rebuilding our mental maps the key to global training
DESCRIPTION
Originally presented as Webex meeting for ASTD, April 2009, this session provide stories and advice for those who desire to be more global in their approach to traning and development.TRANSCRIPT
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Rebuilding Our Mental Maps:
The Key To Global Training
Marc Sokol, PhDPDI Ninth House
April 2009
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My Premise
For any domain of training and development that you offer, if you plan to be more global
You must be ready to adapt your own thinking and assumptions
to meet the challenge of a different world from the one in which you were raised
(easy to say, harder to do)
3Putting our story in context…
Personnel Decisions International
Founded in 1967
4Every global journey begins with a small step…
5PDI Ninth House today…
Wherever you are today, you can become more global
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A personal story...the 50% rule
~50% of what made a leader successful in their former role is essential to their new role.
The other ~50% may not help and
may get in the way.
Implication: You must pay attention to what makes a difference across settings
But no one can tell you which 50% is which!
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What differences matter?
Spelling Paper size and hole punch Laws of the land Comprehension of a non-native language Ability/willingness to learn through
acronyms, country-centric analogies and “common knowledge” of a different culture
Cultural differences
All impact receptiveness to training
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Research on cultural differences(and cultural similarities)
• Two large global samples (over 10,000 participants in each)
• 12 countries represented in one study; 16 countries in the second study
• Similarities & differences in personality• Managers and executives across the globe
value competencies and behaviors differently
PDI Research Report: Cultural differences in a shrinking world: leadership implications.
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Two dimensions of personality
Emotional balance – feel emotions strongly/ emotions change quickly vs. intellectualize problems/emotions more muted
Agreeableness – concern for harmony of the group vs. tendency to place needs of the individual above those of the group
Netherlands India Mexico Japan
More concern; promote harmony for sake of group
Less concern; blunt and straightforward
Emotions more muted
Feel emotions swiftly; peaks &valleys
Germany HK China Japan
PDI Research Report: Cultural differences in a shrinking world: leadership implications.
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Not surprising: similarities of Netherlands and Germany
Surprising: similarities of Japan and Saudi Arabia
PDI Research Report: Cultural differences in a shrinking world: leadership implications.
11Competencies and behaviors: What we prefer
Three dimensions of work performance
1. Fundamental leadership: Balance of thinking skills, people skills and adaptable leadership (focus on relationships, coaching, adaptability)
2. Business Know-How leadership: Technical skills and expertise
3. Results leadership: Planning and driving results (and focus on relationships and adaptability negatively related to this style!)
Questions
How do managers in different countries vary in the style they prefer?
What can happen when there is a mismatch and you don’t know it?
PDI Research Report: Cultural differences in a shrinking world: leadership implications.
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Leadership styles we prefer
Fundamental
USA
Germany
Singapore
MoreLess
Business Know-HowResults
X
Fundamental Business Know-How
ResultsX X X
Fundamental Business Know-How
ResultsX X X
PDI Research Report: Cultural differences in a shrinking world: leadership implications.
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Insights from the research studies
Learn about the culture where you plan to deliver training
What is “normal” behavior to one culture may be interpreted differently within another culture.
Different styles can lead you and others to err in judgment about motives and engagement
There is variation in every group Be mindful about your assumptions of
groups and individuals
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What you can do, even on a budget
Seek exposure to different perspectives Embrace curiosity Test your assumptions Remind yourself that different isn’t better
or worse, it’s different Ask, “What works easily and what seems
more difficult to apply?” Remember the 50% rule
And while you are at it, don’t forget…
15The world always looks right from our own perspective
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A few great resources
The Economist The Financial Times (one of many fine
non-US newspapers) The world is flat by Thomas Friedman Powerful times by Eumonn Kelly Riding the waves of culture (or
anything by Fons Trompenaars), Developing global executives by
Morgan McCall & John Hollenbeck
17The great opportunity of our profession is to build a sturdy bridge
connecting what is inside each of us with what is inside others
Let your own journey be filled with self-discovery
and learning across the world
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Questions and Comments
Sponsored by
Marc Sokol, PDI Ninth House
www.personneldecisions.com
19Postscript… or is it a ‘prequel’ to global training?
We are not the first ones to reach out across the globe
This is what happens when you don’t update your map