Working in a Multicultural World: A Guide to Developing Intercultural Competence

Measureable, data driven outcomes are not the only indicators of success in today’s multicultural and globalized workforce.  How employees interact with their colleagues and customers is also a significant factor in their career development.

Luciara Nardon draws on her extensive research and international experience to guide employees and managers through the ambiguous and uncertain waters of today’s multicultural workplace. Each intercultural encounter is unique, involving different people, contexts, dynamics, and actions which general cultural protocols are unable to address. In Working in a Multicultural World, Nardon offers a comprehensive framework for understanding intercultural interactions and developing skills for successful intercultural situations. Numerous examples and exercises, including how to reconcile personal beliefs of equality with a hierarchical workplace and how to respond to perceived aggressiveness in business negotiations, enable employees and managers to embark on reflective processes that will springboard their intercultural competence. Working in a Multicultural World is an accessibly written and valuable resource for all professionals in today’s workplace as well as students and travelers interested in intercultural relations.

Luciara Nardon is an associate professor of international business in the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University. She has taught courses on international management in Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, and the United States.