Many of us have lots of experience working with colleagues or partners who have different priorities or ways of working than ourselves. We recognise the inherent friction and blind spots that emerge within collaborative teams. The focus of this workshop is on creating language and awareness around these differences and sharing how we can build on cultural differences to enrich our collective work.
We will focus on collaboration in groups when we have different cultural backgrounds and work preferences. Cultural preferences are linked to our passport country, and upbringing but also our large group affiliations like gender and generation and our experiences from different subgroups which represent our interests e.g. our profession, education, or life philosophies. As we are ambitious about evolving our ways of collaborating, it becomes
imperative to harness the different work styles present within ourselves and our colleagues.
During this workshop, we will explore ways in which a team can create a shared culture together while honouring individual backgrounds and experiences. We will discuss what challenges the mix of work preferences brings to teamwork and what each of us can do to support or lead collaborative synergies in that mix. There will be time for sharing experiences and reflections, and each session will include harvesting ideas as a group.
What you will learn
Understanding cultural preferences linked to upbringing and subgroup affiliations
Building awareness and language around cultural differences
Exploring ways to create a shared team culture while honoring individual backgrounds and experiences
Discussing challenges arising from mix of work preferences in teamwork
Harvesting ideas as a group to enhance collaboration
What will be explored?
The aim of our discussions is to get a better understanding of our cultural preferences and explore ways to harmonise diverse perspectives in our collaborative efforts. Our workshop will dive into these areas:
Nov 4, Session 1: Sync as a Team* (‘Free Taster’ session - If you are unsure if this course is for you, join us for just this session. RSVP here)
Collaboratively create agreements integrating diverse team dynamics. Discuss questions: How can we foster a shared third culture? What stereotypes exist about others' styles or cultures? How do we perceive colleagues with opposing preferences?
Nov 11, Session 2: Culture Mapping
We'll examine how cultural dimensions influence our approach to solo and collaborative tasks. Participants will engage in Culture Mapping, reflecting on their position on key cultural dimensions. How do you maintain authenticity while embracing diverse perspectives?
Nov 14, Session 3: Authentic Collaboration
Share experiences working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Discuss challenges in aligning preferences and balancing personal authenticity with embracing others' perspectives. Harvest inclusive techniques inviting colleagues' autonomy and agency.
Nov 18, Session 4: Peer Coaching
Extend workshop discussions to address individual challenges. Participants will coach each other in trios, identifying techniques for navigating cultural differences. Conclude with a compiled list of strategies for an inspiring, inclusive, and dynamic team environment.
What you’ll get
🙌 Hands-on Learning: in a participatory context with interactive exercises — this is far from your average lecture series
🤓 Real-World Wisdom: we bring inside tips and advice from our own experience
🛠️ Practical Tools and Guides: You’ll be able to bring these methods and practices directly into your teamwork
🤝 Peer Support: Bounce ideas, share concerns, and co-create solutions
Testimonials
"Line Mørkbak is one of my favorite facilitators. Again, she impressed me with the 'Cultural Synergy' online workshop, which was engaging, applicable to my challenges, connective, and fun. The concepts covered were immediately useful in thinking about our challenges and differences in teams and how we can navigate those. I realized how my people-orientation was influencing strategies I focused on and through the peer consulting activity, I left with actionable steps to bring in other approaches as well. If you are finding yourself feeling like there's more potential that could be unleashed within your team, I highly recommend joining the upcoming workshop.", Sara Clark
Who is this for?
This course is for anyone working in a collaborative team who’s ready to learn how to get a better understanding of our cultural differences and work styles. Explore ways to harmonise diverse perspectives in our collaborative efforts. And if you’re a coach or a mentor, this course will show you how to bring out the best in your teams.
Spaces are limited, so book now to guarantee your place.
If you are still unsure and you want to join the first call for a free taster, you can RSVP here.
Schedule
We will meet for 4x 90min calls on Zoom, at 5:30-7pm CET on:
Monday Nov 4th
Monday Nov 11th
Thursday Nov 14th
Monday Nov 18th
Tickets
To make this workshop more accessible we have a tiered ticket pricing of €200/250/300. We have limited availability, please choose the ticket price according to your financial circumstances.
We provide part and full scholarships for people working on social impact projects. If you would like to apply please fill in this form, and we will be in touch.
Cultural Synergy -
Using our differences as a resource
Your Guides
Course Content
FAQs
If you have any other questions, please get in touch. We’ll love to hear from you :)
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