Rhythms of life- anyone?
Marie Gervais, www.global-leadership.ca
rhythm of life
When my Dad was growing up in Germany in a small farming village, he used to love listening to the blacksmith hammering as he forged horseshoes. Each village blacksmith had his own rhythms and they could hear each other from a distance as they worked, melding the pounding of their hammers into a multi-village drum ensemble. Continue reading “Rhythms of life – anyone?” »
The power of one to effect collective change
Marie Gervais, PhD. Global Leadership Associates www.global-leadership.ca
The power of one
In honor of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, I want to focus my comments today on the power of one to effect change for many, the power of one to undo the crippling effects of injustice. Continue reading “The power of one to effect collective change” »
My instructions are so clear: Why don’t they just do it?
Marie Gervais, PhD. Global Leadership Associates Inc. www.global-leadership.ca
Managerial frustration, what to do?
In my work helping managers understand cultural adaptation to the workplace, I frequently hear frustrated comments about both newcomer and young workers looking like ‘deer in the headlights’ for simple instructions, even when English language proficiency seems adequate. Managers can also be baffled as to why workers so frequently do exactly the opposite of what they have been instructed to do. And why do so many workers seem incapable of performing simple tasks? Continue reading “My instructions are so clear: Why don’t they just do it?” »
Integrating foreign workers to the workplace
Marie Gervais, PhD. Director, Global Leadership Associates Inc. www.global-leadership.ca
Integrating newcomers into the workplace
Imagine you have just landed in a country where you will be working and living for the first time. Everything is new and strange. People don’t respond the way you expect them to and the environment, food and even the smells around you are completely unfamiliar. When you come to the workplace for the first time, if you already speak English, you don’t understand the accents of your co-workers. If English is new to you, add the confusion and culture shock of having to learn a language before doing your job. Continue reading “Integrating foreign workers to the workplace” »
Culturally “Awesome” Reflections #1: New York
Marie Gervais, PhD. Director www.global-leadership.ca
Business People Walking on Sidewalk, New York City
In reflecting on the past year’s work, some very wonderful intercultural experiences that have happened over the years came unbidden to my mind. I thought they might inspire others as much as they have me, so I decided to share them in a few posts. Here is the first one about cross-cultural exchanges in New York.
Not so long ago I was in New York for a conference at Columbia University and regularly took the subway to get back and forth. Almost every day I was touched by the kindness of New Yorkers who went out of their way to be helpful to others. One day in particular stands out in my mind. It started with me buying tickets for the subway in the early morning. One man bought his tickets and then turned to a homeless man who was sitting on the curb near the ticket dispenser and handed him a day pass for the train. “You might like to have some mobility today brother, here you go”, said the man as he casually handed over the ticket, smiled and kept on walking towards his destination. It struck me that New York had really changed since 9/11 and that perhaps disaster has some positive after effects. Continue reading “Culturally “Awesome” Reflections #1: New York” »
Kijiji cultural adventures
Marie Gervais, PhD. www.global-leadership.ca
Buying and selling on Kijiji can be a cross cultural adventure!
If you are interested in meeting people from a variety of cultures and don’t want to leave the comfort of your home, I have a solution for you: Kijiji. Sell anything on the online free web service and a variety of interesting people with very interesting stories about why they want to buy your stuff will contribute to your intercultural education. Let me tell you how I got started on this adventure myself. Continue reading “Kijiji Cultural Adventures” »