Simia, an agile consultancy with a global reach, collaborates with colleagues and partners from diverse regions including Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, South Africa, Serbia, the UK, and Ireland.
This team diversity has provided us with invaluable insights and perspectives, particularly in designing and delivering immersive workshops across Southeast Asia. Here we’d like to highlight three key areas where diversity has significantly impacted our work: enhancing problem-solving abilities, building inclusive learning environments, and enhancing professional growth.
Enhanced Problem-Solving Abilities
A diverse team brings a wealth of experiences, perspectives, and skills that enhance our problem-solving capabilities. This diversity allows us to approach challenges from multiple angles, drawing on a wide range of knowledge and experiences.
Cultural Nuance in Content Delivery in Malaysia – During a workshop in Malaysia, a local team member suggested modifying a case study example to better resonate with the audience. They recognised that a case involving local businesses would be more relatable and engaging than an international example. This adjustment not only improved participant engagement but also demonstrated cultural sensitivity, making the content more relevant and impactful.
Challenge Management in Singapore – During a Singapore workshop, when a planned activity failed to engage participants, a team member with a background in improvisational techniques proposed a spontaneous group exercise. This quick thinking revitalised the session, turning potential disengagement into an interactive and energetic experience. It showcased the team’s ability to adapt and respond to the audience’s needs effectively.

Building Inclusive and Empathetic Learning Environments
Creating an inclusive and empathetic learning environment is essential for the success of our workshops. An inclusive environment ensures that all participants feel welcomed, respected, and valued, regardless of their background or personal experiences.
Language Inclusion in Indonesia – For a virtual adventure training in Indonesia, we recognised the linguistic diversity of participants. To ensure everyone could participate fully, we to partnered with facilitators who could leverage their language skills to make the training accessible and inclusive, allowing all participants to engage equally.
Cultural Sensitivity in Cross-Divisional Groups in Malaysia – In workshops with cross-divisional groups in Malaysia, our team was mindful of the diverse cultural backgrounds. For instance, a team member highlighted that schedule for the day would like it difficult for some participants to perform their midday prayers comfortably. This awareness led to adjustments in our workshop content, ensuring a respectful and inclusive environment for all participants.
Professional Growth and Development
Working within a diverse team provides significant professional growth opportunities for us as facilitators and training designers. Exposure to a variety of perspectives and ways of working broadens our understanding and approach to training.
Cross-Cultural Communication for Senior Leaders Across APAC – Facilitating workshops for senior leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region, our team gained valuable insights into cross-cultural communication. We learned to navigate and respect different communication styles and non-verbal cues, which varied significantly across cultures. This experience enhanced our ability to connect with participants from diverse backgrounds and strengthened our facilitation skills.
Partnering with Women-Led Startups in Myanmar – As part of the Simia Social Fund we have had the privilege of working with women-led startups in Myanmar provided us with unique insights into gender-specific challenges and opportunities. Collaborating with these entrepreneurs, we developed insights on their specific needs and challenges. This experience not only broadened our understanding of gender dynamics in the business world but also reinforced the importance of creating supportive and empowering learning environments.
Learning New Facilitation Techniques – Partnering and working with colleagues from various educational traditions introduced us to new methods of engagement, such as storytelling, interactive technology, and experiential learning techniques. This diversity of approaches allowed us to experiment and refine our facilitation methods, making our workshops more dynamic and effective for a wide range of audiences.
In summary
Reflecting on our experiences working with a diverse team in Southeast Asia, bringing together global perspectives, it’s clear that diversity not only enriches our own professional development but also significantly enhances the quality and effectiveness of our workshops. The enhanced problem-solving abilities, commitment to building inclusive learning environments, and opportunities for professional growth collectively strengthen our work. Additionally, facing and overcoming positive challenges, such as accommodating linguistic diversity and working with women-led startups, has helped us grow as a team and improve our delivery. By embracing diversity, we are better equipped to meet the needs of our participants and deliver impactful training experiences.