Dr. Efrain Serrano | Cross Cultural Engineering Management, Recognition, & 1:1s

What this episode covers

Dr. Efrain Serrano, Director of Engineering at Edwards Lifesciences, discusses his PhD research on managing cross-cultural teams, specifically expatriates in the Dominican Republic and US-based managers leading diverse workforces. He explains that low success rates for expats stem from inadequate cultural training and family adaptation issues, advocating for active listening and verbal recognition as key management strategies. Serrano details his personal time management techniques, including limiting daily tasks to five priorities and minimizing meetings, which he used to complete his doctorate while working full-time. The conversation highlights the importance of attitude in hiring and the role of family support in achieving professional goals.