Inside Bold2Move: A personal reflection about Culture Awareness

From the desk of our Co-founder, Stephanie

(Left) One of my last pictures taken in the US before moving (Right)The first none food or empty apartment photo from Stuttgart.

If you had asked me what culture was 10 years ago, I am not sure what the answer would be other than totally different than what I know and feel today.

Appreciative of my global opportunities, starting when I was 19 with 6 weeks in Sweden and a handful of European and Asian trips for work, those were just the foundation of curiosity. A teaser into the world outside of my American bubble. Long before my professional life started to incorporate this topic, the need to understand happened first. I took a risk and move my life to Germany. A country that I didn't know the language, had no friends (yet), and only had a few work trip visits. But I dove in.

As we focused this month with sharing resources and content regarding the topic of Culture Awareness, I couldn't help but take time to reflect. To think about how this topic has been not only important for me personally but also professionally. That a training or check box of working in another office doesn't give you culture awareness. It is the start of a journey that takes time, energy, effort to build your culture competency continually. So I went back to see how I was changed, and luckily LinkedIn was able to capture those memories for me.

An excerpt from a 2020 LinkedIn Article, included a reflection on how my preferences made some shifts. Specifically, when looking at energy (how do you see the world or process information) coded as either Observing/Sensing or Intuition and nature (how do you prefer to make decisions/cope with emotions) coded as either Thinking or Feeling.

....... I had previously registered (and believed I was) a Thinker and not a Feeler and more Intuitive than Observant. But after 3 years of living abroad and a career shift, it does make sense, that these areas really shifted.

Spoiler alert I am still very much an introvert, judger and assertive but I have grown into a new version of myself. And I have living aboard to thank for this growth. As in many cases, I still do rely more on my Observant and Thinking personality. However, I do see how I have been tapping into new areas of myself when it comes to Intuition and Feeling and that is okay. When you take such a risk to move to another country and live literally (and figuratively) outside your comfort zone, it is no wonder I have taken on some new traits. Which brings me to the below, where I reflect on the 5 key areas and how I have grown and developed.

Summarized reflection from 2020 post connecting a relocation and a change in my Meyers Briggs results.

A phrase I often used after moving was 'the majority of Americans do not have passports' Although the number has risen in the last 8 years, this is still holds true with an estimate of 45-50% having passports issued. This to me was shocking. It meant that Americans were/are stuck. Inside what I have called a bubble. Without a chance to experience what it is like to be in a country where there are language barriers, where history exists longer than our Constitution, where not only food and transportation is different but approaches to work, schooling and community does as well. This leads into another important aspect to culture awareness and walking in another person's shoes - in this case literally. Together, you have even more authentic empathy.

During my LinkedIn review, I also game across a refence to culture awareness and empathy. Here is an excerpt from that article.

The Culture Map by Erin Meyer: This one, I reference a lot working at a global company, and now even more over the last 3 years working and living abroad. For me, this book should be mandatory for everyone :) but at a minimum those working at international companies - working closely or managing others from different countries. Erin Meyer does a great job, through experience, of highlighting how different countries (not even just regions of the world) handle topics like Communication, Persuading, Decision Making and Disagreements. It helped me have a better insight when reflecting on situations that did not have positive results as well as to be better prepared to handle situations in the future.

This journey of culture awareness might have been sparked at 19 years old, then re-energized in my 20's with work travel but in my 30's it ignited. Into a passion and a purpose to spread. And will continue as I have now entered my 40's. I have been fortune, that this journey also involved being able to travel to global locations and to live in two additional countries then the US. But it also opened my eyes and mind to embrace this topic. To want to increase my Culture Competency, never thinking where I am is enough. You can always learn, ask questions and connect with those around you.

With Bold2Move - I see an even larger opportunity to continue sharing my experiences and the importance of being on culture awareness journey. And look forward to do so on this platform and with the clients I interact it.

Wishing you all a journey leading to awareness and understanding of the world around us.

Stephanie