livingtheamericandreamineurope

The Many Meanings of “Respect”

Lately, I’ve found myself reflecting (yet again) on the idea of respect. As a white female from the global North living outside of her home country, I ponder this word a lot. At first glance, it feels like such a strong and straightforward word. It is something most of us aspire to give and hope toContinue reading “The Many Meanings of “Respect””

Trust, Control, and Creativity: Can the SEMCO Style Work in Today’s Workplace?

What actually makes people happier and more creative at work? This question sat at the center of a Young SIETAR webinar I participated in exploring the SEMCO Style, a management philosophy popularized by Brazilian business leader Ricardo Semler. Rather than simply presenting the model, participants examined it through several influential intercultural frameworks developed by Fons Trompenaars, Geert Hofstede, and Richard D.Continue reading “Trust, Control, and Creativity: Can the SEMCO Style Work in Today’s Workplace?”

Communication Across Cultures

How we communicate across cultures says a lot, about ourselves and the company we keep (and come from).

Did you know that how you deal with conflict does the same?!

Read on to learn more.

What Year End “Wrapped” Says About How We Make Meaning Today

From an intercultural perspective, the spread of year-end “wrapped” formats from Spotify into places like Lidl and LinkedIn is not just a clever marketing trend. It points to several deeper cultural shifts happening at the same time. Here are a few indicators of this shift. First, wrapped has become a kind of secular ritual. InContinue reading “What Year End “Wrapped” Says About How We Make Meaning Today”

University in the US versus Deutschland

What is university like in Germany versus the USA?

Here is a quick comparison.
Let me know what I got right, wrong or left out.

If you could go back in time, would you?

What would you do? If you could go back in time, would you? What would you do? How would you use that time?

Juneteenth

Juneteenth was first celebrated in 1866 on the anniversary of the date that slavery in Texas ended a year earlier in 1865. It was formally made a paid state holiday in 1980, specifically in Texas. Although it has been observed and celebrated across the US (and some other countries apparently too) since 1866, it wasn’tContinue reading “Juneteenth”

What is culture? (part II)

Here are a few of the ‘standard’ models used to discuss what culture is with a brief explanation of each model. Most IC trainers have a favorite model or two that they prefer or will use often, but this is generally a way to only begin the discussion.

Today

My heart is heavy today.   

  These Ukrainians are my friends, neighbors, fellows in this life who were just going to work, having meals with their families and friends, hugging their children. Who’s to say they are not us. They are.

 They deserve better than this.

Is this the oldest company in Germany?

What is the oldest company in your country?

In Germany, it is arguably Staffelterhof winery in a little village on the Mosel river.