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

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2022-04-22
- Length: 44m
- Episode: 16
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-04-22-dr-efrain-serrano-cross-cultural-engineering-management-recognition-1-1s
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/efrain-serrano-engineering-management/

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-04-22-dr-efrain-serrano-cross-cultural-engineering-management-recognition-1-1s#t=0) Introduction: Dr. Efrain Serrano and Edwards Lifesciences
- [1:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-04-22-dr-efrain-serrano-cross-cultural-engineering-management-recognition-1-1s#t=85) Career Path: From Aerospace to Medical Devices
- [3:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-04-22-dr-efrain-serrano-cross-cultural-engineering-management-recognition-1-1s#t=232) PhD Research: Cross-Cultural Management in the Dominican Republic
- [6:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-04-22-dr-efrain-serrano-cross-cultural-engineering-management-recognition-1-1s#t=418) Expatriate Challenges: Training and Family Adaptation
- [13:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-04-22-dr-efrain-serrano-cross-cultural-engineering-management-recognition-1-1s#t=822) Management Strategies: Listening and One-on-Ones
- [15:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-04-22-dr-efrain-serrano-cross-cultural-engineering-management-recognition-1-1s#t=949) Cultural Training: Verbal Recognition and Language
- [19:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-04-22-dr-efrain-serrano-cross-cultural-engineering-management-recognition-1-1s#t=1161) Hiring and Team Design: Attitude Over Knowledge
- [24:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-04-22-dr-efrain-serrano-cross-cultural-engineering-management-recognition-1-1s#t=1480) Parenting and Motivation: Goals and Perseverance
- [31:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-04-22-dr-efrain-serrano-cross-cultural-engineering-management-recognition-1-1s#t=1889) Time Management: Balancing PhD, Work, and Family
- [37:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-04-22-dr-efrain-serrano-cross-cultural-engineering-management-recognition-1-1s#t=2237) Productivity Tactics: The Rule of Five and Meeting Delegation

## Topics

- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Edwards Lifesciences (company)
- Walden University (other)
- Pipeline Design & Engineering (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [330: I Just Want a Dog](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-05-14-330-i-just-want-a-dog) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-04-22-dr-efrain-serrano-cross-cultural-engineering-management-recognition-1-1s. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Being an Engineer.