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Building Cultural Intelligence with Trisha Carter

Tuesday
Oct092012

International Assignments - observations and trends 

In a recent discussion with global mobility colleagues we discussed some of the differences we had observed in international assignments over the past 12- 18 months. As well as those things that continue to stay the same. I was interested to see if our observations were a Sydney/Australia-specific phenomenon or indicative of wider trends so reviewed some of the surveys from this year.

We've noticed a changing demographic

The surveys did not have a conclusive response to this observation. While we have observed an increase in the numbers of younger assignees this was not consistently reflected in the surveys. The Brookfield 2012 Global Relocation Trends Survey reported on a "marked jump from last year of employees aged 20-29 (13%)… While the age most represented continues to consist of those in the 40-49 year old group (34%)… this year's important increase in the youngest age group provides an additional sign of improving economic conditions and optimism."

In contrast the 2012 Trends in Global Relocation Survey from global relocation services company Cartus Corporation, reported "The profile of today's assignee is shifting from the younger, single employees who were more prevalent just two years ago. Companies surveyed this year said that 48% of their transferees would probably be in the 40+ bracket – a 37% increase compared with 2010."

My colleagues and I had also observed an increase in the number of women assignees, a trend that was supported by both the surveys referred to above.

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Friday
Oct052012

What's new for CIC members?

This is our monthly update for CIC members alerting you to new resources on the cicollective.com website.

New in e-books is the Living in Limbo resource, for those times when it seems like you’re stuck waiting, perhaps waiting for visas, or head office approval.  That time of uncertainty can be hard to manage.  This short e-book gives you some strategies and things to think about.  We’ve saved it in ‘Leave Well’ but it may also be relevant at other points of your assignment, such as when you are waiting for the next move!

The e-book Finding Your CQ Knowledge

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Tuesday
Sep252012

Good Job: Culturally Intelligent Compliments

This week's blog is written by David Livermore, author of Leading with Cultural Intelligence and other books on CQ.  I met David last year when I gained accreditation in the use of the CQ Assessment Scale. His blogs are always good value but I especially liked this one as it highlights one of those areas of communication that can be tricky across cultures.  In his words below...

The giving and receiving of “compliments” is another example where leadership mantras fall short when mindlessly applied to all cultures

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Thursday
Sep202012

Multiculturalism is not dead

It was a sobering weekend in Sydney and in many other countries around the world as Muslim extremists took their offence to the movie “Innocence of Muslims’ to the streets.  Violence between protesters, police and bystanders escalated when property was damaged and both police and protesters were injured.

Many Sydney residents were worried about a tipping point - a point at which Anglo Australian society would turn, not just against the extreme trouble-making element, but also, against anyone of Islamic culture.

And so it began.  Radio shock-jocks, social media commentators and elements of the news media blamed multiculturalism

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Wednesday
Sep122012

R your expats OK?

As I write this Australia is recognising World Suicide Prevention Day with events and campaigns calling our attention to one of the world's largest causes of premature and unnecessary death.

Later this week many Australian organisations will hold RUOK? Day. This day aims to inspire everyone to regularly ask each other "Are you OK?" In asking with care and concern it is hoped that the feeling of isolation that is often a factor in suicides will be prevented and people will connect and support each other.

Isolation is often felt intensely by expats. Their experiences of transitioning between workplaces, cultures, and social groups requires them to quickly establish connections or risk feeling isolated. It's a skill that some have mastered in expatriation but find difficult on repatriation or sometimes when they move on to another posting in a different culture and community.

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