Lessons from my trip around the world
by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 09-18-09
Lessons from my trip around the world
Every year I promise myself I won’t take 3 week business trips anymore, and every year I break my promise. My recent trip took me interesting places: Poland, Israel, Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia. Both Poland and Philippines were new to me.
Whenever I travel overseas, because things around me are unfamiliar, all of my senses are usually on high alert. I notice more than I usually would. Every time I do a trip such as this, I am amazed by two things. First, how similar many of our problems are (at least in business, perhaps not socially and politically) and how universal many of the solutions can be. Second, in contrast to the first lesson, how you also must understand the strengths and weaknesses of the culture you are a part of and build your transformation strategy to accommodate those unique elements.
Every culture has, when it comes to lean or business excellence, has some unique characteristics that help or hinder. Some cultures are more disciplined and others less. Some are better at being open and candid, and others more closed and reserved. Some cultures center on respecting the hierarchy and others on individual decision making.
My observation is that when people do consider their own culture, they focus more on the challenges that their culture presents instead of focusing on the strengths. Yes, you must be aware of both, but understand and leverage those strengths. For example, in one of my visits I was told “we’re very independent minded and undisciplined” but the other side of that coin is often innovation and willingness to experiment.
Every country or company culture has its strength. I propose that its more valuable to emphasize and leverage those strengths than to focus too much on the weaknesse
Every year I promise myself I won’t take 3 week business trips anymore, and every year I break my promise. My recent trip took me interesting places: Poland, Israel, Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia. Both Poland and Philippines were new to me.
Whenever I travel overseas, because things around me are unfamiliar, all of my senses are usually on high alert. I notice more than I usually would. Every time I do a trip such as this, I am amazed by two things. First, how similar many of our problems are (at least in business, perhaps not socially and politically) and how universal many of the solutions can be. Second, in contrast to the first lesson, how you also must understand the strengths and weaknesses of the culture you are a part of and build your transformation strategy to accommodate those unique elements.
Every culture has, when it comes to lean or business excellence, has some unique characteristics that help or hinder. Some cultures are more disciplined and others less. Some are better at being open and candid, and others more closed and reserved. Some cultures center on respecting the hierarchy and others on individual decision making.
My observation is that when people do consider their own culture, they focus more on the challenges that their culture presents instead of focusing on the strengths. Yes, you must be aware of both, but understand and leverage those strengths. For example, in one of my visits I was told “we’re very independent minded and undisciplined” but the other side of that coin is often innovation and willingness to experiment.
Every country or company culture has its strength. I propose that its more valuable to emphasize and leverage those strengths than to focus too much on the weaknesses.
Related
International travel. Wow. Reading Jamie’s post, I’m speechless, because I have never experienced anything like it. I totally agree that we should leverage the strengths of every culture we encounter. As a practical matter, this often means that the strength of a given culture often highlights a weakness in our own. That can be deeply humbling. For example, I consider myself a “people person,” with a relatively high EQ. Go figure. Anyway, a year ago I took my family on a 15-day trip to Italy, where I am fortunate to have a good client. Holy moly. Talk about EQ. The Italians are all geniuses–well, more than your run-of-the-mill Americano. Don’t get me wrong. I’m no brute and I love my country. But as the result of working with the Italians, I look at myself quite differently. I have a better understanding of my strengths (analysis, teaching), and a much better understanding of my weaknesses (empathy–beyond intellectual understanding, and political savvy). This is such a gift! Because, now I can change and grow.
International travel. Wow. Reading Jamie’s post, I’m speechless, because I have never experienced anything like it. I totally agree that we should leverage the strengths of every culture we encounter. As a practical matter, this often means that the strength of a given culture often highlights a weakness in our own. That can be deeply humbling. For example, I consider myself a “people person,” with a relatively high EQ. Go figure. Anyway, a year ago I took my family on a 15-day trip to Italy, where I am fortunate to have a good client. Holy moly. Talk about EQ. The Italians are all geniuses–well, more than your run-of-the-mill Americano. Don’t get me wrong. I’m no brute and I love my country. But as the result of working with the Italians, I look at myself quite differently. I have a better understanding of my strengths (analysis, teaching), and a much better understanding of my weaknesses (empathy–beyond intellectual understanding, and political savvy). This is such a gift! Because, now I can change and grow.
International travel. Wow. Reading Jamie’s post, I’m speechless, because I have never experienced anything like it. I totally agree that we should leverage the strengths of every culture we encounter. As a practical matter, this often means that the strength of a given culture often highlights a weakness in our own. That can be deeply humbling. For example, I consider myself a “people person,” with a relatively high EQ. Go figure. Anyway, a year ago I took my family on a 15-day trip to Italy, where I am fortunate to have a good client. Holy moly. Talk about EQ. The Italians are all geniuses–well, more than your run-of-the-mill Americano. Don’t get me wrong. I’m no brute and I love my country. But as the result of working with the Italians, I look at myself quite differently. I have a better understanding of my strengths (analysis, teaching), and a much better understanding of my weaknesses (empathy–beyond intellectual understanding, and political savvy). This is such a gift! Because, now I can change and grow.
Great story Tom. I had a similar experience just in this last trip. While in Malaysia, they took every opportunity to show how appreciative they were of my visit. It was so much stronger than I’ve ever shown appreciation, or experienced in the States, it actually made me uncomfortable. I was amazed at how generous they were in expressing appreciation. A great reminder for me in the value of that, and that it really is hard to overdo it.
Great story Tom. I had a similar experience just in this last trip. While in Malaysia, they took every opportunity to show how appreciative they were of my visit. It was so much stronger than I’ve ever shown appreciation, or experienced in the States, it actually made me uncomfortable. I was amazed at how generous they were in expressing appreciation. A great reminder for me in the value of that, and that it really is hard to overdo it.
Great story Tom. I had a similar experience just in this last trip. While in Malaysia, they took every opportunity to show how appreciative they were of my visit. It was so much stronger than I’ve ever shown appreciation, or experienced in the States, it actually made me uncomfortable. I was amazed at how generous they were in expressing appreciation. A great reminder for me in the value of that, and that it really is hard to overdo it.
I read an interesting short article recently that summarized “how to think like a futurist” in three areas:
#1) Global vs. local
#2) Long-term vs. short term
#3) Scenario planning
I think for the most part Americans do #3 well. Some do #2 well. But as with Jamie’s and Tom’s stories, it really takes going overseas into different environments and cultures to get #1.
We don’t all need to be futurists, but someday the future will be “now” and it’s best that we plan ahead, so maybe we do need to.
I read an interesting short article recently that summarized “how to think like a futurist” in three areas:
#1) Global vs. local
#2) Long-term vs. short term
#3) Scenario planning
I think for the most part Americans do #3 well. Some do #2 well. But as with Jamie’s and Tom’s stories, it really takes going overseas into different environments and cultures to get #1.
We don’t all need to be futurists, but someday the future will be “now” and it’s best that we plan ahead, so maybe we do need to.
I read an interesting short article recently that summarized “how to think like a futurist” in three areas:
#1) Global vs. local
#2) Long-term vs. short term
#3) Scenario planning
I think for the most part Americans do #3 well. Some do #2 well. But as with Jamie’s and Tom’s stories, it really takes going overseas into different environments and cultures to get #1.
We don’t all need to be futurists, but someday the future will be “now” and it’s best that we plan ahead, so maybe we do need to.