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Gregory Gray

Presents a letter to the editor of 'Training & Development' journal on training courses offered by companies during the same period when conferences sponsored by the American Society for Training and Development are being held.

Timing Is Everything - Letter to the Editor

I was raised in Utah, where a cultural aversion to hard conversations often exists. People value harmony, so hard truths are sometimes softened to the point of marshmallow-like meaninglessness. Other cultures across the US—and throughout the world—have similar aversions.But I’ve learned that avoiding necessary conversations doesn’t preserve relationships—it erodes them. The challenge is not whether to have a conversation, but how to do so in a way that aligns with cultural values. Here’s how you can navigate this.Start With Warmth, Then Add CandorIn cultures that prize politeness, the key to effective conversations is blending truth with warmth. Start with a statement that affirms the relationship before raising the concern. Instead of jumping straight into the problem, say something like:“I really value working with you, and I want to make sure we’re both set up for success. I’ve noticed something I’d love to get your thoughts on.”This approach signals that your intent is not to attack but to strengthen the relationship.Lean On Shared ValuesIn cultures that place a high value on hospitality, kindness, and community, frame your concerns in a way that aligns with these values. For example:“Our team is important to me, and I want to make sure we’re supporting each other as a team. I think if we talk about this openly, we can find a solution that works for everyone.”When you connect the conversation to what people already care about, it feels less like conflict and more like collaboration.Respect the DanceIn some cultures, conversations are direct and quick. In others, they are more like a dance—gradual, measured, full of subtle cues. People may circle the issue before approaching it directly, testing the waters with humor, shared stories, or indirect hints. If you push too hard or move too quickly, it can feel like stepping on toes—disrupting the rhythm of the exchange. If the person you’re speaking with prefers a slower, more indirect approach, let them set the pace. Give them space to process.Silence isn’t always withdrawal—it’s often respect. By honoring the natural flow of the conversation, you make it more likely that both of you will stay engaged, rather than retreating into politeness or passive resistance.Remember: Kindness Without Honesty Isn’t KindnessMany people equate kindness with avoiding hard conversations. But real kindness isn’t about keeping the peace at all costs—it’s about caring enough to address issues before they grow into resentment. The most respectful thing you can do is to be clear in a way that preserves dignity.I have a colleague who grew up in the Deep South. She told me that in her family, disagreeing openly was considered a sign of bad manners. As she got older, she realized something—when people didn’t speak up, problems festered. Relationships suffered. And when someone did finally say something, it often came out in an explosion of long-suppressed frustration.She learned that being honest didn’t have to mean being harsh. She found ways to be clear and warm.Caring isn’t about avoiding crucial conversations. It’s about having them in a way that respects both the relationship and the truth. And when you do that, you’re not just honoring cultural norms—you’re elevating them. 

How to Respect Cultural Differences in Crucial Conversations

(Alexandria, VA) November 16, 2021—The Association for Talent Development (ATD) announces the release of a groundbreaking volume that provides critical and core information for talent development (TD) and training professionals working in the healthcare industry. Edited by talent development and healthcare experts Gregory Rider, Jacqueline Burandt, and Niranjani Chidamber Papavaritis, ATD Talent Development and Training in Healthcare Handbook (November 2021) explores the key areas of training within healthcare to promote organizational and employee success. Rather than presenting training as a short-term fix, the handbook shares guidance about using talent development and training as a long-term strategy for overall organizational and health systems accomplishment.Recognizing the dearth of resources for talent development and training initiatives and efforts specific to the healthcare industry, in 2019, ATD began exploring how to create a comprehensive compendium that would offer talent development and training professionals in the healthcare industry foundational and advanced information about how to improve their health systems and organizations, the care they provide their patients, and the support they provide to one another. The result is ATD Talent Development and Training in Healthcare Handbook.“As the world’s leading association dedicated to those who develop talent in organizations, ATD is deeply committed to ensuring practitioners have the tools and resources they need to drive organizational impact in every industry,” states Tony Bingham, president and CEO of ATD. “We are excited to present this first-ever resource for the healthcare industry and are grateful to all the editors and thought leaders who contributed to it. We look forward to seeing its application and impact and to continuing our work with TD professionals in healthcare.”Talent development professionals in healthcare go by many titles such as preceptor, clinical trainer, clinical nurse specialist, nurse educator, learning or performance consultant, director of training or HR, and IT trainer. Regardless of their titles, all practitioners have a universal need to find resources quickly. As one of the few resources in this space, this book is a comprehensive and evergreen resource designed for all TD professionals in healthcare, whether they are new to the field or seasoned practitioners.While training, learning, and development are important to the success of any organization, they are crucial to health systems. TD professionals in healthcare are distinct from those in other industries because the demands and requirements of healthcare are different from those in fields like finance, IT, or retail. It is particularly challenging in the healthcare field to build effective cross-collaboration and teamwork while ensuring that professionals and organizations remain compliant in this highly regulated industry. Employees in healthcare-provider spaces are typically siloed within their own territory, as practitioners work with patients, directors lead departments, and executives run the overall business. Talent development professionals and trainers, however, work with every department, specialty area, and employee in a health system. They are often the key to fostering effective teamwork, collaboration, and compliance, while handling employee career advancement and bringing the business together as a whole. Without training, practitioners may remain stagnant in their roles, and health systems may not thrive to keep up with the ever-evolving industry. Professionals in all aspects of healthcare (clinical and nonclinical) must work together and side-by-side to deliver the highest quality care and best stakeholder experience. In the most extreme cases, improper or nonexistent training can severely affect patient care.About the EditorsGregory Rider is director of corporate compliance for EmblemHealth in New York City and the tristate area. Jacqueline Burandt is president of Award-Winning Results and formerly led the Center for Learning Excellence at University Health in San Antonio, Texas. Niranjani Chidamber Papavaritis is the project manager for healthcare training content at the Association for Talent Development.About ATD and ATD PressThe Association for Talent Development (ATD) is the world’s largest association dedicated to those who develop talent in organizations. ATD’s members come from more than 120 countries and work in public and private organizations in every industry sector. ATD Press publications are written by industry thought leaders and offer anyone who works with adult learners the best practices, academic theory, and guidance necessary to move the profession forward. For more information, visit td.org/books.ATD Talent Development and Training in Healthcare HandbookISBN: 9781952157561 | 602 Pages | Hardcoverhttps://www.td.org/product/book--atd-talent-development-and-training-in-healthcare-handbook/112114To order books from ATD Press, call 800.628.2783.To schedule an interview with the editors, please contact Kay Hechler, ATD Press senior marketing manager, at khechler@td.org or 703.683.8178.

Talent Development and Training Is a Long-Term Strategy for Organizational and Systems Success in the Healthcare Industry

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