In Praise of Complexity: Rethinking Cultural Adaptability in the Global Workplace
As an intercultural trainer, consultant, and anthropologist, I have spent my career helping people navigate human differences, particularly in multicultural teams and global organizations. Over the years, I’ve become increasingly skeptical of books and speakers who promise quick and easy methods for adapting to any culture. The idea of a one-size-fits-all solution is seductive, but […]
5 Pitfalls of Voluntourism
Charging travelers for volunteer opportunities abroad can be a lucrative revenue stream, but do these short-term assignments do more harm than good? So much of…
3 Fallacies of Voluntourism
In 2019 at the Global PDX Conference, I moderated a panel called “Voluntourism: Power, Privilege, and New Possibilities.” We didn’t shy away from the controversies of sending people overseas for short-term assignments, some of which I’ve documented in the article “5 Pitfalls of Voluntourism.” While the challenges and disappointments of voluntourism have been well-documented in […]
5 Ways to Incorporate Equity into Your Virtual Events
While virtual experiences continue to be the only way we can connect with our supporters during this pandemic, many organizations are wondering what more they can do to incorporate equity into their events. Don’t let this powerful principle live in the HR manual—in this article, I provide five ways to incorporate equity in your virtual […]
Evaluating Equity in Suppliers and Tour Operators
In the fall of 2019, I was speaking with a client about creating a process for vetting prospective tour operators around equity. Her organization has a strong social justice component in their mission and wanted to ensure they were partnering with tour operators who shared their commitment. This proved challenging, as some tour operators only […]