TAP-EDM / PAT-MDE’s Post

Over the past six weeks abroad, I’ve had a transformative experience that involved both working at the 14th National Summit for Courageous Conversations about Race in Chicago, and supporting Emirates Team New Zealand in defending and retaining the America's Cup in Barcelona. It was an extraordinary time, and one of reflection and personal reset. As I prepare to return to a politically charged Aotearoa, I am mindful of the exhaustion, pain, anger, and unresolved struggles that many in my community face. I’m feeling nervously curious about the immediate future albeit remain motivated to fully embody Te Tiriti o Waitangi in my life as Tangata Whenua. Does anyone else find themselves experiencing a mix of emotions? Another realisation that emerged during this time is the need to confront and reassess the incomplete perspectives I’ve held about others, which were shaped by unexamined assumptions. For instance, I recently engaged in conversations with individuals whom I would have previously avoided due to preconceived notions that had created unnecessary barriers between us. These assumptions were largely based on an entrenched belief that Team New Zealand represented a colonising, capitalist, white, and sexist space only—an oversimplified narrative that I had accepted without question. While there is validity to these critiques, as there is in sectors like education, justice, and health, they do not represent the complete picture. I am grateful for my interactions with team members, whose stories and perspectives challenged my previous views. These exchanges included a team member’s journey with te reo Māori, others’ visions for an Aotearoa rooted in shared values drawn from te ao Māori, and discussions about the collective struggle to overcome ignorance and pursue transformation. I also heard reflections on the necessity of being present in spaces to effect meaningful change, despite the tensions this entails, and about efforts to support mana whenua through sustainable initiatives, such as research on hydrogen power and resistance to deep-sea drilling. To maintain a balanced outlook, I remind myself of the inherent contradictions we all navigate, whether we are critically aware of them or not. This perspective has lightened my mindset, allowing me to return home ready to engage as Tangata Whenua within an ever-present Te Tiriti context, without the defensiveness that at times, tried to sneak into my approach. I didn’t anticipate finding such a gift in my experience with Team New Zealand. It feels liberating to accept this complexity. Ps- Here is my whānau standing with the Auld Mug at the team celebration. I'm especially proud of my husband who fuelled the team these last couple of years with clean and delicious kai. [His Stuff interview from a few weeks ago is also here...sorry not sorry dear]. https://lnkd.in/eBtqEdBZ

I learned about (what we now call) inclusion and high-performance teams in the international community. As you travel abroad you are in the minority (Japan, Fiji, Singapore, KL, Korea, etc) and learn to see that as an opportunity, not a curse. Of course, it is a sacrifice, and you get used to never getting used to the hotel rooms, but like anything in life you can (and should) learn from it. Life is good, and we learn how to be more human, the more we can see others that way. #strategicthinking

❓ Have you ever wondered what it is Team Finland Norway actually does? 👉 We are here to provide concrete assistance to companies in their export efforts in Norway. #TeamFinland #Norway #ExportPromotion #TradePromotion

🇩🇰🇸🇪 Celebrating National Days and Embracing Diversity! 🇩🇰🇸🇪 Today, we celebrate Denmark's National Day, and tomorrow, we join our Swedish colleagues in honoring Sweden's Flag Day. Working in an international company as Zacco - 360° Intellectual Property, we have the unique opportunity to embrace and celebrate the diverse cultures and traditions that each of us brings to the table. Last week was particularly enriching as Mille Bülow Verndal and I had the pleasure of bringing together colleagues from Denmark, Sweden and India. These interactions highlighted the beauty of our diverse workplace and the immense value that comes from sharing different perspectives. Here are a few learnings from these interactions: 1. **Cultural Insights:** Understanding the nuances of our work cultures has broadened my perspective and it will improve our collaboration. 2. **Innovative Solutions:** Diverse viewpoints often lead to creative solutions. Our discussions led to innovative ideas that I wouldn't have thought of alone. 3. **Strengthened Bonds:** Celebrating our differences and learning from one another has strengthened our team's bond and built a more inclusive work environment. As we celebrate these national days, let's continue to honor and learn from the rich tapestry of cultures within our global team. Embracing diversity isn't just about acknowledging different national days—it's about integrating the best of each culture into our everyday work life. …. And now I just hope that Denmark will beat Sweden in the football match currently being played ⚽️ #Diversity #Inclusion #NationalDays #InternationalCompany #Teamwork #Learning #Denmark #Sweden #India #CelebrateDiversity #Ipservices

Celebrating International Men’s Day I'm proud to support the International Men’s Day celebrations at British Gas Business, championed by the Better Together D&I group. I was asked to write an article for the occasion. I’ve been with Centrica for just over a month as a Change Delivery Manager, joining through the Athlete’s Pathway. My role focuses on implementing regulatory change within BGB, and I particularly enjoy collaborating with teams, improving processes, and working on sustainable energy projects that create meaningful impacts. Before joining Centrica, I had the privilege of competing in six Paralympic Games, which taught me resilience, leadership, and the power of teamwork—values I continue to bring into my work and life. What does International Men’s Day mean to me? For me, it’s a time to reflect on the challenges men face today, such as societal pressures around masculinity and mental health. It’s also about celebrating the strength found in vulnerability, resilience, and the ability to lift others up. Support from friends and family has been key to navigating life’s challenges, reminding me that opening up isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength. This day is a reminder to honour diverse expressions of masculinity and the importance of being empathetic, supportive, and authentic. Top 3 Mental Health Tips Reflect Daily: Take 5 minutes for journaling or deep breathing to check in with yourself. Build a Support Network: Stay connected with friends or mentors—you’re never alone. Prioritise Physical Health: Exercise, good sleep, and balanced nutrition are foundational to well-being. Let’s celebrate the positive contributions men bring while continuing to champion mental health and inclusion for all. #InternationalMensDay #BetterTogether #MentalHealthMatters #Leadership #Resilience

Facts:

Norway does business SO differently than US/Canada 🇺🇸🇳🇴 Here are things I've noticed from my Nordic friends. 👉 America: We only care about market share. 👉 Norway: They care for their employees deeply. 👉 America: Dictatorial leadership & management. 👉 Norway: Large decisions made via group decision. 👉 America: Profit margins over everything (except growth) 👉 Norway: Ethics and sustainability are paramount. 👉 America: Cutthroat competition and chicanery. 👉 Norway: Collaborative and communicative. 👉 America: Risk-taking zealots at the cutting edge. 👉 Norway: Calculated and cautious in shipping products. Now I'd say Canada is somewhat of a mix between these two cultures - depending on proximity to a big city. Both work --> It all boils down to your personality traits. Did I miss anything? #norway #globalbusiness #internationalbusiness

Our "least international" clients are the Aussies 🇦🇺 , Italians 🇮🇹 and Spaniards 🇪🇸 We ranked 150 clients, here is where the most / least international business development strategies came from: BEST IN CLASS 😎 #1 Germans 🇩🇪 100% of our German clients are running international campaigns #2 Brits 85% 🇬🇧 #3 Singaporeans 80% 🇸🇬 AVERAGE PERFORMERS ✅ #4 French 65% 🇫🇷 #5 Swiss 60%🇨🇭 BELOW AVERAGE 😕 #6 Belgians 41% 🇧🇪 #7 Kiwis 40% 🇳🇿 NEEDS IMPROVEMENT 🚨 #8 Italians at 26% 🇮🇹 #9 Spaniards at 20% 🇪🇸 #10 Aussies at 18% 🇦🇺 I don't have an analysis of the reasons yet but here are some thoughts: - 100% of our Germany-based clients have an international strategy, biz dev kaisers 👑 - UK: opportunistic and ambitious, as always. No surprise here. - Singapore: that was expected given their local market size - French: doing surprisingly good although our accent is as good as our humility - Swiss and Belgian: I imagined them doing better due to their great language skills, small markets and openness - Spanish and Italians: is it just the language barrier or are there other reasons? - Aussies: at first, absolutely shocked by the number! But then... is it not expected given their relative geographical isolation and the lack of competitiveness re labour costs? Do you have any explanation for this ranking?

A meeting for 7 offices, in 7 countries, across different time zones? No problem! Yesterday, we successfully connected Poland, Mexico, Denmark, China, Panama, USA and Brazil to celebrate together at the same event! • Office tours across all locations • Cultural diversity training – how to collaborate globally • Celebrating with local treats from each country! 🌮🥨🍜 That’s how it’s done in an international team! #GlobalTeam #CulturalDiversity #CollaborationWithoutBorders”