New Job Jitters? Just Relax

A couple of months ago I was interviewed by the features director of the UK’s Good Housekeeping magazine . She was writing an article on the pros and cons of moving abroad, and wanted my “expert opinion” on the topic … which naturally I was more than happy to provide (not least since the magazine has a monthly circulation of half a million readers!). The article has just come out, featuring in the October 2010 edition of the magazine. And – leaving aside my own contribution – it makes for fascinating reading.

Many people have embraced their personal cultural history and integrated components of their heritage into their daily lives. As the work environment becomes more culturally diverse, business owners need to be cognizant of cultural awareness in the workplace to avoid negative ramifications that include poor morale and legal action for discriminatory behavior. A person's cultural perspective involves more than just a celebration of historical ideas or facts. It influences a person's behavior, dress, beliefs, values and customs. A person from one culture may have completely different negotiation expectations than a person from another culture, or a man may not feel comfortable working with a woman. These are common examples of cultural differences.