Questions & Answers
Why grow and thrive when I can adapt and survive?
Quantum physics teaches us that we either grow and thrive, or whither and die. We must progress, or we enter into a state of entropy and literally fall to pieces!
The core of management, leadership and organizational development is personal development. By working on your own development, you set the stage to be more effective in your professional life while enjoying greater personal satisfaction.
Why a “gym” ?
Have you ever tried to get in shape by reading about it? You have to do the work, flex, stretch and sweat over a sustained period of time. While it is certainly useful to read books, download resources, surf the internet and glance through training materials, to thrive abroad you must successfully interact with others across cultural differences while dealing with different kinds of change, ambiguity and complexity on a daily basis. The doing part. Only change leads to progress and only progress leads to achieving potential.
It sounds like work.
It is! But it is easier, faster and more fun when you don’t have to do it alone. Unfortunately, neuroscientists confirm that change is hard. Our neuron highways lead us back down the same old routes. To change, we need to achieve our own insights (that actually show up in MRI scans as bursts of light) and then focus on these insights over a period of time. The Socratic-style questioning that is the base of coaching methodology, facilitates, guides and supports achieving personal insights. Having a personal coach is great, but not everyone feels comfortable with the idea, or can afford one. Group coaching also creates a dynamic community in which things happen.
Why a “gym” specifically for expats?
Living and working in different cultural or multicultural environments adds layers of complexity to your life and work – a curious twist that can unsettle your sense of who you are, affect your confidence in how you operate, and empower astonishing personal and professional progress. The choice is yours.
As you harness the opportunities in international living, tools from the field of cross-cultural training and resources from the discipline of cross-cultural communications may come in handy. Guidance and support can help to unlock the experience and you reap the benefits of living and working abroad for personal development – to become a deeper, higher, wider version of yourself. The Global You.
What if I am not interested in my personal and professional development?
Stop by anyway, it can’t hurt and you might even stumble onto something of interest. There is no pressure to participate. You can just listen if you like.
What will I have to do?
Just show up to any activity that sounds interesting. You will receive a weekly newsletter listing upcoming activities to choose among. Just like the gym around the corner, there will be months where you participate more than others. It doesn’t matter how often you participate, but consistency over time.
When should I sign up?
After you feel comfortable in your new home, community and work environment and begin to ask, “Now what?”
