Executive Coaching - A Guide For The HR Professional.pdf

120 EXECUTIVE COACHING
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Programmed Instruction
Clients are asked to read about a cross-cultural encounter and
choose an interpretation of what happened and why. Programmed
instruction is designed to expose members of one culture to some
of the basic concepts, attitudes, role perceptions, customs, and values
of another. Most scenarios are based on critical incidents that
are important to the respective culture.
Formal Instruction
Through lectures or tutorials, clients are given information about
the expatriate adaptation cycle, the stages of adjustment, and the
possibility of culture shock. Topic areas also include a geographical
and historical briefing, security counseling, and language training.
The coach can help the client gain self-awareness and target the
work-related tasks that are affected the most by cultural differences.
The use of cross-cultural development tools can then help the client
to learn new behaviors to maximize effectiveness in the new culture.
What to Look for in a Coach
A cross-cultural coach should:
• Be familiar with both the culture of the client and the
culture of the target country
• Understand the implications of a different value system
and behaviors in order to help the client use cultural
differences to competitive advantage
• Be able to interact with people from other cultures
• Have some familiarity with a foreign environment in
order to anticipate the challenges the clients are likely
to encounter