When
driving breakthrough initiatives in an organization, culture change has to be
built into the strategy. While culture is considered a soft skill, it is one to
the most difficult initiatives to orchestrate. As a rule, people tend to hold
on to old ways. To gain deeper insight into this issue, I used international
travel to simulate culture change.
driving breakthrough initiatives in an organization, culture change has to be
built into the strategy. While culture is considered a soft skill, it is one to
the most difficult initiatives to orchestrate. As a rule, people tend to hold
on to old ways. To gain deeper insight into this issue, I used international
travel to simulate culture change.
From
1996-1999, I lived in 8 Latin American countries – Belize, Costa Rica,
Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and El Salvador. During my
travels, I experienced change in every sense. My stay in each country ranged 2
days to 20 months. I lived in the jungle and the city. And I encountered
1996-1999, I lived in 8 Latin American countries – Belize, Costa Rica,
Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and El Salvador. During my
travels, I experienced change in every sense. My stay in each country ranged 2
days to 20 months. I lived in the jungle and the city. And I encountered
at
least 5 different languages – English, Spanish, Mopan, Quiche and an indigenous
language of Costa Rica.
When I
left the US, I spoke one language – English. When I returned, I was fluent in
Spanish and proficient in Portuguese. I also learned a few sentences in Mopan
Mayan.
left the US, I spoke one language – English. When I returned, I was fluent in
Spanish and proficient in Portuguese. I also learned a few sentences in Mopan
Mayan.
In
addition to learning languages, I learned to embrace change. My journey started
in Belize. I spent nearly 2 months with Mayan Indians in a village with 330
people, no electricity or running water. If you can imagine, I woke up everyday
to a beautiful jungle in a village built on top of unexcavated ruins. I stayed
with a family and worked with the father and son. In 1996, the Mayans were an
agrarian society with no machines for farming.
addition to learning languages, I learned to embrace change. My journey started
in Belize. I spent nearly 2 months with Mayan Indians in a village with 330
people, no electricity or running water. If you can imagine, I woke up everyday
to a beautiful jungle in a village built on top of unexcavated ruins. I stayed
with a family and worked with the father and son. In 1996, the Mayans were an
agrarian society with no machines for farming.
I
arrived in Belize after living in Washington, DC for 15 years. Before that, I
was a Jersey boy with tremendous exposure to New York City. Yet, in Belize, I
found myself in a world that had no similarities to my past experiences. When I
worked with them, I helped cut down 100 acres of jungle with a machete in order
to plant crops. After cutting down the jungle, we used a stick to make a hole
in the ground and dropped 7 seeds of corn. When you harvest that corn, the
jungle will have grown back. Therefore, it is necessary to chop your way
through the jungle to pick an ear of corn.
arrived in Belize after living in Washington, DC for 15 years. Before that, I
was a Jersey boy with tremendous exposure to New York City. Yet, in Belize, I
found myself in a world that had no similarities to my past experiences. When I
worked with them, I helped cut down 100 acres of jungle with a machete in order
to plant crops. After cutting down the jungle, we used a stick to make a hole
in the ground and dropped 7 seeds of corn. When you harvest that corn, the
jungle will have grown back. Therefore, it is necessary to chop your way
through the jungle to pick an ear of corn.
As you
can imagine, I had never encountered this experience in DC, NJ or NY. Many
people would think this experience made me see how lucky I was to be born in
the US. I had another perspective. I saw it as an opportunity to become more of
the person I have never been. In a sense, it required me to let go of almost
everything I knew. I had to learn more efficient ways to function in a new
environment. I learned to appreciate other people’s ways, instead of trying to
change them.
can imagine, I had never encountered this experience in DC, NJ or NY. Many
people would think this experience made me see how lucky I was to be born in
the US. I had another perspective. I saw it as an opportunity to become more of
the person I have never been. In a sense, it required me to let go of almost
everything I knew. I had to learn more efficient ways to function in a new
environment. I learned to appreciate other people’s ways, instead of trying to
change them.
As I
adapted to their ways, I found them beneficial. For example, there were
tremendous health benefits. You can’t imagine how youthful you become when you
live in a clean environment. In addition, I developed a new value for
community. It was amazing to see how the people depended on one another for
survival. Therefore, cooperation, instead of competition, was essential. More
importantly, the experience gave me a new perspective on hard work and
resourceful ways to accomplish tasks. As smart as I thought I was, I really
didn’t have all the answers. I relied on the expertise of the Mayan Indians.
adapted to their ways, I found them beneficial. For example, there were
tremendous health benefits. You can’t imagine how youthful you become when you
live in a clean environment. In addition, I developed a new value for
community. It was amazing to see how the people depended on one another for
survival. Therefore, cooperation, instead of competition, was essential. More
importantly, the experience gave me a new perspective on hard work and
resourceful ways to accomplish tasks. As smart as I thought I was, I really
didn’t have all the answers. I relied on the expertise of the Mayan Indians.
Furthermore,
as I continued my journey to other countries, everywhere I went, there I was
with all of my USA upbringing. However, it was apparent that what I learned in
each country helped me make a seamless transition to the next country or city.
At some point, regardless of the country I was in, the people thought I was a
native of that country.
as I continued my journey to other countries, everywhere I went, there I was
with all of my USA upbringing. However, it was apparent that what I learned in
each country helped me make a seamless transition to the next country or city.
At some point, regardless of the country I was in, the people thought I was a
native of that country.
Now,
imagine an organization designed to adjust to change regardless of the
competitive or economic environment. When change initiatives are led
effectively, the company may be positioned to be a market leader. To do that,
change has to be built in to the culture. It would be done in the same way my
travels fostered change as a pleasant part of the journey. The company that
desires a strong competitive edge will be able to provide employees with
experiential tools that empower them to constantly navigate through new
environments.
imagine an organization designed to adjust to change regardless of the
competitive or economic environment. When change initiatives are led
effectively, the company may be positioned to be a market leader. To do that,
change has to be built in to the culture. It would be done in the same way my
travels fostered change as a pleasant part of the journey. The company that
desires a strong competitive edge will be able to provide employees with
experiential tools that empower them to constantly navigate through new
environments.
What do you think? I’m open to ideas. Or if you want to
write me about a specific topic, let me know.
write me about a specific topic, let me know.