Hahn Cultural Consulting

?? International travel is one of the primary ways that people experience other cultures firsthand. (In fact, I address it in my book "Forging Bonds in a Global Workforce" and in this HBR article: https://lnkd.in/eWtjQXQ) From an international relations perspective, it is a form of "soft power" as fond memories of visiting the Grand Canyon contribute to positive sentiment about the US once people return home. And it is a vital part of local economies, because the global market is unlimited and because international visitors tend to spend more money. Unfortunately, the reverse is also true: Negative feelings can motivate people to spend their money elsewhere. This NPR article highlights some of the ways that the US's aggressive attitude and actions may cost it: ?? The U.S. Travel Association estimated that even a 10% reduction in Canadian tourism to the U.S. would spell a $2.1 billion drop in spending and a loss of 14,000 American jobs. ?? Tourism Economics warns that an expanding trade war could result in a $22 billion loss in tourism revenue from international visitors. ?? According to the?U.S. Travel Association, Canadians are the largest group of foreign visitors to the U.S. annually and accounted for $20.5 billion in spending last year alone. Will we see a dramatic decline in international visitors choosing the US? It is too soon to tell. But these figures illustrate the potential stakes. #globaltourism #crossingcultures #worldtravel

Cross-cultural friendships not only expand our perspective on the broader world but enhance our understanding of ourselves. As I celebrate the anniversary of "Forging Bonds in a Global Workforce" it is perfect timing to see this love letter to intercultural collaboration by English and Italian coauthors. What cross cultural relationships have shaped your life? #crossingcultures #forgingbonds

?? Happy 1st birthday to our book! Last February, I celebrated the publication of "Forging Bonds in a Global Workforce" (McGraw Hill) with my coauthor, Andy Molinsky. Here's a little recap and look to the future: ?? We launched with an event facilitated by our colleague Kinga Bia?ek. ??? We wrote two articles at Harvard Business Review about building professional relationships across cultures and making small talk. ?? We spoke at global virtual events, including at the Harvard Program on Negotiation; the Collaborative WIM Global Summit; and SIETAR. ??? I joined podcasts like American University's Big World Podcast, 10 Lessons Learned, Nomadic Diaries, and the People Experience Pulse. ?? I also tailored our expertise for health care audiences, with trainings at Kaiser Permanente, UC San Diego Health, and a keynote for the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA). ?? We heard from many people that our book was practical, relatable, and enjoyable. It helped them let go of mindsets that were holding them back and embrace strategies that truly promote human connections. ?? We were additionally supported along the way by those who read our book, wrote endorsements and reviews, and best of all, spread the word. ?? A lot has changed since February of last year, but people's need for connection and collaboration in their diverse workplaces remain. I am proud of the work we have done so far, and am committed to helping individuals, teams, organizations, and communities as they continue in their efforts. ?? If you are looking for a guest speaker or trainer, let me know! (And if you haven't picked up your copy of "Forging Bonds" yet, there is no time like the present!) #forgingbonds #crossingcultures #globalbusiness

Last fall, something completely unprecedented happened to me: The day before a speaking engagement, the organization reached out and instructed me that I needed to "avoid politics." I was taken aback. In the first place, the order was unnecessary. I was going to be talking about my book, which is only "political" if you think it is somehow controversial to acknowledge that other cultures exist. Second, this had never, ever happened to me before. In my 15 years of talking about different angles on culture for different types of groups, not a single person had ever pre-emptively fenced me in. Third, the weirdest part was that this organization was explicitly dedicated to promoting the interests of an underrepresented group within their profession. That doesn't mean all of its members hold the same views, of course, but their very existence acknowledges power inequalities. Fourth, I wondered what was behind this sudden caution. Was it a good faith desire to avoid conflict within the group? Or was it a fear of alienating important figures and corporate sponsors behind the scenes? This left a bad taste in my mouth, and I seriously considered cancelling. However, I ultimately joined as planned, because I wasn't going to change anything I said, and I hoped my words could still be useful to people. But I am still not sure I made the right choice. Was showing up and talking about culture a beacon of hope and clarity at a perilous time? Or was I letting myself be used as window dressing - a way for the organization to applaud itself for the style of culture without the risk of substance? Today, this question has fresh urgency for me, as we face not only a new administration that is explicitly hostile to all things cultural, but also a pervasive atmosphere of silence, normalization, and sane-washing. I share it here so that you - my colleagues, clients, and concerned fellow citizens - can consider it, too. Perhaps the biggest part of the battle is not in confidently holding the "right" answers, but in admitting that we don't know, and in grappling honestly with the implications of different approaches as we go forward. Because whether we like it or not, we are in a new era, and we need to work together to navigate it courageously and with integrity.

It's been a doozy of a few days. Here is my initial response to the flurry of executive actions from the new administration.

This Thursday, I will join Andy Molinsky and Kinga Bia?ek for a webinar with SIETAR Polska and SIETAR France. Please see the details below, and register at the link in the comments. ?? SIETAR Polska ???? and SIETAR France ???? collaborative webinar: Community of Practitioners (Z seri:?Mi?dzy Nami Praktykami) ? 16th January 2025, at 18:00 - 19:30 CET (9 am PT) ?? “It has been a dozen or so years since intercultural training stopped being based on comparing cultures. Our clients and colleagues now know that knowledge about other cultures alone is not enough to effectively cooperate with people from other cultures. Intercultural training must therefore take into account?the emotional component in the work of intercultural adaptation and cooperation. ?????? ????, ???? ?????????????????????????? ????????????????, ?????????? ???? ?????????????????????????????? ?????????????? ?????? ?????????????? ?????? ???????????????????? ???? ?????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????? ? ?? One of the tools of intercultural training that supports emotional coping with cultural change is?the analysis of the psychological challenges?that people working internationally go through. A?simple analysis of psychological challenges is included in the ???????????? ?????????????????? ????????????, developed 12 years ago by professor Andy Molinsky. For 5 years, the “Global Dexterity” course has been conducted based on this method. ?? We would like to invite #SIETARPolska and #SIETARFrance communities to explore this part of the Global Dexterity Method, which is devoted to the analysis of the psychological challenges of people working internationally. During the online 1,5 hours workshop we will introduce the Global Dexterity Method, with a?focus on Psychological Challenges (step 2). Participants will be asked to take part in an exercise?in which they can analyze their own cultural encounter, through the lenses of the Psychological Challenges framework from Global Dexterity Method. We will also share the practical applications of this part of the Method in training and coaching.” ???? Andy Molinsky: Creator of Global Dexterity, university professor, with expertise in teaching, training, and consulting. Expert in organisational psychology. ???? Kinga Bia?ek: Certification practitioner, cross-cultural psychologist, with expertise in teams and groups. ???? Melissa Hahn: Certification practitioner and intercultural consultant, with expertise in teaching, training and coaching. Organised by Grazia GHELLINI , Anna Kawalska (she/her), and Dr. Lidia Wi?niewska (??? ???????) #ConversationMatters Globally and Locally ?? ?? ?? ??? #ISAIAS #diversophyAmbassador #TeacherTraining #internationalisation #interculturality #paradigm #InterculturalCompetence SIETAR Deutschland e.V. SIETAR Espa?a SIETAR Arabia SIETAR BC - Society for Intercultural Training, Education and Research, British Columbia SIETAR Argentina SIETAR USA Sietar NL SIETAR UK

Today I had the pleasure of speaking on a guest panel at Brandeis University. It was great to meet such bright and globally curious students, to share my own insights, and to hear the perspectives of my fellow panelists. ?? There's no "one size fits all" way to cross cultures, but by developing global dexterity, we put ourselves in the best position possible to make the most of whatever opportunities and relationships come our way! ??

This week, I spoke with the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association Circle of Advisors executive program about "Forging Bonds in a Global Workforce." The ability to build relationships across cultures remains vital, not only for our careers and organizations, but our communities and the world. ???? #forgingbonds #globalwork #femaleleaders

???Join me at Collaborative WIM’s Global Summit on Thursday, November 7th, from 12:00 PM - 4:30 PM EST! ?? Co-hosted by CFA Societies across 3 continents, this complimentary half-day virtual summit is packed with insights and opportunities to connect with professionals from around the globe. ??In my session, “Forging Bonds in a Global Workforce”, I’ll be speaking alongside Andy Molinsky in a conversation moderated by Paul Olschwanger. We’ll dive deep into practical strategies for cultivating trust and building authentic relationships in today’s globalized world. ? ?? Key takeaways: ? Cultivating trust with empathy and cultural sensitivity ? Strengthening relationships for negotiation success and team performance ? Practical insights from our bestselling book, "Forging Bonds in a Global Workforce" ? Register now for this inspiring and free global event!??? ? https://lnkd.in/eCTjhM3k ? #CWIM #CFAWomen #inclusionmatters #crossingcultures

One of the biggest myths about intercultural competence is that it means morphing into what other people want you to be. This is impractical, unrealistic, and unsustainable, especially at scale. (Consider a global team with people from ten different cultures. You can’t simultaneously perform as if you’re from all of them). ?? It is potentially harmful for women, who already battle biases that measure our competence and worth by the extent to which we make other people feel good about themselves. And it is counterproductive. It can lead us to obsess over our own performance and pretend we are on the same page when we are not, rather than engaging with another human being and advancing towards our goals. But this doesn't mean we should stop trying to work effectively across cultures. Instead, we need to rethink what cultural competence entails. ?? "Forging Bonds in a Global Workforce" offers a new approach to crossing cultures. It encourages you to let go of unhelpful mindsets and offers straightforward frameworks for sparking connections, establishing rapport, and building trust - whether the other person comes from a different country, different generation, or different function inside the company. ?? Ready for a fresh perspective on intercultural competence? I offer workshops, one-on-one coaching, and keynote speaking. ?? Haven't read my book yet? Print, audio, and ebook copies are available at Amazon and other booksellers. #newculturalcompetence #globalbiz #crossingcultures