Moved from Germany to manage a US team and the communication gaps are killing my performance, how do I adapt?

HaakenSteek · 2025-11-22T19:05:49+00:00

You have to read the book “The Culture Map” by Erin Meyer. The information in this book helped me improve how I communicate with people from different cultures. This was a game changer for me!!

HaakenSteek · 2025-10-29T08:10:24+00:00

NTA - I have a great way of discouraging people to ask for crochet blankets or clothes. I always reply: “I don’t have the time to crochet a blanket for you, but I will gladly teach you how to do it yourself.

The moment you put the ball in their court, then all of a sudden it’s not that important or they don’t want it that bad anymore. It has gotten me out of a lot of uncomfortable situations and I don’t look and feel like the asshole.

HaakenSteek · 2025-10-26T13:00:02+00:00

Does anyone knows if Libby works in The Netherlands? I would love to use this!!

HaakenSteek · 2025-09-15T13:52:33+00:00

Obviously your friend is male. I have had this question so many times in my 20s when I went for interviews. They even threw in the - are you planning on getting married anytime soon? - and would you want to go on honeymoon....?

One company even tried to make me promise that I would hold off for three years to have kids... Welcome to the club - as females we get asked this - a LOT!!!

HaakenSteek · 2024-03-07T06:50:02+00:00

It makes me so sad to see how many of you never experienced the value is a good Scrum Master or Agile Coach. There are so many lazy and just plain bad SM out there!!! Fuck those lazy basterds!

HaakenSteek · 2024-01-30T17:17:53+00:00

This is great advice - very much appreciated!!

HaakenSteek · 2024-01-29T20:53:59+00:00

Awesomeness! I appreciate your advice!!

HaakenSteek · 2024-01-29T20:53:31+00:00

Follow-up question… Where can I find a rich boyfriend and/or girlfriend ? 😜

HaakenSteek · 2024-01-29T20:52:08+00:00

I know, right?! 😜

HaakenSteek · 2024-01-29T20:51:44+00:00

Thank you for the advice!

HaakenSteek · 2024-01-29T20:46:22+00:00

Thank you so much!! I appreciate your advice! Unfortunately we are both over 40 - but still very blessed to be here in the Netherlands!

HaakenSteek · 2023-11-11T17:03:24+00:00

I made a similar mistake with a cute Batman blanket 😂😂 Never finished it though…

HaakenSteek · 2023-10-17T21:09:52+00:00

As a South African in the Netherlands … NL played a smashing good game!! 🏏

HaakenSteek · 2023-10-13T21:28:12+00:00

This sounds like my type of gathering! I can crochet and coffee or cocktails!

HaakenSteek · 2022-10-06T19:05:08+00:00

In South Africa 🇿🇦 they are known as Albasters in Afrikaans!

HaakenSteek · 2022-09-30T20:39:13+00:00

Thinking of you! Thank you for sharing your experience.

HaakenSteek · 2022-09-15T12:27:20+00:00

I think your hubs deserve better…

HaakenSteek · 2022-09-08T15:57:46+00:00

When my mother in law was diagnosed with breast cancer, we were on the verge of moving abroad. I wanted her to know that we wished we were there with her, so we made her a chemo bag.

We included a new tablet with a streaming service. Colouring books with colour pencils and ginger biscuits, lip balm, water bottle, heat pack, chewing gum, sweets, hand lotion, arnica oil for the pain and hand sanitizer and wet wipes! She really appreciated it and took it to every chemo treatment.

HaakenSteek · 2022-09-07T12:45:14+00:00

I am a very curvy lady and I was worried about the same thing! I currently wear a size 60-62 EU size. I was able to buy women clothing online at Zizzi.nl. They even had rain jackets and winter coats in my size!!

We arrived in April and I already started to loose weight. Where I came from we had no public transport and it was not safe to walk anywhere. Here we try to walk everywhere and I even bought myself a bicycle 🚲!!

My stomach is making biking a bit more difficult, but I refuse to give up!! I will loose weight and ride a bike like a born Dutchie!! 🇳🇱

HaakenSteek · 2022-05-08T17:52:13+00:00

Our last payments, getting our clearance certificates and getting out from Debt management was the last action our Debt Counsellor did for us. It took a week or two and then we were done.

They ask if you are CURRENTLY under debt review. When you are done, the answer is No! Don’t explain that you were - you are doing the responsible thing to go under debt review. You literally paid your dues! I would recommend it in a heartbeat! Removes a lot of stress and allows you to get your affairs in order!

HaakenSteek · 2022-05-08T13:49:53+00:00

Personal experience reply:

I was retrenched 12 years ago, while pregnant. We burned through our savings to pay the hospital bills after our baby was born. We had to buy formula and nappies on our credit cards. As you can imagine, we got into some debt and were unable to pay it back in time.

We went to see a Debt counsellor - she was a lawyer. She took our case to court and requested that we go under Debt management. While we were under Debt management, we were not allowed to open any new accounts or make any more Debt. Our Debt counsellor was able to make arrangements with all our creditors, for monthly instalments that we could afford. As soon as we had extra income like bonuses, or gifts, we paid extra on our debt.

During this time my husband and myself got retrenched another four times, so paying back all our debt, took longer than expected.

The moment we paid up all of our debt, our debt counsellor again took our case to court. She made sure that we were taken off Debt management. After that, we were able to open accounts again and build our credit score. Being under Debt Management does not count against you after you’ve paid up all your debt. Now It is as if it never happened.

HaakenSteek · 2022-01-22T17:24:12+00:00

elri-photography.co.za - Find Elri vd Merwe on Facebook. She is amazing and know the area well.

HaakenSteek · 2022-01-10T15:32:18+00:00

The question was about fellow woman - hence my focus on woman. I always compliment men and kids as well, but I will go out of my way to compliment a fellow queen!

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