Supporting the client from Point A to Point B /
Before intercultural issues problems lead to something we cannot influence, control, or escape, we can take the proactive route and learn what we need to make a crisis into a synergetic solution. It can be exciting to unravel the new knowledge specific to a unique relationship constellation.
Adversaries or teammates or abstainers? What side of the intercultural fence are we on? Whether it is in a work environment or it is a personal relationship that has gone in an undesirable and unpredictable direction, who can guide us towards the implementation of our next steps? Who can protect our positions?
If we work in an international human resources department, if we are running into cultural issues in a startup company, if we are responsible for putting together a new overseas organizational department /team/project, or if we are experiencing 100 or more other possible intercultural interactive scenarios…
…the cultural factor in communication or relationship building / maintenance could leave us confused, misunderstood, hopeless, frustrated, and dependent on factors and people who we do not trust. How do we metamorphosize this unacceptable psychological and social status into a mindset that clears the path to progressivity and intercultural success?
Sometimes we need an expert. Sometimes to fix or upgrade a plumbing system we need a plumber; if we need a heart transplant, we need a cardiological surgeon, and if we need to create highly productive intercultural / international teams, for example, we need to know about the storming, forming, norming, performing, adjourning phases of a team that is challenged by a myriad of cultural identities and priorities.
Who can bring this expertise and transfer of critical knowledge? Who can elicit new knowledge (NK) in unchartered communication territory?
The intercultural consultant and/or intercultural coach. Whether it is for management and profit purposes, or a family financial situation that involves more emotion than common sense, if the situation involves interculture, and the stakes are high, a consultant or coach can be the only investment with a potential payoff. Certainly, if it leads to profitable or valuable resolutions it justifies itself.
The intercultural consultant has an interesting role and job description. There are many paths and directions the Intercultural Consultant can take the client regarding an intercultural critical incident or need. The diagram below shows four of them that could be customized for the client. Please allow an expert discuss the best options with you regarding your intercultural issue.
Fig. 5 – The role and position of the intercultural business consultant in the MNE Intercultural Conflict Management Intervention Alternatives Process Model (consultant-oriented – baseline model). Source: Santoro, 2015, Figure 22. p.122 (Copyright © by Thomas Santoro 2015)
The Intercultural Coach has an alternative role and job description. The expertise of the intercultural coach is to bring new knowledge, new ways of reaching the personal goals of the coachee. The intelligent and competent coach analyzes the specific needs and goals of clients and then properly accompanies the coachee along that journey. In an intercultural context, the coach has the knowledge, experience and instruments to meet the clients expectations.