Reframing for Resilience, Dr. Frank Douglas sits down with Allison Mairena, VP of People at New Globe

Reframe for Resilience

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Reframing for Resilience, I sit down with Allison Mairena, the VP of People at New Globe, who shares her fascinating journey from studying languages to becoming a leader in international HR and people management. Allison talks about her experiences working across diverse cultures—from China to Sub-Saharan Africa and India—and how these environments have shaped her approach to communication, leadership, and cultural adaptability. We explore the nuances of navigating high-context and low-context cultures, fostering inclusion, and learning from hierarchical and egalitarian team dynamics. Alison also offers her wisdom on managing stress, balancing work-life challenges, and the importance of vulnerability and self-awareness in leadership.

Timeline Summary:

[2:11] - Allison’s unique path from studying languages to becoming a VP of People

[6:30] - Insights on transitioning from teaching in Beijing to HR roles in Shanghai

[12:45] - Navigating communication across high-context and low-context cultures

[17:20] - Using The Culture Map by Erin Meyer as a resource for understanding cultural differences

[24:10] - Balancing egalitarian and hierarchical team structures in international organizations

[30:52] - The power of self-awareness, vulnerability, and asking for help

[37:15] - Allison’s three key lessons for handling stress and fostering resilience

Links & Resources:

• The Culture Map by Erin Meyer

Closing Remarks:

Thank you for tuning in to this inspiring conversation with Allison Mairena! Her insights remind us of the power of resilience and cultural awareness in both personal and professional settings. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, and share it with others who might find it helpful. See you next time on Reframing for Resilience!