Today on the Career Connection Podcast we will learn more about Cultural Differences at the workplace. Not only will we share insights on the cultural difference when applying, the subject discussed in the previous episode of the Career Connection podcast, but today we will focus on the cultural differences you will run into at the workplace itself.

Learn more about:

• The experienced Dutch Directness,
• The way the Dutch handle feedback at the workplace and
• The importance of asking for help

To have a lively conversation about this topic I invited a special guest to the show: Cécile Booms. Cecile is a driven professional specialised in finding creative ways to help individuals at work and private life. She helps companies in setting up programmes to support their international employees and the partners of the employees to touch the ground and build new roots in the Eindhoven area.

Cecile knows what it’s like to be an Expat in her own country, she was born in the Netherlands, grew up in China, attending international schools before graduating from uni in the UK. This lifelong intercultural experience and affinity with working in an international setting and fascination by the between-worlds dynamic made her set up her own Company Branching Out, wanting to help internationals who find themselves foundering in new countries.

Essential Learning points:

• We don’t talk about it and we should address things more – at least this is the Dutch perspective. By omitting things, you show also respect towards the other person, without bringing things to the table.
• Relationship versus task-based – invest in building the relationship or deliver a good product and good service.

Key Quotes:

• “When I first made the move to the UK, I realised this was a lot more of culture shock between that part than between China because in China I felt there were going to be differences and in the UK I didn’t realise how many differences were there.”
• “I don’t think someone should copy a culture there not from.”
• “At your first work day, you get a tour, …….if you need anything, I’ll be over here and you can ask.”

Important Links and Mentions:

• Find out more and connect with Cècile Booms and her company Branching Out 
• Find out more and connect with Mariëlle Obels on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Career Connection
• Learn more about the member program run by Marielle