In most Asian cultures, hierarchies are respected. Workers rarely confront or question their superiors. People are also group-oriented and socialized to maintain harmony in relationships rather than cause conflict.  As the leader of a global team, one has to comprehend cultural agility -- the ability to understand multiple local contexts and work within them to obtain positive business results.

Different Cultures, Same Workplace

We don't often "see" our own culture and tend to assume everyone else is just like us and speaks the same language, laughs at the same jokes, and understands the same idioms and slang terms. To build awareness, get off autopilot and think of communicating cross-culturally as driving in a foreign country. The car may feel the same, but the traffic laws and signs are different. If you don't pay close attention, you could get into an accident.

Step 1: Self-Awareness

For today's global organizations, cultural agility is the new competitive edge. Leaders who understand cultural differences and nuances are more adaptable and inclusive. They can more successfully navigate the complex dynamics of global, multicultural teams -- and clients.

Working With Different Cultures

We often think of culture in terms of the things we can hear and see, like language, clothing, music, food, and behaviours. But much of what makes up culture lies below the waterline, if we are to think of culture as an iceberg. Some of the most impactful elements are things we can't see, like perceptions of time, problem-solving style, approaches to decision-making, attitude toward risk, concepts of logic and trust, dynamics of business relationships, and other assumptions, beliefs, and values.

Step 2: Understand that Culture Is Complex

Culture also goes beyond nationality. There can be cultural differences among identity groups, geographic regions, even within departments of an organization. Cultural agility is a useful skill for anyone leading people different from themselves. As you learn about these differences, seek to understand them, not judge them. Adapting an open, curious, learning mindset can help with this step.

Step 3: Adapting To Different Cultures

After you've built self-awareness and understood the cultures of the people you work with, it's time to bridge differences by adopting new behaviours.Leaders who develop their cultural agility can effectively navigate multiple sets of cultural norms and build positive relationships. When leading across differences, remember to reflect on who you are, embrace a learning mindset, identify the gaps, and ask yourself, how can I adapt?

Key Takeaways

Cultural agility is the ability to bridge the gap across differences. Here's how to start.


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Why Cultural Agility Is a Competitive Advantage for Leaders

First coined by Robert Cialdini in 1984, social proof is also known as informational social influence. In his book Influence: Science and Practice, he discusses social proof as one of the influential psychological principles that persuade us to behave in certain ways.In ambiguous situations, decision-making is made difficult by uncertainty regarding the potential outcomes, which may result in decision anxiety. Social proof (safety in numbers, or reliance on the authority of others) therefore becomes a powerful influencer of decision making if we feel that others are better qualified to decide.

Social proof

Positive public reviews and ratings persuade us that a company or their product is trustworthy. Endorsements from specialists such as doctors or dentists also encourage consumers to choose a recommended product rather than one with no professional testimonial, even if the products are otherwise comparable.It’s interesting to note that we don’t tend to seek safety in any kind of numbers. When we see ourselves as similar to those around us, we are more likely to view their behavior as correct, and therefore adopt it as our own.

The power of positive endorsement

<ul><li>Herd mentality can prevent us from practicing critical thinking and exploring new, innovative ideas.</li><li>Even if an opinion is held by a large group of people, this does not necessarily make it correct. </li><li>Following the crowd can lead people to make poor decisions that they would not have made without the encouragement obtained from social proof. </li><li>In addition, social proof can cause you not only to act, but also to fail to act. </li></ul>

The dangers of relying on social proof

<ul><li>Be mindful of influencers. Successful influencers are incredibly persuasive. When you see a product or argument being advertised, be aware of the underlying mechanism of influence at play.</li><li>Interrogate your own beliefs. It can feel easier and quicker to adopt the beliefs of others, rather than interrogating your own opinion on a subject. </li><li>Know when a decision matters. Moral decisions, choices that will affect your income or career, or expensive purchasing dilemmas should be made with more than just reliance on social proof. </li></ul>

How to wisely use social proof

The informal fallacy of making choices that fit with those of our peers is known as social proof. While it can help us to make everyday decisions, it is vital to learn how to use it wisely rather than blindly following the crowd into what could turn out to be a bad choice.

Social proof: is there always safety in numbers?

Catastrophising is when something happens, and you immediately assume the worst-case scenario.
For example, you are running late for work. You know your boss will fire you. You messed up last week on that one email. If you lose your job, your wife is going to leave you. You can't afford an apartment on your own. You will need a roommate. What if you come home one day and he has stolen all your stuff. Then you will have nothing.

Catastrophising

We train ourselves to automatically assume something terrible will happen. We may think that we will be better mentally prepared. But expecting the worst is just a way of torturing ourselves. Constantly worrying about the next problem will stop us from living and enjoying life now. We need to stop fretting about things that are not in our control. Instead, do something meaningful. Hug the children, play with the dog. Kiss your significant other.

Focus on enjoying life now

Expecting the worst is now just a way of torturing ourselves. Here's how to process in a health way.

Why Expecting the Worst is Bad For Your Mental Health

Main character Syndrome refers to a situation where people consider themselves the star of the feature film that is their everyday lives.
The syndrome exists in the overactive minds of the internet's many self-identified leading characters who embrace memes that encourage this outlook. However, Main Character Syndrome is also an important coping technique. During the pandemic, main character memes have helped us accept life's up's and downs as plot developments in our story.

Main Character Syndrome

Self Improvement

Main Character Syndrome is not a new trend. People have thought of themselves as the protagonists of the fictionalised story of their lives since people talked about their lives around campfires. What sticks out now is how willing we are toward being self-referential. The funniest and most relatable main character memes are the ones that remind us of how our younger selves really thought we were living in a Disney movie.

Main character memes

Being watched or surveilled is usually bad, yet we love being noticed. The "main character" meme satisfy our desire to be seen. We want to be singled out for being unique. We all crave some confirmation that our lives may seem ordinary, but it's really part of a remarkable story. Because if people (or governments) are watching, it means we matter, and there is a reason to keep going.

We love being noticed

Whether you resist or embrace the designation of “main character,” what’s clear is that, during the pandemic, main character memes have helped us to accept life’s highs and lows as entertaining plot developments, to consider our misfortunes proof of the importance of our story, and to justify indulgence as being key to our archetypal hero’s journey.

Why Everyone You Know Suddenly Has Main Character Syndrome

Stress is best defined as an emotional and physical state where the body is getting ready for the "fight or flight" response.
During the fight or flight response the body releases adrenaline, experiences palpitations and increased sweating that lasts until the perceived threat is over, or until the body falls into exhaustion and can no longer sustain this state. The stress can cause a lack of sleep, inability to focus, and changes in our eating habits.

How your body responds to stress

Stress is a useful warning sign that we may be pushing it too far. It is important to learn to recognize and respond to it.
<ul>
<li> Becoming aware of what triggers a stress response can help us avoid or deal with them.</li>
<li>Look after your body physically to build resilience to stress. Eating sensibly, sleeping well and taking regular breaks can help our bodies function better. </li>
<li>Make healthy changes to your routine. If certain people cause us to feel uncomfortable, perhaps reduce the amount of time we see them.</li>
</ul>

Make your stress response work in your favor

<ul>
<li>Engage in activities that make you happy. Perhaps you have a hobby you can incorporate into your life.</li>
<li>Say no when necessary. If we spread ourselves too thinly, the quality of our relationships and work may suffer.</li>
<li>Practice mindful deep breathing. Breathe in for a count of 4 through the nose, hold for 2, and out through the mouth for a count of 6.</li>
<li>Engage in informal mindfulness. When you're out walking for example, listen to birdsong or feel the warmth of the sun.</li>
<li>Keep evergreens or use your other senses to support feelings of relaxation.</li>
</ul>

Tips for helping you build resilience

While it is helpful to be able to manage the stress response, it is a useful warning sign to our body that we may be pushing it too far.  It is not about removing it, nor admonishing it, but learning to recognise and respond to it.

5 Practical (and easy) ways to reduce stress

The imposter syndrome is the feeling that you are unworthy of your accomplishments at work and that you will be exposed as a fake. People who experience imposter syndrome perceive it as harmful to their success.
But the behaviours that the 'imposters' show to compensate for their self-doubt can make them better at their jobs and motivate them to outperform their non-imposter peers in interpersonal skills.

Using the Imposter syndrome as motivation

Over 70% of people are affected by imposter thoughts at some point in their careers. 
'Imposters' have perfectionistic tendencies. They often feel overwhelmed and disappointed if they are unable to fulfil their perfectionist goals. A cycle starts where imposters can't accept positive feedback on their work. A gap develops in how individuals perceive their own competence compared to how competent they really are.

The behaviours of 'imposters'

In a study, workers experiencing imposter thoughts were rated more interpersonally effective and better collaborators. There's no significant difference in competence between those who have imposter thoughts and those who are not.
Self-doubt leads 'imposters' to put extra effort into their interpersonal connections and may lead to outperforming their non-imposter colleagues.

The upside of 'imposters'

Imposter syndrome is widely assumed as debilitating, but imposter thoughts can be a source of fuel. It can motivate us to work harder to prove ourselves and work smarter to fill the gaps in our knowledge and skills.
The best way to harness this new potential is to move past the negative emotion and lean further into the imposter feelings. Focusing on the perceived competence gap between you and your peers and putting your energy towards closing it might give you the edge.

Embracing self-doubt

Imposter syndrome can shake your confidence, but being underqualified for your job may actually give you an advantage over your more confident peers.

Leaning into the feelings of inadequacy

This is a way of life in Japan, where people work towards what they love doing, and do that with passion. Iki means life, and gai means ‘to be worthwhile’; loosely translated, Ikigai means the work, activity or hobby that gets an individual up in the morning.
It's something you live for: If you have a great time when you are working, it could be ikigai. If you have a family you love and you can do something for, it's also ikigai.

Ikigai

As the ikigai method of living one’s life has gained massive international attention in recent times, the concept itself is struggling to find a connection with reality in its homeland, where the downside of working 14-hour days is showing.

Uniting Concepts With Reality

The term was initially mentioned in the 14th Century and was then seen in the novel Kokoro (The Heart Of Things) by Natsume Soseki in 1912. As Japan emerged from an era of isolation and started embracing the international, industrial world, the new way of life started to interest the population.
The devastation of World War II brought the era of growth, known as the ‘economic miracle’, where the people of the country were filled with new energy, and had the focus and drive to achieve the impossible.

Origins Of Ikigai

… is a Japanese term translated as ‘commitment to one’s group’ and bodes well the Japanese sense of harmony. 
The drive of work commitment of all men and women shaped the work-life balance in the last few decades.

Ittaikan

Long hours and sacrificed leisure time were (and still are) seen as positive virtues, while the “ganbaru” trait (“trying hard”) is valued above all. These attributes soon became an embodiment of the working ideal.

The "Ganbaru" Trait

Perfectionism, perseverance and quality craftsmanship are highly respected in Japan. The nature or size of the work is not of concern, and what matters is that the person put their heart and soul (and time) in the work they do.

Mastery

The true meaning of ikigai is not just doing your job with complete dedication and losing your work-life balance, but the freedom to choose what you really love and move towards the same. 
Ikigai without the freedom to choose would be just another story told to people to deceive and exploit them.

Ikigai And Freedom

In the last 20 years, there has been a shift in Japan towards more awareness and freedom to seek one’s desired role. Job hopping, once considered Taboo, is gaining acceptance.
The young generation holds the key to untangle and repair the connections between true ikigai and the work they do so that the work-life balance is enhanced.

Modern Japan

The term ikigai is a succinct way to describe what gets you up in the morning – be it work, family or a well-loved hobby – much like a prosaic version of the French raison d'être.

Japan’s formula for life satisfaction

While collaborating with others is essential in a creative process, exceptional creativity needs solitude. Interacting and brainstorming in a group is not as deep creatively as shutting down the world and being completely alone with your own craft. Creative people generally tend to be introverts.
The best creative minds like Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein remain flexible and spend a lot of quality time in solitude, while also valuing the ideas from other sources.

Exceptional Creativity

Prolonged solitude results in deeply profound, personal art, as we can lose ourselves in our work, being in flow without any distractions. It has to be voluntary, by choice and does not work in forced confinement.
Even a little bit of solitude, like being in the office an hour early, can result in some quality work before the rest of the colleagues start trickling in.

Aloneness: The Raw Material For Art

The enemy of great work is distraction. The more you are disconnected from the smartphone, the more ‘flow’ mode you can experience. 
To practice solitude, try to focus on just one thing, without letting the external distractions disturb you, making it a kind of meditation.

Disconnect And Enter The Flow Mode

Collaboration is key to creativity, but exceptional creativity often happens in solitude. Many great artistic masterpieces were done in isolation. Elizabeth Bishop, an American poet and short-story writer believed that everyone should experience at least one prolonged period of solitude in life.

The Science of Silence: How Solitude Enriches Creative Work

<ol><li>Self-Awareness: understanding of one’s emotions.</li><li>Self-Regulation: it frees us from being prisoners of our feelings.</li><li>Motivation: having an intrinsic desire to achieve things.</li><li>Empathy: the ability to understand emotions of other people.</li><li>Social Skill:  the ability to build rapport and manage relationships.</li></ol>

The 5 components of EI

Psychology

<ul>
<li>Emotional empathy: “You feel awful? Then I feel awful too!”</li>
<li>Cognitive empathy: “I understand that you are feeling awful. That must suck.”</li>
<li>Compassion: “You feel awful? I feel for you. How can I help?”</li>
</ul>
Compassion is what we focus on for emotional intelligence.

There are 3 types of empathy

It's the ability to accurately perceive your own and others’ emotions, to understand the signals that emotions send about relationships, and to manage your own and others’ emotions.

Emotional intelligence

Before we commence with the festivities, I wanted to thank everyone for helping my first book become a Wall Street Journal bestseller. To check it out, click here. *** Emotional Intelligence. Another "it" theory of the moment. The media's panacea of the week.

This Is How To Increase Emotional Intelligence

Emotions (like rage) are a jolt of energy with a short duration and are also called ‘action potentials’. This is because they provide information that energizes you towards a particular action.
Moods are states of mind shaped by our current problems, stress, thought and rumination. Moods that go on longer than a day or two can cause anxiety or depression.

Moods Vs Emotions

Our environment provides us with triggers like food, caffeine, job stress, a swear word from a driver, rain or music, that can cause us to form a certain mood, or feel a certain emotion inside us.
These triggers are often subtle and can be routinized by our mind. The worst part is that we don’t consider ourselves as a witness to a mood or emotion, but become the mood or emotion itself. This false sense of self leaves no space between the emotion and our own identity.

The Triggers Of Our Environment

<ul>
<li>Simply having better thoughts and thinking about something else is not going to help in changing our mood, even if it seems so in the short run.</li>
<li>Mindfulness meditation untangles our self from the mood or emotion and creates space in between. This helps us remove the identification we have with the emotion.</li>
<li>The space that mindfulness provides can be very valuable if we want to choose to respond to our emotions and not react like before.</li>
<li>If you can’t meditate, good sleep can reset your mind and provide clarity of thought, making you respond to the triggers in a better way.</li>
</ul>

Unhook From Your Mood

Mindfulness experts explore the difference between moods and emotions, where moods come from, and how to unhook from them.

Bite-sized knowledge
to upgrade
your career

Michael Frost
@mrfrost

Why Cultural Agility Is a Competitive Advantage for Leaders

Social proof: is there always safety in numbers?

Why Expecting the Worst is Bad For Your Mental Health

Why Everyone You Know Suddenly Has Main Character Syndrome

5 Practical (and easy) ways to reduce stress

Bite-sized knowledgeto upgradeyour career

Michael Frost@mrfrost

Why Cultural Agility Is a Competitive Advantage for Leaders

Social proof: is there always safety in numbers?

Why Expecting the Worst is Bad For Your Mental Health

Why Everyone You Know Suddenly Has Main Character Syndrome

5 Practical (and easy) ways to reduce stress

Bite-sized knowledge
to upgrade
your career

Michael Frost
@mrfrost