Flex: The New Playbook for Managing Across Differences | Audrey Lee | Talks at Google | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Audrey Lee discusses the importance of flexing, or adapting, leadership styles to effectively work with people from diverse backgrounds and how this can impact career success.

Key Insights

• 💦 Flexing, or adapting leadership styles, is important for effectively working with people from diverse backgrounds.
• ❓ Unconscious biases and stereotypes can create barriers for Asian Americans in the workplace.
• ✊ Understanding the power gap and communication differences can improve career success.

Transcript

FEMALE SPEAKER: All right, everyone. Thank you so much for joining us for this edition of our Authors at Google talk with Audrey Lee. We're excited to have Audrey here to discuss her new book, which she co-authored with Jane Hyun, "Flex", the new playbook for managing across differences. So who is Audrey? Audrey S. Lee is an executive coach and glo... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the concept of "flexing" and how does it relate to managing across differences?

Flexing refers to the ability to switch between leadership styles to effectively work with people who are different from oneself. It involves adapting one's behavior and communication style to bridge the gap between diverse backgrounds and foster effective collaboration.

Q: How do unconscious biases and stereotypes impact the experiences of Asian Americans in the workplace?

Unconscious biases and stereotypes can lead to misconceptions about the career aspirations and leadership potential of Asian Americans. These biases can create barriers to advancement and result in Asian Americans being overlooked for leadership positions.

Q: How can individuals navigate the power gap and communication differences to improve their career success?

Understanding the context and unwritten rules of the workplace is crucial in navigating the power gap. It is important to be visible and be heard, build mentor and sponsor relationships, and adapt communication styles to effectively communicate across different backgrounds.

Q: What can organizations do to promote diversity and inclusivity in the workplace?

Organizations should challenge unconscious biases, promote dialogue about differences, and create a culture that values and integrates the contributions of diverse individuals. They should also provide opportunities for leadership development and advancement for all employees.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Audrey Lee discusses her experiences growing up as a bicultural Asian American and how her cultural values influenced her behavior in the workplace.

• She highlights the changing landscape of the workforce and the importance of diversity in leadership positions.

• Lee emphasizes the need for individuals to understand their own values and narratives, as well as the need to flex and adapt their leadership styles to bridge the gap between different cultures and communication styles.