2-Day Program

Developing Cross-Cultural Intelligence

Remove cultural barriers at work

About the program

With advancing globalization of business and shifting Canadian demographics, workforces, project teams and customers are increasingly diverse.

Ever-improving technology makes it easier for organizations to draw on the power and efficiency of global teams. Yet distance, time zones, work practices, and cultural norms can each introduce uncertainty and friction, reducing team effectiveness, morale and customer satisfaction.

This new 2-day program provides the practical understanding and set of skills needed to effectively overcome sensitive cultural nuances and establish strong relationships with partners, colleagues and customers from all backgrounds.

In this program you will learn to:

  • Develop greater cross-cultural awareness: Learn the unique nuances, beliefs and traditions associated with cultures — and consider their relevance to your organization.
  • Lead and communicate with diverse teams: Discover techniques to effectively communicate with, motivate and inspire members of diverse groups, including teams, stakeholders, customers and partners.
  • Foster respect, growth and success: Learn to navigate disagreements, resolve conflicts and solve problems where cultural considerations are in play. Establish the trust and respect needed for growth and success.

Who should attend

This program is designed for anyone working in an increasingly diverse setting looking to overcome cultural barriers and promote a healthier organizational culture. The program is particularly well-suited for leaders working with a diverse customer, employee or partner base.

You might also be interested in: Leadership, or Interrupting Bias

Personal benefits

  • Gain an appreciation for the perspectives, beliefs and mindsets about culture and its role in personal and organizational success
  • Learn strategies to earn and maintain trust with colleagues, partners and customers
  • Build the confidence needed to overcome cultural barriers at work

Organizational benefits

  • Prepare your organization to capture the opportunity of Canada’s increasingly diverse workforce
  • Increase collaboration, efficiency and productivity while fostering a culture of inclusion and respect
  • Develop cultural intelligence as a competitive advantage both in Canada and abroad

Day 1

  • Explore culture through the lens of the unique nuances, beliefs and traditions associated with each
  • Discuss the impact of increasing cultural diversity on business performance
  • Learn strategies to effectively communicate across cultures, including considerations for diverse teams, stakeholders and customer groups
  • Learn how to be an effective leader, able to motivate and inspire within a culturally diverse group

Day 2

  • Reflect on new learning and network with fellow participants
  • Learn to navigate difficult topics, including addressing performance issues and disagreements
  • Gain practical strategies to establish and maintain trust within diverse groups
  • Explore and practice strategies to resolve conflict across cultures

Session Leaders

Queen’s Executive Education programs rely on faculty from Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business, as well as domain experts from industry. Our teachers come with deep expertise and are constantly in touch with today’s business world and research to formulate the best-fit education for each program.

Christina Benzing

Christina is a Human Resources professional with over 15 years of experience in both in the private and public sectors. As Vice-President of Human Resources for a manufacturing company with clients around the globe, Christina provided strategic advice on how to optimize and grow business in foreign countries. In the public sector, she has helped organizations to capitalize on increasing diversity based on the changing demographics of Canada's workforce and how to adapt all HR processes to support and engage cross-cultural talent.

In addition to the cultural matters, she has worked with executives and leaders across various industries to help them expand their leadership strengths, elicit staff engagement and foster high-performance teams. As part of this work, she's been actively sought after to support troubled groups and individuals who are underperforming or causing problems as the results of interpersonal conflict.

Christina previously taught for the University of Saskatchewan Edwards School of Business, and she now teaches cross-cultural management for Queen's University Faculty of Law, as well as the Queen's Executive Education.

Christina has an undergraduate degree in commerce, and two graduate degrees in international business focused on leadership and organizational strategy. For her Master's thesis, Christina conducted primary research into what types of organizational efforts would make a difference in engaging employees from various cultures in higher degrees of organizational commitment. This research was focused on healthcare, where Christina has spent the majority of her career.

Shai Dubey

Shai Dubey teaches courses in negotiations, cross-cultural management, ethics, domestic and international business law and entrepreneurship.

He is the academic director for project courses in various MBA programs as well as the MIB program. 

Shai earned his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Toronto and his Law Degree from Queen's University. Shai is also a graduate of the aviation Flight Technology Program at Seneca College. 

After graduating from Seneca College in 1984, he began his working career as a commercial pilot. In 1985 he founded and ran both an executive aircraft charter company and a flight training school based in Toronto. After selling this company, Shai worked as an aviation consultant providing strategic and regulatory advice to Canadian and foreign clients. 

Enroll Now
Katie Parks

Speak to a member of our team.
Call 1.888.393.2338 or
Monday to Friday. 8:30 am - 4:00 pm EDT

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Upcoming Sessions

    Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    SmithToronto
    200 Front Street West, 30th Floor
  • Jan 21 to Jan 22

Fees

$3,300 CAD (plus applicable taxes)
All major credit cards accepted.
Covers all learning materials, breakfast, lunch and snacks on all days, and post-program support. Accommodations not included.

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Recommended Hotels

The Fairmont Royal York
The Intercontinental Toronto Centre

Located in Canada?

Offset part or all of program fees through the Canada Job Grant

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