Think Globally, Work Locally

In my role at Daimler, a global organization, I have the privilege to experience other cultures in my daily business life. Each of these cultures brings small nuances that define how business in that region operates. From how time is monitored in meetings to the importance of hierarchy or the observation of personal space each culture has accepted norms and the norms of Daimler.

The benefit of working with so much diversity is the volume of potential solutions that are generated. Identifying best fit solutions on a single project often requires the alignment of multiple countries (US, Germany, India, and Mexico). To be successful in a global work environment you need to be skilled at working through multiple time zones, creating a virtual team environment with an aligned purpose, knowledgeable about how each culture naturally approaches problem solving, and open to accept ideas of others.

With each international business trip, I am impressed with the number of people in other countries who speak English in addition to their native language. The commonality of the English language allows us to communicate effectively. It is not lost on me that this commonality is through their hard work and dedication. Proficiency in a second language is a valuable competency for everyone. In addition to allowing you to communicate with more people, it also opens your mind to other cultures.

It teaches you to look at things from a different perspective, encourages your brain to identify multiple solutions to a problem, improves your empathy, and boosts creative problem solving skills.