Erin Meyer on Intercultural Leadership

Tuesday 17 March 2026

What’s really going on here? Understanding the invisible forces behind intercultural collaboration

A colleague who never speaks up
A meeting that goes in circles without decisions
A joke that doesn’t land

Working across cultures can be unexpectedly tricky. Whether you’re doing business internationally, managing a multicultural team, or working with clients and colleagues from different backgrounds, cultural differences play a crucial role.

Often in ways you don’t even see.

In this hands-on seminar, INSEAD professor Erin Meyer will help you understand and use hidden cultural patterns in communication, leadership, feedback and collaboration:

How to prevent “yes” from actually meaning “no”
How to give feedback that resonates across cultures
How to build trust: through results or relationships
How to adapt without losing your own values

With practical examples and plenty of interaction, you’ll learn how to turn cultural confusion into clarity. You will lead with more confidence, empathy, and impact across cultures.

Tickets >>

Your takeaways

A sharper eye for cultural signals – and how to respond wisely
More influence in conversations, collaborations and negotiations
A flexible leadership style that works across cultures
The ability to give feedback that lands well – anywhere
Practical tools for avoiding friction and building trust

And above all: the confidence to lead diverse teams with real impact.

For who? For you!

This seminar is for anyone who works in or with cultural diversity. Whether you lead a global team, manage people with different cultural backgrounds, or collaborate across borders – this is for you.

It’s just as relevant if your team is based in one country but includes people with different cultural roots. Because even without passports involved, culture shapes how we speak up, give feedback, lead, and follow.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why is this person reacting like that?” This session will give you answers, clarity, and tools to lead with more impact.

Erin Meyer and Buffi Duberman

€ 995,00 excl. 21% VAT

6 PE-uren More info

Program

08:00 Registration

09:30 Start seminar

17:00 Closing and reception

Block 1 – Communicating Across Cultures (09:30 – 11:00)

Are you saying what you mean – and is it landing the way you think?

What feels “clear” in one culture may come across as rude, vague, or overly blunt in another. This session helps you understand how culture shapes communication and how to adjust your style without losing authenticity.

You’ll learn:

How ‘Dutch directness’ may land in other cultures
How to prevent “yes” from actually meaning “no”
How to give feedback that resonates across cultures
How to talk about how you communicate – instead of making assumptions

Block 2 – Leading Across Cultures (11:30 – 13:00)

What kind of leader are you – and how is that perceived?

There’s no such thing as a universal leadership style. What works in the Netherlands might fail in other cultural contexts. This session gives you practical insight into how leadership is perceived culturally – and how to navigate it effectively.

You’ll learn:

Why your coaching approach may come across as weak
How to build trust: through results or relationships
How to spot cultural friction in your leadership
How to unlock the strengths of a diverse team

Block 3 – Culture Mapping: bringing it all together (14:00 – 15:30)

From insight to impact: build your own Culture Map

This block brings everything together. You’ll map out your team or organization’s cultural dynamics, identify friction points and hidden gaps – and turn them into a strategic advantage.

You’ll learn:

How to map cultural gaps and where collaboration breaks down
How to make culture discussable – without making it personal
How to adapt without losing your own values
How to lead a team where everyone feels seen and empowered

Guest lecture – Oops did I say THAT? (16:00 – 17:00)

How small language slips can cause big misunderstandings

English is the go-to language for global business but it’s also a minefield. One wrong word, and your message turns into a joke. Buffi Duberman shares the funniest, cringiest, and most common mistakes non-natives make – and how to avoid them with flair.