In a recent discussion, global executives explored the theme "Inspire Inclusion" for International Women's Day 2024. Led by DEI Executive Nikki Lamba, insights on inclusive leadership and hybrid work environments were shared. Participants discussed gender equality struggles, allyship, and the role of storytelling in fostering change. As we reflect on diverse experiences, let's amplify voices and commit to building inclusive workplaces together.

This March, we honored women's contributions globally. In our recent discussion, we explored cultural intelligence and invisible identities with inspiring leaders. From Peilin's heritage journey to Sandhya's call for allyship, we embraced diversity in leadership. Looking forward, we're excited to tackle expatriation transition, networking across cultures, and supporting immigrant experiences.

As we embrace the exciting possibilities that this new year holds with open hearts and minds, I am thrilled to share with you a new transformative series that will help to not only illuminate inspiring stories but also foster connection and empowerment within our community.

As we approach the end of 2023 and look forward to the New Year, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you who have contributed in thoughtful ways to this community.

Now, more than ever, our world is in need of DEI change agents who have cultivated a global mindset and can help foster a culture of belonging in the workplace.

This month, I’m interested in having a conversation not just about working globally but how to lead and manage globally.

It all begins with an idea.

The idea of having multiple home bases can provide the best life we imagine for ourselves. We are able to understand the culture and lifestyle of a place by living and experiencing it as a resident, and at the same time, we get to know deeper layers of ourselves.

For those looking to make a location change in their career, it is really important to keep an open mind and get clear on your why. During a recent discussion I organized with global women business leaders, we had a chance to reflect on what came up for them when contemplating a move and global career change.

At a time when we are experiencing macro and economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever to be intentional about navigating one’s career and potential job search, making sure to stay connected within the community.

As we all know well, we as women face unique challenges in the workplace, especially when we take into account our race, ethnicity, origin, and cultural traditions. Often, we have had to fit a preset mold when joining the workforce and have been tasked with learning to navigate cultural norms and workplace practices on our own.

As international women in business, we face unique challenges in the workplace, including bias against race, ethnicity, and origin. Often, we might not always have a clear understanding of how to embrace equity, especially in a patriarchal system. For example, we may act differently when there are men in the room versus when we’re amongst other women.

As we embark on the start of a new calendar year, we are often overwhelmed by society with conversations circulating about resolutions, goals, new regimens and more. While this is all very good for internal reflection, it can also feel a bit arduous to navigate. How do you set new goals if you’re not entirely sure of what you’re wanting to contribute to the world? How do you create resolutions without having an understanding of your purpose?

In my executive coaching work, as well as my work in group coaching and team development, we touch upon this theme as it relates to building human connections and finding commonalities, in order to rise together. I speak with my clients about how we can build a sense of community by being an agent of change, by acknowledging those who paved the way before us and ultimately continue the work to pave the way forward for those after us. We can forge a path together, each of us bringing a unique perspective from our international experience, making an impact on a global scale.

his month, we delve even further to discuss the topic of Strategic Authenticity and what it means to be authentic to ourselves in our global working environments.

This month, we dive back into the world of cultural prisms to focus on the theme of the “Unwritten Rules of Global Business”, a topic I had a chance to explore back in June with global business leaders during a virtual seminar

This is the goal of my series on Cultural Prisms - to understand what external barriers, along with the barriers within ourselves, which we need to overcome in order to connect with others.

I invite you to join me in delving deeper into the discussion around cultural prisms as we explore the theme through the lens of business, leadership and work culture in China.

In keeping with the theme of Cultural Prisms, this month we take a deeper dive to explore how this theme applies to US leadership culture and work environments. As someone who has lived and worked in the US for more than 15 years, this is an area that is personally very intriguing.

This year's International Women's Day theme was Break the Bias (#breakthebias), a global commitment to call out bias, challenge perceptions, and forge a path for women's equality. This important campaign made me reflect on how culture influences gender roles and more specifically, how cultural prisms are inextricably linked to gender beliefs and practices. In celebrating Women's History Month and the incredible contributions women have made to our culture and society, we must also grow awareness around cultural prisms, to both welcome and dispute them.