INSTILLING A GLOBAL MINDSET THROUGH PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

Developing Intercultural Competence

Sunday Goshit, Ph.D.

30 YEARS OF EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Dr. Sunday Goshit is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of International Studies at the University of Iowa and an Instructor of Intercultural Competence for the Kirkwood Community College Corporate Training Program. He has worked in disability services for over a decade. From 1995 to 2000, he taught Geography in the Department of Geography and Planning at the University of Jos. Prior to that, from 1988 to 1995, he worked with the World Bank–assisted Plateau State Agricultural Development Programme. Between 1986 and 1988, he taught high school Geography at Gonerit Memorial College. From 1985 to 1986, he served in Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, teaching at Idofin High School in Kwara State.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Dr. Goshit earned a Ph.D. in Physical Geography with an emphasis on Synoptic Climatology from the University of Iowa in December 2009. He also holds two master’s degrees from the same institution – one in Geography and another in Information Science. He graduated with a B.Sc. (Second Class Upper Division) in Geography from the University of Jos in 1985 and later obtained a Master of Science in Environmental Resource Planning from the same university in 1996. In addition, he holds an Associate of Science degree in Web Technologies and certificates in Excel, Web Design, Web Technology, and Database, all from Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

EXPERTISE IN CULTURAL COMPETENCY & GLOBAL CONTEXT

Dr. Goshit is highly regarded for his expertise in conducting cultural competency training, particularly for adult learners in professional and organizational settings. His work emphasizes the critical need for intercultural understanding and sensitivity in today’s increasingly interconnected world. Drawing on both academic and practical experience, he helps professionals navigate cross-cultural dynamics, fostering inclusive environments and stronger interpersonal relationships. Dr. Goshit understands that adult learners benefit from applied, context-rich learning experiences that connect global insights to local realities. His trainings and teachings advocate for the universal importance of cultivating international awareness as a foundation for making meaningful local impact – leading to healthier communities, more equitable workplaces, and productive, respectful employee relationships grounded in best practices.

Creative Conversations with Dr. Goshit

GROWING IN KNOWLEDGE IS A LIFELONG JOURNEY WHICH REQUIRES HUMILITY AND DESIRE TO CONTINUE GROWING

Intercultural development training is a research-based approach designed to enhance individuals’ and organizations’ ability to engage effectively across cultural differences. Grounded in the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®) and its validated theory, the Intercultural Development Continuum, this training emphasizes growth over judgment, helping participants move from limited awareness to deeper understanding and adaptive behavior in diverse settings.

Unlike diversity trainings that often focus on compliance or cultural facts, intercultural development training uses a psychometric assessment to reveal how people make sense of and respond to cultural difference. It measures both mindset and skillset, offering actionable insights that guide individuals and groups through a personalized development process. Participants are supported in shifting perspectives, improving interactions, and fostering more inclusive and effective environments.

A key value of this approach lies in its ability to transform interpersonal and organizational dynamics. By developing intercultural competence, individuals become better equipped to build trust, resolve conflict, and make contextually informed decisions. This results in stronger teams, healthier communities, and more productive work relationships—benefits that extend beyond professional spaces and into the broader social fabric.

GLOBAL CITIZENS MAKE A LOCAL IMPACT

BUILDING INTERCULTURAL CAPACITY FOR STRONGER COMMUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

Damina Global Consulting LLC partners with city governments, employers, and community organizations to strengthen intercultural competence and inclusive leadership. Our Intercultural Development training series, aligned with the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), equips leaders and teams with practical skills to communicate across difference, make equitable decisions, build trust, and create environments where everyone can thrive. Through engaging, locally grounded workshops, we help organizations move from good intentions to measurable impact.

MODULE 1: UNDERSTANDING OUR CHANGING COMMUNITIES

Overview

This foundational module introduces participants to the cultural and demographic shifts shaping organizations and communities. Participants explore how culture influences values, communication, expectations, and decision-making—and how limited cultural awareness can affect leadership, service delivery, and workplace effectiveness.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

  1. Define culture beyond surface-level differences

  2. Identify how assumptions and limited exposure affect interactions

  3. Recognize early intercultural orientations using the IDI framework

  4. Increase awareness of cultural differences in local contexts

Delivery Formats

a)      2-hour interactive workshop

b)      In-person or virtual

c)      Suitable for mixed or sector-specific groups

Call to Action

Build a strong foundation for intercultural effectiveness.
Contact Damina Global Consulting LLC to schedule this introductory training for your organization or department.

MODULE 2: FROM AWARENESS TO ACTION – LEADING ACROSS DIFFERENCE

Overview

This module helps leaders recognize “us vs. them” thinking and overgeneralizations that can create tension and division. Participants learn how to move beyond polarized perspectives toward curiosity, empathy, and more effective engagement across differences.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

  1. Identify polarization dynamics in teams and communities

  2. Understand how bias and overgeneralization show up in daily interactions

  3. Practice reframing and responding constructively across difference

  4. Strengthen leadership presence in diverse settings

Delivery Formats

a)      2-hour skills-based workshop

b)      In-person or virtual

c)      Ideal for supervisors, managers, and community leaders

Call to Action

Strengthen leadership across difference.
Partner with Damina Global Consulting LLC to equip your leaders with practical intercultural skills.

MODULE 3: EQUITY, ACCESS, AND TRUST

Overview

This module addresses one of the most common intercultural challenges: the belief that treating everyone the same leads to fairness. Participants examine how systems, policies, and practices can produce unequal outcomes—and how leaders can build trust and improve access through culturally responsive approaches.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

  1. Understand why “same treatment” can result in inequity

  2. Recognize the role of culture, identity, and power in systems

  3. Identify barriers to trust and access for diverse populations

  4. Apply equity-informed thinking to leadership and decision-making

Delivery Formats

a)      2-hour interactive workshop

b)      In-person or virtual

c)      Highly effective for public sector, HR, and nonprofit teams

Call to Action

Move from intention to impact.
Engage Damina Global Consulting LLC to help your organization build trust and equitable outcomes.

MODULE 4: COMMUNICATION ACROSS DIFFERENCE

Overview

Effective communication is essential in diverse environments. This module provides participants with practical tools to navigate differences in communication styles, expectations, and cultural norms, reducing misunderstanding and improving collaboration.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

  1. Identify culturally influenced communication styles

  2. Practice active listening across cultural differences

  3. Ask better questions and reduce defensiveness

  4. Respond more effectively in challenging conversations

Delivery Formats

a)      2-hour interactive skills workshop

b)      In-person or virtual

c)      Applicable across sectors and roles

Call to Action

Improve communication. Reduce conflict. Increase effectiveness.
Schedule this training with Damina Global Consulting LLC to strengthen communication across your organization.

MODULE 5: DECISION-MAKING THROUGH AN INTERCULTURAL LENS

Overview

This module supports leaders in making informed, culturally responsive decisions. Participants learn how to recognize meaningful cultural patterns without stereotyping and how to adapt decisions to better serve diverse teams, residents, and stakeholders.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

  1. Analyze decisions through an intercultural lens

  2. Identify whose perspectives are included or missing

  3. Adapt policies, practices, and leadership approaches

  4. Strengthen outcomes through culturally responsive decision-making

Delivery Formats

a)      2-hour scenario-based workshop

b)      In-person or virtual

c)      Ideal for leadership teams and decision-makers

Call to Action

Make better decisions in a diverse environment.
Contact Damina Global Consulting LLC to bring intercultural insight into your leadership process.

MODULE 6: BUILDING TRUST, BELONGING, AND INCLUSIVE SYSTEMS

Overview

This module focuses on sustaining inclusive practices over time. Participants develop adaptive leadership strategies that foster trust, belonging, and engagement across cultural differences—moving beyond awareness to lasting behavioral change.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

  1. Build trust across cultural boundaries

  2. Foster a sense of belonging in teams and communities

  3. Adapt leadership behaviors to diverse needs

  4. Strengthen inclusive systems and practices

Delivery Formats

a)      2-hour applied learning workshop

b)      In-person or virtual

c)      Well-suited for organizations seeking long-term impact

Call to Action

Turn inclusion into everyday practice.
Partner with Damina Global Consulting LLC to build cultures of trust and belonging

MODULE 7: MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER – INTERCULTURAL ACTION PLANNING

Overview

This capstone module helps participants translate learning into action. Using the IDI framework, individuals and teams develop practical intercultural development goals and strategies that support accountability and continuous growth.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

  1. Identify individual and organizational growth priorities

  2. Develop actionable intercultural development goals

  3. Align learning with organizational mission and values

  4. Commit to measurable next steps

Delivery Formats

a)      2-hour facilitated planning session

b)      In-person or virtual

c)      Can be paired with IDI assessment and debriefs

Call to Action

Sustain intercultural growth beyond the training room.
Contact Damina Global Consulting LLC to support your next phase of intercultural development.

FROM TENSION TO TRUST: MANAGING CONFLICT ACROSS CULTURES

Damina Global Consulting LLC partners with cities, organizations, and community leaders to build culturally responsive, conflict-competent environments. Through evidence-based assessments and practical training, including the Intercultural Conflict Styles (ICS) framework. We help leaders navigate difference, reduce misunderstanding, and strengthen trust across cultures. Our work equips teams to lead with equity, communicate effectively, and turn conflict into an opportunity for learning, collaboration, and sustainable impact.

MODULE 1: UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT ACROSS CULTURES

Overview
This foundational module examines how culture shapes the meaning, expression, and interpretation of conflict. Participants explore why behaviors that appear passive, aggressive, or disrespectful often reflect different cultural values related to communication, power, and harmony.

Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to:

  1. Define conflict through an intercultural lens

  2. Recognize how cultural values shape conflict behaviors

  3. Identify assumptions that escalate misunderstanding and tension

Delivery Formats

a)      2-hour interactive workshop

b)      Half-day professional development session

c)      Virtual or in-person

Call to Action
Build a shared foundation for addressing conflict across difference.
Schedule this module as a standalone workshop or as the entry point to a full ICS training series.

MODULE 2: KNOWING YOUR CONFLICT STYLE: INTERPRETING THE ICS INVENTORY

Overview
Using the Intercultural Conflict Styles (ICS) Inventory, this module helps participants understand their natural approaches to conflict. Emphasis is placed on self-awareness, strengths, blind spots, and contextual effectiveness.

Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to:

  1. Interpret their ICS assessment results

  2. Understand the Direct–Indirect and Engage–Avoid dimensions

  3. Recognize how their style impacts leadership and relationships

Delivery Formats

a)      2-hour facilitated assessment debrief

b)      Cohort-based leadership development

c)      Virtual or in-person

Call to Action
Increase self-awareness and leadership effectiveness in conflict.
Pair this module with the ICS assessment for maximum impact.

MODULE 3: INTERCULTURAL CONFLICT STYLES IN ACTION

Overview
This module focuses on recognizing and effectively working with conflict styles different from one’s own. Participants learn to reduce misinterpretation, build empathy, and adapt expectations in diverse teams and partnerships.

Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to:

  1. Identify different conflict styles in others

  2. Anticipate common style-based misunderstandings

  3. Adjust communication strategies across cultures

Delivery Formats

a)      2-hour skills-based workshop

b)      Team or department training

c)      In-person preferred; virtual available

Call to Action
Improve collaboration by understanding how others approach conflict.
Ideal for teams experiencing communication breakdowns or tension.

MODULE 4: MANAGING CONFLICT IN MULTICULTURAL WORKPLACES

Overview
Designed for supervisors and managers, this module applies intercultural conflict principles to real workplace challenges such as feedback, performance management, and policy enforcement in diverse environments.

Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to:

  1. Address workplace conflict proactively and fairly

  2. Provide feedback across cultural differences

  3. Reduce escalation, grievances, and complaints

Delivery Formats

a)      2-hour management training

b)      Half-day supervisory institute

c)      In-person or virtual

Call to Action
Equip your leaders to manage conflict without damaging trust or morale.
Recommended for supervisory, HR, and leadership development programs.

Module 5: Conflict in Diverse Communities

Overview
This module prepares leaders to navigate conflict in public-facing and community settings. Participants develop culturally responsive strategies for dialogue, engagement, and trust-building, particularly with immigrant and historically marginalized communities.

Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to:

  1. Navigate conflict in community meetings and public forums

  2. Apply culturally responsive listening strategies

  3. Build trust across cultural and historical divides

Delivery Formats

a)      2-hour community engagement workshop

b)      Retreat or leadership cohort session

c)      In-person preferred

Call to Action
Strengthen community trust through culturally responsive conflict engagement.
Ideal for cities, nonprofits, and community organizations.

MODULE 6: POWER, AUTHORITY, AND EQUITY IN CONFLICT

Overview
This advanced module explores how power, authority, and inequity shape conflict experiences and outcomes. Participants examine power distance, historical context, and equity considerations in conflict decision-making.

Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to:

  1. Recognize how power dynamics influence conflict

  2. Identify equity gaps in conflict processes

  3. Apply an equity-centered leadership approach

Delivery Formats

a)      2-hour advanced leadership workshop

b)      Equity or DEI learning series

c)      Virtual or in-person

Call to Action
Lead conflict processes that are fair, transparent, and equitable.
Recommended for senior leaders and equity-focused initiatives.

MODULE 7: ADAPTING AND DE-ESCALATING INTERCULTURAL CONFLICT

Overview
This practical, skill-building module equips participants with tools to de-escalate tense situations and adapt their conflict style across cultural contexts. Emphasis is placed on communication, emotional regulation, and trust repair.

Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to:

  1. De-escalate high-tension situations effectively

  2. Adapt conflict strategies to cultural context

  3. Repair relationships after conflict

Delivery Formats

a)      2-hour interactive skills lab

b)      Crisis response or leadership training

c)      In-person or virtual

Call to Action
Move from escalation to resolution with confidence and cultural awareness.
Ideal for frontline leaders and high-stakes environments.

MODULE 8: PUTTING ICS INTO PRACTICE: INTERCULTURAL LEADERSHIP LAB

Overview
This capstone module integrates learning from the full ICS series into real-world leadership practice. Participants apply the framework to current challenges and develop actionable plans for sustained intercultural competence.

Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to:

  1. Apply ICS concepts to real organizational challenges

  2. Develop personal or team action plans

  3. Sustain respectful dialogue and conflict competence

Delivery Formats

a)      2-hour capstone workshop

b)      Full-day retreat closing session

c)      In-person preferred

Call to Action
Turn insight into action and lasting organizational change.
Best delivered as the final module in a multi-session ICS program.

CONTACT