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About this Episode:

In this episode of The Transformative Leader Podcast, I’m happy to bring you a conversation with cross-cultural relations expert, Laura Kriska, in which she shares an abundance of wisdom on what it takes for us to create a “We“ culture and bridge the divide among people in the workplace and society at large. In this insightful discussion with a fascinating guest, Laura also shares practical tips on the mindset and behaviors leaders can take on to create a culture of inclusiveness for all.

Laura Kriska is an internationally recognized expert and leading consultant on cross-cultural relations with more than 30 years of experience bridging gaps in diverse workplaces. She has worked with Fortune 500 companies on four continents, helping thousands of business leaders and professionals build trust across Us versus Them differences based on nationality, ethnicity, race, religion, age, or any factor of identity.

Born in Tokyo to missionary parents, Laura was raised in a white suburban community in Ohio, surrounded by people who looked, sounded, and prayed like she did. Thanks to her parents’ adventurous spirit, she grew up with a fascination for different cultures and a strong attachment to Japan. During college, she spent a year studying in Tokyo and learning to speak the language. After receiving her BA in Japanese Studies from Denison University, she began her career in Japan. She was the first American woman to work in Honda Motor Company’s Tokyo headquarters, as an assistant to a senior executive. This experience is the basis of her first book, The Accidental Office Lady.

A sought-out lecturer and a TEDx speaker, Kriska is widely considered an authority on inclusion and cultural integration. She regularly speaks to professional and educational groups, including New York’s Japan Society and NYU Stern School of Business, and conducts bilingual and cross-cultural training sessions for clients ranging from Mitsubishi to David Letterman.

Laura Kriska completed the International Studies program at Waseda University in Tokyo and earned an MFA in Writing from Columbia University. She also earned a brown belt in judo from the Kodokan Institute in Tokyo. She currently lives in New York City.

Guest Links:

• Website: laurakriska.com/ businessofwethebook.com

• Book: The Business of We

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laura-kriska-0a93902a/

• Twitter: twitter.com/LauraKriska

• Facebook: facebook.com/LauraKriskaauthor

• Instagram: instagram.com/laurakriska_author/

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