The Confidential Counselor in a Multicultural Workplace

Many confidential counselors work in multicultural and international organizations. This brings with it the necessary challenges, because there are many cultural differences in communication, giving feedback, manners and filing complaints.

If this is not properly understood, people can feel misunderstood, uncomfortable or insulted. In some cases, this will not be the intention of their colleagues, and sometimes there is indeed a conscious exclusion in the workplace.

In the interactive training course ‘The confidential counselor in the multicultural workplace’, we give confidential counselors the right knowledge and tools to also make a difference interculturally, and to be ready with more understanding for employees from different cultures. We do this partly by means of theory, including from the book ‘The Culture Map’ by Erin Meyer. In addition, the training consists of many exercises, such as a role play, case, brainstorming session and an exercise on personal space / indicating boundaries.

At the end of the training, participants will receive the book ‘The Culture Map’ as a reference, so that they can further explore cultural differences in a business context after the training.

After the training, participants will go home with knowledge about:

• The 8 factors that determine our behavior in the workplace worldwide
• The application of the 4 most important factors: (in)direct communication, giving/receiving feedback, decision-making and how we (dis)agree with each other
• The (lagging) reporting behavior of international employees
• The diversity in norms and values ​​in social situations

After the training, participants will be able to be more confident in their work environment for international colleagues, including by practicing the following skills during the training:

• Recognizing (in)direct communication, and asking the right follow-up questions to understand the other person
• Recognizing different forms of feedback, and being able to apply them based on the recipient
• Collecting input and feedback from employees who are used to a more hierarchical environment
• Resolving a conflict between employees after a (seemingly) innocent discussion
• Inviting reports from international colleagues
• Sensing what level of physical distance is pleasant for people
• Creating an action plan for social company events, to address cultural differences regarding (among other things) physical distance, touch, alcohol consumption and flirting

The training is conducted by Andrea Rijna

Andrea is not a trainer who allows you to passively earn your professional education points. The training is not solely about knowledge transfer but also about ‘experiencing’ through practice. This can be personally challenging, possibly confrontational for some, as Andrea believes that training should also involve stepping into discomfort.

If you have any questions before registering, please email opleidingen@devertrouwenspersoon.nl

Costs

The cost of the training is €295 (exempt from VAT), including materials, accommodation, coffee, and tea.

If you choose to attend both trainings (the morning session on the same day: Intervening in Inappropriate Behaviour, BNS hours: 4) and spend the entire day with us, a catered lunch will be provided.

Location

Delft, easily accessible by public transport and car.

Number of participants

8–14 (the training will proceed subject to reaching the minimum number of participants)

Result after following a course study

• After the training, participants will be better equipped to confidently support international colleagues in the workplace.
• As a registered Confidential Counselor with the National Association of Confidential Counselors, you will receive 4 BNS points for your participation. If you also attend the morning training 'Intervening in Inappropriate Behavior' on the same day, you will receive a total of 8 BNS points.