Unlocking Cultural Agility with Marco Blankenburgh

KnowledgeWorkx
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Explore the diverse stories of some of the most advanced Intercultural practitioners from around the world with Marco Blankenburgh, who has been equipping people with cultural agility for 25+ years. Along the way, you will gain cultural insights that will help you find relational success in our globally diverse world. 

  1. FEB 11

    Is Your Team Ready for the AI Shift?

    Send a text In this episode, Marco Blankenburgh unpacks a critical reality that most tech discussions miss: AI isn't removing complexity from our work... it’s just moving it. Marco explores the shifting landscape of global organizations where Artificial Intelligence is rapidly taking over structured, process-driven tasks. But what happens to the humans? Marco argues that as machines handle the "middle," human beings are pushed to the edges into roles requiring high-level sense-making and deep relational effectiveness. Instead of a frictionless future, we are entering an era where complexity relocates to the "space between" people. In this conversation, Marco explores questions like: Where does complexity go when AI takes over our technical tasks? Why does increased efficiency often lead to higher friction in human interactions? How can Intercultural Agility help us navigate the "messy" human dynamics that algorithms can't solve? This episode offers practical insight into how frameworks like the Three Colors of Worldview and the 12 Dimensions of Culture apply to the AI revolution. It challenges leaders to stop looking for technological fixes to cultural problems and start building the relational capacity their teams need to truly thrive. If you are leading a team through digital transformation, struggling with "human friction" in a high-tech environment, or trying to define the future value of your workforce, this episode offers a roadmap for what comes next. -- Looking for a book to take your cultural agility to the next step, check out the Ultimate Intercultural Question Book (https://interculturalquestions.com/) brought to you by KnowledgeWorkx.com (https://www.knowledgeworkx.com/) Prefer to watch? You can find the full video version of this episode and many more insightful discussions on our YouTube channel:http://www.youtube.com/@KnowledgeWorkxVideo -- Looking for a book to take your cultural agility to the next step, check out the Ultimate Intercultural Question Book brought to you by KnowledgeWorkx.com

    9 min

  2. JAN 17

    From Resistance to Resonance: Co-Creating Change That Lasts

    Send us a text In this episode, George Kesselaar joins Marco Blankenburgh for a powerful conversation that redefines how we think about change. George brings insight from his PhD research at the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business, where he explores the behavioral side of change in global organizations. What makes his work stand out is its intentional design through the lens of Intercultural Agility. Instead of treating change as something that is rolled out, George shows how it can be co-created with people across cultures. Together, Marco and George explore questions like: ·       What causes change efforts to stall, even when the strategy is clear? ·       How can we move from rollout to resonance? ·       What does it take to create culture rather than dictate it? This conversation offers practical insight into frameworks such as the Three Colors of Worldview, the 12 Dimensions of Culture, and the idea of building a Third Cultural Space. But more than that, it invites us to reflect on how leaders show up in times of change, how they listen, and how they align with people before inviting into a journey of change. If you are working on (digital/technology) transformation, navigating resistance, or designing culture in a global environment, this episode will offer you a new way to see and lead change that lasts.  -- Looking for a book to take your cultural agility to the next step, check out the Ultimate Intercultural Question Book brought to you by KnowledgeWorkx.com

    1h 4m

  3. 12/16/2025

    Creating Culture in a Transient World: Chris and Marco

    Send us a text In this episode of the Unlocking Cultural Agility Podcast, Marco Blankenburgh is joined by Chris O’Shaughnessy to explore what Third Culture Kids can teach us about identity, belonging, and culture creation in a transient world. Together, they unpack powerful metaphors, practical examples from family life, and why language and frameworks matter when navigating life between cultures. A rich conversation for parents, educators, and anyone working across cultures. -- Looking for a book to take your cultural agility to the next step, check out the Ultimate Intercultural Question Book brought to you by KnowledgeWorkx.com

    56 min

  4. 10/14/2025

    Navigating the Global Hospitality Landscape: A Journey Through Intercultural Agility

    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 exposure challenges judgment, understanding, and personal worldviews • Completed certification in intercultural coaching to better serve diverse teams in hospitality • Currently witnessing rapid cultural change in Saudi Arabia as the country develops its hospitality industry • Values cultural assessment tools that help people understand their own worldviews and biases • Navigates the balance between international hospitality standards and local cultural practices • Advocates connecting with people beyond cultural labels while respecting different beliefs • Building her coaching business "Step by Step" focusing on leadership and intercultural coaching If you'd like to learn more about getting certified in intercultural intelligence, check out the links in our show notes. Share this podcast with someone you think would benefit from these insights. -- Looking for a book to take your cultural agility to the next step, check out the Ultimate Intercultural Question Book brought to you by KnowledgeWorkx.com

    43 min
  5. Calibrating Strengths is More Powerful Than Fixing Weaknesses

    07/30/2025

    Calibrating Strengths is More Powerful Than Fixing Weaknesses

    Send us a text 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 dialogue explores why wellbeing at work is tightly linked to the quality of a leader’s relationships, and how Inter-Cultural Intelligence (ICI) provides the missing language for navigating honour-shame dynamics, collective agency, and communication styles in the Gulf region. Marco and Roberta share real-world stories—from Qatari start-ups to global NGOs—showing how an appreciative, culturally agile approach unlocks engagement and performance. Roberta also previews her upcoming Positive Leadership Academy, a 12-week formation journey blending cultural intelligence, emotional intelligence, and an AI “nudge coach” to embed new habits. Listen in to discover practical ways to shift your leadership from problem-solving to possibility-finding—and help your team thrive across cultures. In this podcast you will learn: How Positive Psychology moves leaders beyond “removing distress” to creating flourishing, high-engagement cultures.Why spotlighting existing strengths shifts the whole organisation’s performance more effectively than fixing weaknesses.How Inter-Cultural Intelligence helps leaders navigate honour-shame dynamics, collective agency, and communication styles in the Gulf region.Practical ways to balance credibility and collaboration—priming conversations so teams contribute without leaders losing face.The vision behind the new 12-week Positive Leadership Academy and how its AI “nudge coach” embeds lasting behaviour change.Learn more about Roberta's work here: https://robertasaffels.com/ Additional suggested reading: How to increase your effectiveness as a global leader Introducing the Three Colors of Worldview Introducing the 12 Dimensions of Culture -- Looking for a book to take your cultural agility to the next step, check out the Ultimate Intercultural Question Book brought to you by KnowledgeWorkx.com

    53 min
  6. Trump, Trade, and Tariffs | Understand the cultural forces behind the current global shifts

    06/29/2025

    Trump, Trade, and Tariffs | Understand the cultural forces behind the current global shifts

    Send us a text 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 secondary driver. His language consistently emphasizes strength, winning, and position: "America's back in charge," and "The Chinese will learn not to test us again." This fundamental change forces both domestic and international actors to recalibrate their responses. The cultural clashes playing out globally provide fascinating case studies in intercultural misalignment. JD Vance's disastrous NATO security summit appearance violated European diplomatic conventions of respect and consensus-building. Yet the same Vance demonstrated remarkable cultural agility during his visit to India, only to revert to power-oriented rhetoric upon returning home. Meanwhile, China's response to being called "peasants" wasn't about power assertion but about restoring honor in the face of shame—a critical distinction for understanding their behavior. Saudi Arabia's masterful reception of Trump—from F-16 escorts to purple carpets signifying royalty—shows how cultural intelligence can be strategically deployed to build relationships, while a small misstep with traditional coffee service reveals how easily cultural nuances can be missed. In our increasingly divided world, with rising nationalism and hardening borders, intercultural agility becomes not just beneficial but essential. The journey begins with self-awareness—understanding our own cultural lenses—and extends to developing skills for effectively engaging across cultural divides, whether in family relationships, workplace collaborations, or international diplomacy. Discover how you too can develop these critical skills for navigating our complex multicultural world. Visit KnowledgeWorkx.com to explore certification options and access hundreds of articles on intercultural agility. | In this episode, you will learn:    -- How to respond to powerful leaders making powerful decisions—you can comply, disengage, resist (if you can win), or work within the system    -- Why Saudi Arabia's reception of Trump displayed masterful intercultural agility through symbolic honors tailored to his worldview    -- How China's response to being called "peasants" demonstrates honor-shame dynamics rather than simple power assertion | Learn More about:    -- Global Leadership - How to Become a Culturally Agile Leader    -- The Top 10 Organizational Values Around the World    -- Interculturally Agile Consulting -- Looking for a book to take your cultural agility to the next step, check out the Ultimate Intercultural Question Book brought to you by KnowledgeWorkx.com

    52 min
  7. Applying the 12 Dimensions of Culture | Part 2

    05/26/2025

    Applying the 12 Dimensions of Culture | Part 2

    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 powerful coaching story where a single conversation using the Status dimension helped a frustrated senior female leader understand the cultural barriers she faced in her financial institution. This clarity ultimately led her to launch a successful independent advisory company, realizing the depth of the cultural dynamics at play. From dress codes to decision-making processes, from coaching methodologies to conflict management, the 12 Dimensions framework illuminates hidden cultural factors shaping our everyday interactions. What sets this approach apart is its focus on the individual cultural journey rather than national stereotypes. When asking, "Where are you from?" we learn not to make assumptions, but to be curious about the unique person before us. And rather than getting stuck in cultural differences, teams use this framework to consciously craft their shared culture—deciding together who they want to be. Whether you're managing diverse teams, expanding internationally, or simply seeking more meaningful connections with colleagues, this episode provides practical insights for becoming more interculturally agile in today's complex world. In this episode, you will learn:  How to identify and navigate hidden cultural dynamicsHow to apply cultural insights to real-world challengesAbout how to build inclusive, intentional team cultures Read More about: How to Navigate "People" and "Time"Leadership and Communication for a Global WorldContext in Intercultural Organizations-- Looking for a book to take your cultural agility to the next step, check out the Ultimate Intercultural Question Book brought to you by KnowledgeWorkx.com

    1h 5m
  8. Discovering the 12 Dimensions of Culture | Part 1

    03/17/2025

    Discovering the 12 Dimensions of Culture | Part 1

    Send us a text 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 in both personal and professional settings. We start by unpacking the Growth dimension, discussing how different cultures approach development and teamwork. We also differentiate between universal and situational relationships, offering insights into how your perception of connections influences your relationships at work and beyond. Furthermore, we examine various outlooks on the future, from tradition-focused to innovation-driven perspectives, which inform our decision-making processes in diverse contexts. Communication is crucial in any intercultural interaction - we dive into the differences between direct and indirect styles and how being adaptable can lead to more effective engagement. The episode also addresses accountability, emphasizing the importance of community alongside individual responsibility, reshaping how future generations view their roles in the workplace. This rich tapestry of cultural dimensions not only enhances self-awareness but also provides tools for fostering better connections across cultures.  | In this episode, you will learn:    -- About the Cultural Mapping inventory (CMi), discovering each dimension.    -- How development and teamwork can be approached when considering the Growth dimension.    -- About fostering connection through understanding individual culture. Read More about: 12 Dimension of Culture Framework (https://www.knowledgeworkx.com/framework-12-dimension-of-culture)12 Dimensions of Culture in TrafficHow to Navigate People and Time -- Looking for a book to take your cultural agility to the next step, check out the Ultimate Intercultural Question Book brought to you by KnowledgeWorkx.com

    1h 7m
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Explore the diverse stories of some of the most advanced Intercultural practitioners from around the world with Marco Blankenburgh, who has been equipping people with cultural agility for 25+ years. Along the way, you will gain cultural insights that will help you find relational success in our globally diverse world. 

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