
This summer we traveled out west. It was an amazing two-week trip that gave our family a chance to unwind and reconnect. We stayed in hotels, condos, and cabin rentals. Our first destination was Steamboat Springs, Colorado. We secured a great condo with great views of the mountains. As we entered the condo, we felt it was pretty warm inside the unit. We thought we’d just turn on the air conditioning to get it cooler. WAIT! WHAT? THERE IS NO A/C! How could this rental NOT have A/C? Sure enough, after searching around, we realized it only had radiant heat, that’s it. The rental site never said it had A/C, we just assumed it did. Though it was 80 degrees, we hadn’t realized yet that in the Colorado climate, it gets down to 50 degrees or lower at night. We realized we needed to open up all the windows to cool down, and by morning, it was cool and comfortable.
We realized this key concept about our assumptions about the A/C, “THAT’S NOT HOW THEY DO IT HERE.” Once we got into the rhythm of opening up the windows when it was cool, there was no need for A/C. The fantastic weather we enjoyed in Colorado allowed us to relax indoors and also experience trails, waterfalls, lakes, and rivers.
When reflecting on this, I began to think about the connection between this experience and making cross-cultural connections, especially when living in a different context. Adjustment can be described as the distance between expectation and reality. Even the simple adjustment to the local climate and the methods of keeping cool became a huge adjustment for our family. We changed, overcame, and enjoyed this adjustment.
Adjusting to a minor A/C issue pales in comparison to the many of the adjustments that I see cross-cultural workers making on a daily basis. Having a coach in your corner to help you process, manage, and overcome these adjustments can make all the difference as you lean forward to make a lasting impact with your target culture.
This is my COACHING FOCUS: I coach leaders to make cross-cultural connections by supporting them as they lean forward in their leadership with clarity, confidence, and consistency resulting in a legacy of lasting impact. Connect more with the coaching I offer, with a special emphasis on making cross-cultural connections at leaningforward.life/coaching Schedule a free Curiosity Call here. Like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram ( Leaning Forward Together ).
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