ADVANCING INTO LEADERSHIP FOR CULTURALLY DIVERSE EMPLOYEES
How to Navigate Cultural Expectations and Crack the Cultural Glass Ceiling
FOR TALENTED PROFESSIONALS READY TO BE SEEN AS FUTURE LEADERS
DELIVERY OPTIONS:
PROFESSIONAL COACHING | TRAINING
ENQUIRE NOWHOW TO NAVIGATE CULTURAL EXPECTATIONS AND CRACK THE CULTURAL GLASS CEILING
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Advancing into senior leadership doesn't have to feel intimidating or inauthentic.
As a qualified intercultural business consultant, I'll equip you with the tools to overcome misperceptions about whether you're a good cultural fit.
By the end of this program, you'll be equipped with techniques for adapting your leadership style to meet the unwritten expectations of senior leaders, while staying true to your communication style, no matter your cultural background.
To complement your learning, I’ve included specialised ChatGPT prompts to help you apply intercultural concepts to your own workplace context. These prompts will guide you in refining your leadership and communication style, anticipating cultural perceptions, and practising key phrases with AI-generated feedback.
Choose from any of the following delivery options:
- Professional Coaching (1-on-1 or small groups)
- Team Training (in-person or virtual)
Craig Shim, Alphacrane Intercultural Specialists
ENQUIRE NOWABOUT THIS PROGRAM
OVERVIEW
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This course assists culturally diverse professionals — whether aspiring leaders or those already in leadership roles — in navigating cultural barriers that may impede their progression to senior leadership positions.
It provides actionable insights into adapting leadership styles to meet the unwritten expectations of leadership roles across different cultural contexts.
OBJECTIVE
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Learn how to adapt your leadership style and crack the cultural glass ceiling.
DURATION
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Professional Coaching: Choose from a 2-session or 4-session coaching package (each session is 90 minutes), delivered virtually by qualified intercultural business coach Craig Shim
Team Training: Half-day, full-day or 2-day options
COST
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Professional Coaching (2 × 90-minute virtual sessions):
AUD 2,144 / USD 1,395 / GBP 1,050
Want more time to go deeper, cover additional topics, and get more detailed feedback on your progress? A four-session package is also available – click the ‘Ready to Start?’ button below for full details.
Team Training: From AUD 4,800 (half-day option). Quote available on request
KEY TOPICS
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Understanding the Unwritten Cultural Rules of Leadership
Enhancing Leadership Presence through Communication and Assertiveness
Building Cross-Cultural Trust and Influence with Senior Leaders
WHO THIS PROGRAM IS FOR
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Culturally diverse professionals aiming to transition from technical roles into leadership
Experienced leaders from culturally diverse backgrounds seeking to overcome barriers to senior leadership positions
Employees aiming to understand and navigate senior leadership expectations across different cultural contexts
Organisations and teams committed to supporting culturally diverse talent in their leadership progression
A Note for Australian Government Agencies
This program aligns with the APS Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Employment (CALD) Strategy and Action Plan, supporting your efforts to address the following headline actions:
- Headline Action 2 Cultural Understanding: Build a curated collection of multimedia learning resources. Outcome A: The experience and contributions of CALD employees are shared and reflected in greater intercultural understanding. Outcome B: Our greater intercultural understanding enables us to harness the wealth and depth of expertise available across the APS. Outcome C: Best practice is promoted and collaboratively implemented across the APS.
- Headline Action 3 Leadership and Management: Build APS Leadership through embedding cultural capability training and sponsorship of CALD employees.
- Headline Action 4 Recruitment and Progression: Modernise the APS recruitment and promotion processes to apply a rigorous understanding of merit.
- Headline Action 5 Representation: Reflect the population we serve and throughout the APS to represent diversity cohorts fairly. Outcomes: There is an increase in the pipeline of CALD employees in SES roles, and the APS reflects and respects cultural diversity at all levels.
CHALLENGES ADDRESSED
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I don’t know how to overcome just being seen as technically competent, but not considered as a good future leader.
Despite my leadership experience, I find it challenging to be recognised as senior leadership material within my organisation.
I’m not confident that I’ll be accepted as an equal among leadership peers given I’m from a different cultural background.
I’m unsure what’s an appropriate balance between being diplomatic and being assertive.
ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS
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Identify and overcome cross-cultural barriers that may prevent you from leading projects, seeking mentorship, and effectively communicating your leadership potential.
Position yourself as senior leadership material by navigating dominant expectations while showcasing how your cultural perspective brings fresh leadership strengths to the organisation.
Build confidence by understanding senior leadership norms and networking strategies from a different cultural perspective, while showcasing your unique strengths.
Balance diplomacy and assertiveness by adapting your communication style to different leadership scenarios.
TESTIMONIALS
“I kept getting told I was ‘not quite ready’ — but no one could tell me why.”
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For years I’ve been delivering results as a Principal Policy Advisor, yet never seriously considered for Director-level roles. It was frustrating not knowing what I was doing wrong. This program helped me see how cultural factors were shaping perceptions of my leadership readiness — and what I could do to change the narrative.
— Principal Policy Advisor, Government Regulatory Authority
“I didn’t realise how much I was adapting just to fit in.”
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After being promoted to team leader, I found myself second-guessing how to lead in a way that felt authentic. This course helped me recognise the subtle ways cultural norms were influencing my leadership style — and how to make those differences a strength, not a setback.
— Team Leader, State Government
“This was the first time I felt seen — and understood.”
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I’d been told I had potential, but something always seemed to block my progression. Craig helped me understand how cultural perceptions were shaping the feedback I received, and how to navigate that without compromising who I am. I finally feel like leadership is within reach.
— Client Services Specialist, Global Financial Services Company
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Compare and Choose Between Delivery Options
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PROFESSIONAL COACHING (Click to expand)
TEAM TRAINING (Click to expand)
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PROFESSIONAL COACHING AND TEAM TRAINING
ENQUIRE NOW
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Submit your enquiry by providing a few details in this Enquiry Form, and I'll be in touch as soon as I receive your response.
- I’ll personally review your responses to help customise my reply and next steps.
- You’re not committed to purchase at this stage - this is simply to help me understand how I can best support you.
- If you’re unsure how to answer a question, just type something like "unsure" and continue.
- Your information will be kept confidential and will only be read by me. For more details, please refer to my Privacy Policy
By clicking "Submit" you agree for me to email you at this address with intercultural tips and important updates only. I don't send spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Contact me via the Contact page if you require help.
READY TO GET STARTED?
BOOK NOW
2-SESSION COACHING PACKAGE
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- Two x 90-minute virtual coaching sessions with Craig Shim, qualified intercultural business coach
- 100% tailored to your specific needs and professional context
- Available as one-on-one or small group sessions (up to 6 participants)
4-SESSION COACHING PACKAGE
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- Four x 90-minute virtual coaching sessions with Craig Shim, qualified intercultural business coach
- 100% tailored to your specific needs and professional context
- Available as one-on-one or small group sessions (up to 6 participants)
A QUICK INTRODUCTION: CRAIG SHIM
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As a qualified intercultural business consultant, I specialise in enhancing cross-cultural business and relational skills. Having lived abroad for much of my career before returning to Australia, I've gained valuable insights into how cultural competency is crucial for building strong relationships. Drawing on this experience, I provide coaching, training, and advice to corporate and government clients to boost their cross-cultural capabilities.
My intercultural guidance is trusted by companies like Boeing, Nike, PepsiCo, and Mastercard, as well as the Australian Government and United Nations agencies. I also serve on several advisory panels, including those for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Australian Public Service Commission.
Craig Shim, Director, Alphacrane Intercultural Specialists
