Intrecultural No-No: Small Talk with Closed Minds

My brand is about intercultural communications, and intercultural communications is about appreciating different perspectives—even suspending your own belief in something momentarily to try to see something from another’s perspective. Even If you go back to your own idea—which is actually likely (science supports this–it’s been your idea innately for years) you never know. And, just…

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A Primer for Brazilians on USAmerican Hospitality: The Summer Barbecue

I learned a few weeks ago that there were going to be 800 students from Brazil in Chicago this summer, studying at the Illinois Institute of Technology, University of Illinois Chicago and University of Chicago. I immediately sent a proposal to IIT to offer a workshop on Communicating and Socializing with USAmericans. They need to…

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Need for diversity and inclusion, implicit bias training with Police Departments

Cultural competence is defined as “the ability of individuals and systems to respond effectively and respectfully to all people in a manner that recognizes, affirms, values and preserves the dignity of each individual.” And while many may in theory aspire to this, changing national demographics, differences in communication styles and expression of values, as influenced…

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How to Be Really Important

After years of study and really important work in intercultural communication, I’ve been asked to contribute in an extremely significant way to the grand opening for I Grow Chicago’s Peace House*, a really important organization doing great work in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. What am I doing? Strategy?  No, even bigger.  Event planning?  No. Getting the…

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