A Step Ahead by Monika Chutnik

Monika Chutnik
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A Step Ahead is a podcast for those who make change happen. You might be a manager or leader, HR or a consultant, or even an individual person working in an international or virtual setting. Find hints and benchmarks on staying ahead with your team, your company, and even in your own life. We are discussing here everything related to - intercultural communication, cooperation and management - Virtual and hybrid teams - being a leader for your people and leading your own life Find more benchmarks and content on www.stepahead.pro Join the other listeners and stay a step ahead! Monika Chutnik

  1. Driving Sustainable Careers - Towards Growth Zone - ASA 022

    FEB 10

    Driving Sustainable Careers - Towards Growth Zone - ASA 022

    hat drives a career forward in a truly sustainable way? It is never just hard work or ambition. It is a living combination of inner motivation, psychological safety, courage, clarity, and the often‑forgotten balance between work and life that keeps us healthy enough to grow over the long run.​ This conversation with Marci Macedo is a beautiful exploration of what it truly means to grow.  In this episode you will learn: Why a sustainable career needs resilience, clarity, and reinvention beyond titlesHow motivation plus psychological safety create a growth zone where you can truly thriveHow lack of psychological safety quietly destroys motivation and innovation at workWhy aligning your life purpose and professional purpose changes how you show upWhat real life–work balance means and why over‑identifying with work is riskyHow growth zone principles also apply at home, in families as our “first business.”Why empowering women needs both strong tools and a supportive communityHow to take the first step in (re)building your career by starting small and being kind to yourself Find more materials at www.astepahead.pro/022 When you listen to this episode, think of someone who would also listen to it for the benefit of themselves or their team and share the link to the recording. I wish you a sense of fun and discovery! Do you want to be kept up to date? Subscribe to the newsletter: www.astepahead.pro/newsletter

    27 min
  2. Setting Goals for Purposeful Life - ASA 021

    08/26/2025

    Setting Goals for Purposeful Life - ASA 021

    When we think about setting goals, we usually relate to the business context. But aren't we in need of setting goals for our lives as well? Or is there a difference between setting a goal, setting an objective, maybe setting a direction? That's a very interesting topic to discuss and I'm having a very great guest to be discussing this topic today, Bruno Morgante. By no coincidence he is talking about goals because he knows a lot about that in his life. In this episode you will learn: why setting goals is essential for creating a purposeful lifehow clear objectives act as your compass during turbulent timesthe difference between outputs, outcomes, and real value in both life and project managementwhy achieving goals is less important than the transformation you experience along the wayhow to start setting realistic yet ambitious objectives that spark growthwhat a winning mindset means and how it connects to personal and professional success Find more materials at www.astepahead.pro/021 When you listen to this episode, think of someone who would also listen to it for the benefit of themselves or their team and share the link to the recording. I wish you a sense of fun and discovery! Do you want to be kept up to date? Subscribe to the newsletter: www.astepahead.pro/newsletter

    41 min
  3. Making Friends with Hungarians - ASA 020

    05/27/2025

    Making Friends with Hungarians - ASA 020

    In Poland, we have a saying: A Pole and a Hungarian are like two brothers. We both like to fight, and we both like to drink. That’s how the saying goes. I think this is what many people commonly imagine about Hungarians—and about working with them. Now, we can assume that this saying, which blends humor with stereotype, might contain a grain of truth. But I believe—and I’m quite convinced—that there’s much more to know about Hungary and Hungarians than what this little proverb suggests. In this episode you will learn: Why Hungarians might seem reserved—and what it really meansHow handshake customs differ in Hungary compared to other countriesThe role of food, drinks, and small talk in building business relationshipsWhy learning just a few Hungarian words can make a big differenceHow Hungarians give and receive feedback at workWhat to avoid in early conversations (hint: politics!)How historical events still influence Hungarian drinking habitsThe difference between direct and indirect communication styles in HungaryTips for working effectively with Hungarian colleagues—virtually or in personWhy building trust takes time, but lasts long in Hungarian cultureFind more materials at www.astepahead.pro/020 When you listen to this episode, think of someone who would also listen to it for the benefit of themselves or their team and share the link to the recording. I wish you a sense of fun and discovery! Do you want to be kept up to date? Subscribe to the newsletter: www.astepahead.pro/newsletter

    44 min
  4. How to make CEE audience speak - ASA 019

    05/13/2025

    How to make CEE audience speak - ASA 019

    When you cooperate with people from Poland, especially when you run meetings or trainings—whether face to face or online—you might face the challanges. Many of my international colleagues, particularly those coming from Western European and North American countries, feel a bit insecure about how to read reactions from us. By “us,” I mean Polish people, but also more generally people from Central and Eastern Europe, because it seems that the type of reactions and behaviors in meetings is quite similar across our part of Europe.  In this episode you will learn: Why CEE audiences often stay silent or hesitate to speak in meetingsHow history, education, and hierarchy shape communication in CEEWhy leaving space to speak is key—and why interrupting is avoidedHow fear of making mistakes in English holds people backHow to spot and engage quieter participants in mixed cultural groupsTools and techniques to boost engagement in CEE teamsWhy setting expectations upfront makes a big differenceHow small groups, anonymous tools, and personal stories can encourage interactionWhy managers should speak last to get honest opinionsFind more materials at www.astepahead.pro/019 When you listen to this episode, think of someone who would also listen to it for the benefit of themselves or their team and share the link to the recording. I wish you a sense of fun and discovery! Do you want to be kept up to date? Subscribe to the newsletter: www.astepahead.pro/newsletter

    44 min
  5. How to speak 10 languages - ASA 018

    04/29/2025

    How to speak 10 languages - ASA 018

    How open are we to language acquisition? This is what we are discussing in today's episode.We work a lot with international audiences and international teams, and it seems that language plays an important role here. This is why I'm so glad to have Vladislav Alehno as my guest. Vlad is not just a polyglot — he is a hyperpolyglot. In this episode you will learn: Why calling a language "foreign" can block your progress — and what to say instead.How to connect with a language emotionally, not just intellectually.Why "complex" is better than "difficult" when describing languages.How Vlad learned French fluently in just one year using natural immersion.Why attitude matters more than talent in language learning.Simple first steps to start learning any language.How languages build bridges — and become part of your personal story. Find more materials at www.astepahead.pro/018 When you listen to this episode, think of someone who would also listen to it for the benefit of themselves or their team and share the link to the recording. I wish you a sense of fun and discovery! Do you want to be kept up to date? Subscribe to the newsletter: www.astepahead.pro/newsletter

    44 min
  6. Managing stakeholders in Asia - ASA 017

    04/15/2025

    Managing stakeholders in Asia - ASA 017

    Visiting a place for a holiday is not the same as working hand in hand with local professionals, managing projects together, and navigating shared responsibilities.Today, I’m joined by a special guest who knows this world from the inside out: Beata Malinowska, who shares her real-life experience of working across Asian cultures—not just Asia as a region, but as a collection of distinct countries, customs, and ways of doing business. In this episode you will learn: How to build trust with stakeholders in AsiaKey cultural differences across Asian countriesWhy humility matters in international projectsHow to deal with ambiguity and uncertaintyWhat to know about hierarchy and communicationGender dynamics in Asian business environmentsHow to adapt your leadership style by regionThe impact of strong company cultureTips for preparing to work abroadWhy mindset and empathy are game-changers Find more materials at www.astepahead.pro/017 When you listen to this episode, think of someone who would also listen to it for the benefit of themselves or their team and share the link to the recording. I wish you a sense of fun and discovery! Do you want to be kept up to date? Subscribe to the newsletter: www.astepahead.pro/newsletter

    47 min
  7. Winning hearts with storytelling - ASA 016

    04/01/2025

    Winning hearts with storytelling - ASA 016

    When you think about storytelling and business, there is a question how you can combine these two areas. Let me tell you, the connection is just amazing and fascinating. It's very, very, very strong and I have a great guest - Yingdan Liu - who can tell us more about how it works, what it is and why it is so important to have storytelling skills especially when you are a leader.  In this episode you will learn: Why storytelling?Why is storytelling so adequate in business?What are the necessary elements of a story?The Five S model for creating good storiesThe most common myths about storytellingWill artificial intelligence replace storytellers?How one story can change a person's life? Find more materials at www.astepahead.pro/016 When you listen to this episode, think of someone who would also listen to it for the benefit of themselves or their team and share the link to the recording. I wish you a sense of fun and discovery! Do you want to be kept up to date? Subscribe to the newsletter: www.astepahead.pro/newsletter

    55 min
  8. 7 Steps to Creating Successful DEI Change - ASA 015

    02/20/2024

    7 Steps to Creating Successful DEI Change - ASA 015

    In this episode, I'm having a special guest, who can tell us a bit more about how we can really put a little bit of brain into all our hard attempts and how to apply a structured approach to creating DEI change. Kasper Jelsbech has dedicated a big part of your professional life to diversity, equity, and inclusion. He works as partner and chief consultant at a company called Living Institute. In this episode you will learn: What does a systemic approach to DEI start from?Should you rather focus on diversity or inclusion?What are the 7 steps that an organization needs to take before it starts adjusting its processes?What's the right sequence of actions?What is a nonpromotable task?How much time does it take to create a sustainable culture change in a company?Find more materials at www.astepahead.pro/015 When you listen to this episode, think of someone who would also listen to it for the benefit of themselves or their team and share the link to the recording. I wish you a sense of fun and discovery! Do you want to be kept up to date? Subscribe to the newsletter: www.astepahead.pro/newsletter

    55 min
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About

A Step Ahead is a podcast for those who make change happen. You might be a manager or leader, HR or a consultant, or even an individual person working in an international or virtual setting. Find hints and benchmarks on staying ahead with your team, your company, and even in your own life. We are discussing here everything related to - intercultural communication, cooperation and management - Virtual and hybrid teams - being a leader for your people and leading your own life Find more benchmarks and content on www.stepahead.pro Join the other listeners and stay a step ahead! Monika Chutnik

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