My Blog

Cultural Awareness

1/13/2021

Cultural awareness is a crucial skill to have and develop, especially as today's world is more global than ever before.

Being aware of our own culture plays a critical role in allowing us to understand ourselves better. Why we think the way we do. Why we react the way we do. Why we make the decisions we make. And so on.

Being aware of other cultures plays a critical role in allowing us to understand other people better. Why they think the way they do. Why they react the way they do. Why they make the decisions they make. And so on.

So by having an understanding of culture, how it affects our perceptions of the world, and how it affects the perceptions of those from other cultures, we can create and implement diverse and powerful solutions to problems.

The Power of Giving

1/6/2021

Wow, I just read The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann.

Both men are highly accomplished in their fields and they present a powerful message.

It is important to give, be curious about, genuinely interested and focused on others.

It isn't that we shouldn't receive. We should as it's a natural process that is connected to giving.

But we should remember to put our own self interests aside. And if we can do that, we will be amazed at the results. And not just in business, in all areas of life.

I had always known the laws in this book to be true, yet had never seen them written out. I have seen people in my life who seem to give everything away, yet somehow have more than they could ever want or need. When we give, we end up receiving. And when we receive, we receive more than what we gave.

Are you a giver?

Connection & Why We Need It

12/30/2020

As humans, it is in our nature to want to connect. We want to connect with ourselves, with other people, with other species, and with the world around us.

But why?

Because by doing so, we feel a sense of purpose. Of clarity. Of importance. Of community. And of belonging.

A sense of purpose in that we feel our lives have meaning.

A sense of clarity in that we know what direction we are going in.

A sense of importance in that we feel we are doing something of value.

A sense of community in that we share a special bond with others who believe and/or do the same thing/s that we do.

And of belonging in that we feel as though we are a part of something greater than ourselves.

Cultural Fluidity

12/22/2020

CULTURAL FLUIDITY. CULTURAL AGILITY. CULTURAL TRANSITION ABILITY.

In today's environment, whether you're part of a multinational organization, are on a global team, are a digital nomad or are in another situation, possessing the ability to culturally adapt both quickly and effectively is paramount to success.

Throughout my travels and interactions, I have been fortunate to develop a skill set where I can be dropped off anywhere in the world and I'm able to figure out how to connect and create rapport quickly. I have discovered, honed, and harnessed the ability to adapt on the fly - marrying the culture of the location I am in with my personality to create a unique blueprint for successful relationship building and getting whatever needs to be done, done.

Does this sound like a skill you'd like to learn? If so, feel free to send me an email at robert.w.maisel@gmail.com to learn more!

Is LESS Actually MORE?

12/16/2020

I grew up in, and have spent a significant portion of time in a society that appears to value material things -- flashy cars, grandiose homes, large televisions and the list goes on.

While my personal aspirations do not currently, and never have included owning these types of things, I can certainly appreciate if and when others have another opinion. I believe the danger is when we focus on and obsess over these material items as this can lead to a decrease in human connection.

Throughout my travels, I have been afforded the incredible opportunity to see through many other eyes. I have seen poverty. Lots of poverty. IMMENSE amounts of poverty.

One might expect people who don't have so much to be unhappy. Yet, so many of these people I have met -- of all ages, races, genders, etc., and from so many places around the world -- have shocked me with quite the opposite. These people, to my consistent surprise, have been some of the happiest, friendliest, appreciative people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know.

Could it be then, that less could actually be more?

Are We Really All That Different?

12/10/2020

Having traveled around the world, I have been fortunate to have been exposed to immense amounts of diversity, in many different situations.

I have learned that while we may have different ways of getting our needs met, we all share the same basic needs. We all want to be loved, to feel important, to have a safe place to lay our head at night, and so on.

By understanding this, we can help bring the world closer together rather than further apart. With knowledge comes unity. And with unity comes peace.

It's Not WHAT You Say, It's HOW You Say It

12/2/2020

I have come across this concept from numerous sources, and through personal experience as well.

There's a timeless quote by Maya Angelou which encapsulates this perfectly: "At the end of the day people won't remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel."

As much as we'd like to believe that humans are logical creatures, and while some are better at using this part of our brain than others, most human beings are impacted greatly by, and tend to use the emotional side of their brain more.

With that in mind, today's fast-paced corporate world poses a major challenge. Transactions are completed at lightspeed. The work is getting done. But are people taking the time to communicate empathetically and in a way that will be beneficial in the long run? Or is there no time for small talk -- end of story?

Most people leave jobs because of people. Perhaps you've had a boss who is very matter-of-fact. Direct. To the point. No time for any unrelated details. This approach can be effective, but how does this communication style make his or her employees feel? Is there a way for a manager to be direct and still take care of his or her employees' feelings?

One of the most important things in life is being aware of how we make others feel. And if we're not making them feel the way we are intending to, it is crucial that we find ways to tweak our approach to achieve the desired results.

How do you make others feel?

Diversity AND Inclusion

11/24/2020

Many organizations have done an excellent job hiring and retaining diverse talent. But that alone, is diversity. Not inclusion.

Diversity is an excellent starting point for organizations and teams, but inclusion is the catalyst that is needed to bring organizations to the next level.

At present, I have mainly observed diversity. Without inclusion. Diverse talent is employed, yet so many of these powerful voices are never heard. We are on the brink of a momentous shift as the world becomes more aware of this problem, and searches for solutions.

So how can organizations become more inclusive?

In order to be truly inclusive, an organization must listen to and factor in the thoughts, opinions, and solutions of all of the diverse people, on all levels, whom it employs. This can be as simple as asking for feedback in a meeting, to having a dedicated process set up where all employees provide their input. The feedback must then be considered, analyzed, and applied to the decision-making process.

Is your organization both diverse and inclusive?

Cultural Diversity

11/19/2020

Cultural Diversity.

Diversity and Inclusion are big buzz words in the industry right now. And they should be as they are very important in today's times.

It appears that companies are hiring for diversity in race and gender, amongst several other categories.

Yet cultural diversity is one of the most vital components of the success of global teams and organizations. Culturally diverse teams are creative, innovative, and highly productive!

So let's ensure we hire and retain culturally diverse talent!

What are your thoughts?

Reading & The Quest For Knowledge

11/11/2020

I didn't used to read much. Actually, I hardly used to read at all. In fact, within the past 15 years, I would estimate that I read less than 5 books. Can you believe that?

Sure I read articles and watched videos, but I hadn't been intentionally seeking to learn and grow through reading books.

Since the pandemic began, I started reading more. Much more. In the past 6 months, I have finished more than 10 books, which is more than twice the amount of books I read over the course of the past 15 years!

I realized that there is massive power involved in selecting powerful (and credible) sources to learn from. I have chosen to become a lifelong learner, to keep improving, little by little, day by day. And by gaining new knowledge through books, I have found myself doing just that - gaining new information, synthesizing new ideas, and analyzing topics from new angles.

Have you discovered the power of reading?