Wandering Into Wisdom

This blog chronicles the knowledge, insight and wisdom I encounter every day as a leadership consultant, executive coach, educator, father, friend and citizen. This site is dedicated to my father, Louis (Jack) Laughlin, who passed on to me an appreciation for wisdom. A special thanks to my friend Isaac Cheifetz, a businessman and journalist, who helped me understand the value of blogs and encouraged me to write one.

Cultural Adaptation

Many of us feel like we are on a roller coaster when we are in the process of adapting to another culture.  We might be very excited at first but, when the newness wears off, we begin to feel uncomfortable, confused, and maybe downright stressed out.  It turns out that there is a well documented cycle that people usually go through when adjusting to a new culture.  How long each stage takes and the level of discomfort varies but the process is very similar for each of us.  It takes time to develop an understanding of the differences and discomfort presented by a new culture and go though the process of accepting those differences and developing strategies to deal with them effectively.  Preparing for the shock of a new culture and finding resources to help with the adaptation process can make all the difference.  Contact us if you'd like to know more.