Michael Soon Lee, Ph.D., CSP: Michael has been a cross-cultural consultant and speaker for over 30 years. He has spoken over 1,000 times around the world to companies like: Coca-Cola, Chevron, General Motors, State Farm Insurance, Boeing, Charles Schwab and many others. Dr. Lee is also the author of nine books including: “Overcoming Differences To Improve Your Life”, “Cross-Cultural Selling for Dummies”, and “Black Belt Negotiating”. He was the first Asian American to earn the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation in the history of the National Speakers Association.
Partial List Of Clients
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Allen Edwin Homes Alticor, Inc. Azamara Club Cruises Big 50 Remodeling Conference Boeing Building Remodelers’ Conference Building Systems Council CTX Mortgage California Association of Realtors Cedars Sinai Hospital Certified Residential Specialists Charles Schwab Chevron City of Napa Coca-Cola Colorado Association of Realtors Credit Union Executives Society Drees Homes Engle Homes Executive Knowledge – New Zealand Farm Bank Ferris State University First American Title Company General Motors Grand Homes Mastermind Remodelers’ Conference Missouri Association of Realtors |
National Association of Broadcasters National Association of Home Builders National Association of Music Merchants National Association of Realtors New Jersey Association of Realtors New York University Oracle Corporation Owens Corning Pardee Homes Pepperdine University Prudential Real Estate Renewal By Andersen Shea Homes Slifer, Smith & Frampton Realtors Square Deal Builders’ Conference State Farm Insurance Texas Association of Realtors The National Association of Boat Dealers The University of Wisconsin, Whitewater The Wisconsin Governor’s Conference Virginia Tech University Weiss Homes Wisconsin Association of Realtors Women’s Council of Realtors |
WE’RE ALL AFRAID OF DIFFERENCES
We are all afraid of differences which are called “unconscious biases”. For example, some of us are scared of snakes or dogs. Similarly, some of us are afraid of people who are mentally handicapped or of a different race. If you think you don’t have any hidden prejudices go to: https://implicit.harvard.edu and take one of their social attitude quizzes. I think you’ll be very surprised.
FEAR OF DIFFERENCES HOLDS US BACK
If you have a boss who’s of a different gender, age, or ethnic background you might not be able to relate to him or her very well. If you could overcome your differences, you might get the raise or promotion you want. If you could relate better to your clients or customers your sales would likely increase. If you could get past your fear of members of the opposite sex, your relationships will probably improve. These are just a few examples of how fear of differences holds us back.
HOW CAN WE OVERCOME EXTERNAL DIFFERENCES?
The first thing we notice when we meet a stranger is their gender and then their race. Instead of worrying about your differences, try to find something in common. If it’s hot, talk about the weather. If you’re at a meeting, ask what’s the one thing they want to get out of it. Most importantly, listen carefully to what they say, and you’ll find that underneath the initial differences you see on the outside, they have similar goals and desires as you on the inside.