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CECILIA LUI
Founder & Director, ILIA Connect
Increasing the Effectiveness of our Messages in a Post-Pandemic World, Speaking up Selectively, Skillfully, Strategically
In our post-pandemic environment, speaking up seems to be an increasingly global trend - driven by health and safety concerns, social and justice movements, rapid change of the world of works, and the opportunities of virtual working environments in message amplification.
The speed of change in our environment on many things led us to reflect on the need to stand up for what matters for personal and collective responsibilities. These create urges on us, including those who played longstanding roles of bystanders, to express our dissatisfactions on issues not only impacting ourselves but also on behalf of those who lack abilities to do so.
As we continue to navigate the complexities of the post-pandemic world, the act of speaking up remains an essential tool to facilitate positive change while building inclusive and just environments. Advocating and encouraging ourselves and others on speaking up takes mindfulness, skills, and considerate thoughts on our approaches while also developing courage to keep going.
Cecilia will share her own journey of Speaking Up from her international and multicultural background, as well her observations in our current diverse and complex global environment and reflect how we can better show up, step up, and strategically plan our speak-up tactics
Speaker Bio
I bring 3 decades of cross-sector,  international and multidisciplinary experience across industries from  Canada & the APAC.  During my Communications career in Asia  (2001-2020), and the journey of reconnecting with my roots, I gained  tremendous insights into the role cultural understanding plays in many  communication & relationship challenges across the workplace,  society and in our own backyards. A  Canadian immigrant since a young age, my bicultural upbringing has  gifted me with the experience and knowledge to apply my cultural  perspectives on all disciplines of my work to support others in bridging  the gaps of understanding in their transitions and adjustment to their  new environments - relocation and working across cultures, joining new  workplaces, or transitioning to new careers. As a consultant, a  corporate trainer, coach, mentor & educator, my work involves the  intersectionality of People, Culture & Communication. As  a trainer and conference presenter, I have taken my work to Taiwan,  Macau, China, Malaysia, Japan, Canada, US, UK, Spain & virtually to  France, Africa, India & the Middle-East. Communication  is an art, and all things in life (including how we lead or parent) is  achieved by some form of communication, words or behavior, verbal or non  verbal.  Intercultural competence supports our efforts in bridging the  gaps of understanding across all forms of differences. How are  you, your employees and your organization Showing Up, Stepping Up,  Speaking Up for professional and organizational success?