Send us a text Stephanie shares her journey from growing up in a culturally diverse Lebanon to becoming an intercultural coach in Saudi Arabia, highlighting how travel and exposure to different cultures shaped her worldview and professional approach. • British-Lebanese background with extensive experience in hospitality and learning & development • Set a personal goal to visit 30 countries by age 30, which sparked a lifelong passion for cultural exploration • Believes travel and cultural...

In this conversation, KnowledgeWorkx founder Marco Blankenburgh interviews Roberta Saffels—Brazilian-American psychologist, 25-year expat, and positive-leadership consultant based in Doha, Qatar. Roberta explains how Positive Psychology shifts focus from “fixing what’s wrong” to enabling people and organisations to flourish—from zero to plus ten. She describes Positive Leadership’s practice of spotlighting strengths first, then “calibrating” over-used talents rather than patching weaknesses. ...

The surprising shifts in American foreign policy under Trump aren't just political—they're deeply cultural. Marco Blankenburgh and Rana Nejem break new ground by applying KnowledgeWorkx' Three Colors of Worldview framework to decode global politics, revealing patterns that traditional analysis misses entirely. Trump's leadership represents a seismic shift from America's traditional innocence-guilt orientation (centered on laws and being "right") to a power-fear approach with honor-shame as a...

Send us a text Cultural misunderstandings can derail business deals, fracture teams, and create seemingly intractable workplace conflicts—but most of us lack the language to identify what's really happening beneath the surface. Through vivid stories and practical examples, this episode reveals how the KnowledgeWorkx 12 Dimensions of Culture framework provides that missing language, empowering us to navigate complex cultural landscapes with confidence and skill. Marco Blankenburgh shares a po...

Have you ever wondered how cultural differences shape our interactions? In this episode, Marco and Shelley explore the transformative concept of intercultural agility through the lens of the 12 Dimensions of Culture. Each dimension offers a unique perspective on how we understand ourselves and others in a multicultural world. From defining growth strategies to navigating communication styles, understanding these dimensions can enhance your intercultural skills, building stronger relationships...

Around 70% of most change initiatives are unsuccessful in organizations around the world. How can we create organizations that have the agility to successfully create real change? Join us as Marco Blankenburgh, International Director of KnowledgeWorkx, shares his insights into how agility has shifted from sports and military roots to a key component in business leadership and development. Together, Marco and Shelley explore the significance of collaborative cultures inspired by sports teams...

What truly makes diversity initiatives succeed in today's complex global world? Join Marco Blankenburgh and Linda Berlot as they uncover the qualities of courage and cultural learning necessary for engaging in impactful intercultural dialogues. Their conversation navigates through the intricate layers of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives, dissecting the global hurdles these face. The episode reveals why some DEIB efforts fall short and how giants like Microsoft a...

Discover the secrets to applying cultural agility successfully on teams with our esteemed guest, Linda Berlot, whose 20 years of living in Dubai and working across various countries have uniquely positioned her to identify and bridge cultural differences. Linda's rich tapestry of experiences reveals how intercultural agility can transform team miscommunication into curiosity and mutual understanding, ultimately enhancing collaboration and effectiveness. Navigate the complexities of diversit...

How do you create a thriving family culture amidst family tension and succession planning? Join us as we explore this pressing question with Andrew Doust, founder of Plenitude Partners. In this insightful episode, we uncover the intricate web of challenges and opportunities that wealthy families face in balancing relational and emotional dynamics amidst significant financial success. Andrew takes us through his transformative journey from working in a family office to focusing on the importa...

How can you truly appreciate, honor, and empower diverse perspectives? By understanding and applying the Three Colors of Worldview, you can develop intercultural agility and recognize individual uniqueness. In this 2nd episode of the Three Colors of Worldview series, we clarify its purpose and emphasize the importance of not misusing it to stereotype regions or cultures. By stretching beyond natural preferences, one can foster a richer comprehension of different cultural patterns and enhanc...

What if understanding three simple colors could transform your perspective on intercultural connection? Join us as Shelley Reinhart welcomes Marco, International Director of KnowledgeWorks, to discuss the innovative framework known as the Three Colors of Worldview. We challenge the limitations of traditional intercultural literature by unveiling a more profound approach that transcends country-specific clichés. Drawing inspiration from psychometric tools and Roland Muller's groundbreaking wor...

In a world that's rapidly shrinking due to globalization, the role of human resources (HR) is evolving just as quickly. Erika, a seasoned HR professional, sat down with Marco Blankenburgh to share her remarkable journey from Pennsylvania to becoming a global HR expert. Her story is not just one of personal growth but also a lesson on the critical importance of intercultural agility within the HR space. This episode is a trove of insights for anyone seeking to understand the profound impact o...

When cultures collide within the coaching arena, the game changes entirely. That's why this episode, featuring Matt Trenchard and Sarah Anthony, peels back the layers to expose the intricate dance of intercultural coaching. We uncover how these experiences enrich our professional coaching, inviting a deep-seated respect and endless curiosity for the untapped potential in every individual we encounter. Venture with us through the labyrinth of global interactions where challenges lurk an...

Nancy Wolf captivates us with her experiences of moving from America to Africa, a decision that propelled her family into a whirlwind of cultural discoveries and personal growth. This journey is not just about relocating geographically but also about transitioning through a cultural metamorphosis, which often requires courage and openness to the unknown. Her insights illuminate the courage it takes to immerse oneself in an unfamiliar culture and the profound growth that results from su...

We're delighted to introduce our esteemed guest, David Myles, who brings a unique perspective on race and intercultural agility. Born and raised an African-American in a largely white community, David's journey is one that shines a spotlight on the importance of investing in relationships and going beyond the conventional right and wrong approach. Our in-depth chat dives into the necessity of intercultural agility, a skill that's non-negotiable in our ever-evolving world, and how it helps in ...

Are you ready to turn the intricacies of intercultural meetings from minefields into gold mines? Let's embark on this journey together with, Marco Blankenburgh, the International Director of KnowledgeWorkx. We'll interrogate the challenges of cultural nuances in meeting spaces, and how to navigate the virtual and face-to-face interactions in our current work environment. Get ready to learn from Microsoft's intriguing research on how the pandemic has modified meeting dynamics and how to foster...

"Power tends to corrupt, absolute power corrupts absolutely." Lord Acton made this statement in 1887 and it still informs our view of power today. But is power all bad? Is there any beauty in it? If we have power, what do we do with it? Are hierarchical cultures based on power, "bad"? Through these questions and many more, Marco and Ming-Jinn guide you in this exciting and enlightening deep dive into the nature of power. They leave us with a clear, insightful path forward to enga...

How can teachers create a cultural space in their classrooms where students of all backgrounds can thrive? Listen as Shelley Reinhart, KnowledgeWorkx Director of Education, unpacks this question with educators and Ph.D. students Yasemin Altas and Victoria Hopkin. Yasemin has been teaching at universities for nearly three decades. She is a faculty member teaching intercultural studies at the Higher Colleges of Technology, in the UAE. She has a Master's in Management in Education, is ...

How did a small team from Northern Ireland create a world-renowned service and build up an international clientele winning multiple national and global awards for their excellence? Find out as Marco talks with Iain Wilson the CEO of IBC- Music and a Certified Inter-Cultural Intelligence Practitioner. IBC-Music specializes in helping international musical instrument brands find manufacturing and distribution partners across the world. Just last month, IBC Music won The King’s Award for Ente...

Whether it's leading staff living around the world, navigating different cultural and personal workstyles, or working on teams across borders — leading globally keeps becoming more complex. Global leaders must guide their teams through local and regional instabilities, drastic industry changes, political upheaval, protests and strikes, and many other turbulent surprises. In this episode, Marco and Shelley walk through the things global leaders need to succeed in today's world. They exp...