, the CEO of the Public Sector Marketing Institute, joins Tony Abad to share on the #TheDigitalDiplomat that leaders need to show up and be on the frontline to defend the truth on the internet. She encourages leaders to stop hiding behind their corporate logos and show up with the purpose of being the trust keeper. We have been advocating for the use of #socialmedia because it can help you build connections and brand identity. It’s

🤔 Do you know the term #coopetition? To survive in this economy, SMEs have to keep up with all strategies to keep their products or services relevant. The current trend in businesses nowadays is creating digital dialogues with their audiences and competitors, allowing them to cooperate while competing– hence, coopetition. This provides businesses or organizations with a way to build a relationship with their customers and understand their needs. Ray Yuen, gives plentiful ins

🤐 Do you find it difficult to ask questions?Children are so curious about everything and always ask questions like “What is that?” or “Why is it like that?”. In a study done by Harvard Business Review mentioned in a Forbes article (2021), adults estimate that their conversations with children are made up of 70-80% asking questions while among adults, it’s only 15-25%.What can we learn from the inquisitive nature of children and how is asking questions important in being a di

🤝 Here’s the secret to doing business in AsiaDoing business in a foreign country is not a new concept. What’s new with it is the new technologies made available to us that help us be connected to wherever we want in the world. Physical distance is no longer an issue for someone to pursue the Asian market. In the latest episode of #TheDigitalDiplomat with Tony Abad, Peter Metcalfe, the Advisor and Guest Speaker for TCP Growth and a CQ Certified Facilitator, shares the importa

👀 Culture can make or break your team. Find out how.Sunaina Vij, the EDI and Cultural Expert of TCP Growth, mentions that culture plays a big part in the success and/or failure of your team. When you think about culture, you might immediately think about diverse nationalities, but Sunaina describes it as a lens that establishes our worldview. It is a shared pattern of beliefs and behaviors that distinguishes a particular group. Culture is present in our homes, generations,

🤫 Here’s the secret to a successful cross-border negotiation Negotiations can make or break the future of your company. It allows you to connect to different people and share your product or service with a larger audience.But how do you do it when the people in the negotiation room come from diverse cultural backgrounds? Lone Andersen, the Managing Partner APAC for Step Forward Partners, shares on the latest episode of #TheDigitalDiplomat with Tony Abad her tips in negotiati

😠 Hangry - the feeling of being irritable or angry because of hunger... If you’ve ever tried working on an empty stomach, you would know how difficult it is to stay focused on your work. It affects your productivity and your overall mood. So, it’s important to grab a bite before starting your job.Having said that, do you know that giving free lunch to your teammates works wonders? Here are 3 reasons why free lunches/food work: 💡Encourages team productivity - A happy stomach

Enrolling in a leadership coach training program in 2018 made me realize the challenges I had unknowingly created for myself. Despite my decades-long professional experience in cross-cultural partnerships within the media and technology industries, a crucial realization has dawned on me. I realized the importance of a growth mindset to foster smoother and happier human connections, which come before skill sets. Growth mindset is a concept developed by psychologist Dr. Carol

I have always been a results-oriented person, fixated on achieving my goals and driving forward. Empathy, on the other hand, has never come naturally to me. When I took the Strengthsfinder assessment, I wasn't surprised to find that empathy didn't make it to my top 10 strengths. It's not that I don't care about others, but I often struggle to understand their perspectives and emotions. However, during a period of deep self-reflection, I realized how much my lack of empathy ha

I'll admit it—I'm an activator. Always on the go, moving at lightning speed, eager to make things happen. Tick tock, tick tock, my heart starts racing when I have to wait for the speaker to get to the meat of their point. Do you share a similar feeling? But in my relentless pursuit of results, I overlooked a crucial skill: deep listening. Active listening, empathetic listening, generative listening - these concepts were completely foreign to me until I stumbled upon the world

As an entrepreneur, coach, and media leader, people often ask me what drives me. For as long as I can remember, I've been fascinated by media production and storytelling. Growing up in Hong Kong, I would record songs and stories on cassette tapes, and later went on to work at radio stations, where I trained as a DJ and presenter. My passion for media and communication has been a constant thread throughout my life, and it continues to inspire me to this day. Over the years, I'

Lately, I've been receiving many requests for executive training on personal branding and social media best practices for employees. It's interesting to see how this trend is growing, especially since Ogilvy's latest 2024 research confirms that employee advocacy is becoming a prominent influencer marketing trend for brands. This discovery has made me even more curious and motivated to explore the significance of empowering employees with a clear understanding of social media,

In the ever-evolving landscape of executive and leadership coaching, two distinct approaches have emerged: the traditional human coach and the innovative AI coach. As technology continues to reshape various industries, the coaching realm is not immune to the potential disruption brought about by artificial intelligence (AI). This article delves into the definitions, strengths, and limitations of both human and AI coaches, ultimately exploring which approach may hold the upper

The past few years with the pandemic have brought about significant changes in work preferences worldwide. From serious lockdown measures to people seeking new environments to be closer to family or simply explore something different, the global landscape has seen a reshuffling of talents across borders. In this context, places like Hong Kong have introduced new policies to attract talents from around the world, including many from Mainland China. However, integrating into a

In the rapidly evolving landscape of the AI revolution, the ability to exert leadership influence has become a critical success factor. Just as the construction of the iconic city of Rome was a gradual process, building and sustaining leadership influence in the current era requires patience, strategic thinking, and a willingness to adapt. This article explores the various facets of leadership influence. It also provides insights into how leaders, particularly in small and me

As the world shines the spotlight on Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games, we witness the culmination of years of dedication, sacrifice, and relentless pursuit of excellence by athletes worldwide. China's national team has already scooped nearly 40 medals at the time of writing this article. The triumphant stories of HK athletes like Vivian Kong, Cheung Ka Long, and Siobhan Haughey are also uplifting. All the other participating athletes worldwide who devoted as much effort as th

Recently, we held a workshop in Shanghai about the new rules of executive presence. During this workshop, we shared research from Harvard Business Review that shows how leadership has changed over the last ten years. One important trait that stood out is authenticity. Participants asked me how to tell the difference between being authentic and putting on a fake act. This sparked a lot of discussions, and I want to explore this topic further here. What Does Authenticity Mean i