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How do we become more culturally fluent leaders?
Jane Hyun
In this episode, Nicole Jansen invites global leadership strategist Jane Hyun to explore empathy and cultural fluency in leadership effectiveness. As a coach to Fortune 500 companies and author of pivotal works such as “Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling,” Jane Hyun brings a wealth of knowledge on inclusive leadership and self-care practices essential for today’s fast-paced business environment.
Reflecting on her personal journey from South Korea to New York City, Jane shares how her experiences of cultural dissonance have shaped her leadership strategies. Together, Jane and Nicole unpack the process of navigating cultural differences and the power of empathy in leadership. They discuss actionable strategies for leaders to create whole-person workplaces, emphasizing emotional health, diversity, and continuous personal growth.
Join us as we explore the nuances of cross-cultural leadership, the intricate responsibilities that come with roles in diverse work environments, and the importance of self-care amidst increasing work complexities.
What We Discuss in this Episode
- Maintaining emotional connections within teams.
- Creating whole-person workplaces where emotional connections are valued.
- The importance of taking time to process grief and emotions in leadership.
- Continual personal growth and the necessity for cultural fluency in leadership.
- Building bridges across racial, gender, and other differences.
- Reflective questions for engaging effectively in new and high-stakes situations.
- Practicing reflective habits to challenge assumptions and slow down.
- The mismanagement of expectations and understanding the company’s bigger mission.
- Effective self-care practices and the importance of understanding one’s value proposition.
Podcast Highlights
0:00 – Cross-cultural leadership and changing workplaces.
3:05 – Experiencing cultural differences personally.
7:03 – Navigating cultural fluency.
10:22 – Bringing authenticity to the workplace.
16:46 – Mismanaged expectations stem from unclear role communication.
20:22 – Demonstrating self-empathy as a leader.
24:11 – Creating genuine workplace connection.
29:15 – Steps to engaging effectively with others.
34:40 – Explore books for valuable insights, connect via show notes.
Favorite Quotes
Self-Care and Effectiveness: “To handle challenges effectively, one must practice self-kindness and take necessary breaks.”
Empathy and Connection: “Building bridges across differences and practicing empathy can transform leadership and enhance team dynamics.”
Reflective Leadership: “Leading with curiosity rather than judgment opens pathways to better engagement and cultural fluency.”
Episode Resources 
- Leadership Toolkit for Asians – The Definitive Resource Guide for Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling
- Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling
- FLEX – The New Playbook for Managing Across Differences
Follow and Connect with Jane Hyun Online
- Website: hyunassociates.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-hyun
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