Diana Watson
Diana Watson is a devoted cultural immersion and Taiwan-focused intercultural thought leader who has spent almost two decades bridging Western and Chinese cultures. She is masterful at synthesizing critical information to help organizations learn critical cultural intelligence that fosters innovation while reaching profitable initiatives that positively impact the local culture and establish trust.
Diana has lived in Asia for almost twenty years. She moved to Taiwan in 2005 when Mandarin was THE hot language to learn, but also known as the hardest. Not letting her 30+ years of age deter her, she decided to supplement her language learning by joining Toastmasters, but it took many years before Diana could deliver coherent talks in Chinese. In the meantime, she took on work that required extensive leadership and constant Mandarin communication practice in both the public and private industries. By 2017, Diana made a New Year's resolution to participate in the Toastmasters Mandarin humorous speech contest that year and she won. This award-winning speech, "Am I Strange?" made Diana the first foreigner ever to beat native Mandarin speakers in a speech contest and it made her an overnight YouTube sensation. Most importantly, she not only transformed how the world viewed Black people who speak Mandarin Chinese, but she also inspired many to embrace foreign languages and cultures. "Am I Strange?" has been viewed and downloaded millions of times.
Diana has authored two books. The first, "The Speaking Seed: Secrets to Successful Foreign Language Public Speaking", was the first book ever dedicated to foreign language public speaking published in both traditional Mandarin Chinese and English in Taiwan. The second book she co-authored titled "Called to Lead: Success Strategies for Women" focuses on leadership strategies for women. Diana wrote a chapter that centers on Cross-Cultural Leadership and the importance of cultural intelligence.
Today Diana is admired by Chinese and Westerners alike for the enlightening and humorous way she shares her unique perspective as a Black woman living in Taiwan. She masterfully marries her relatable nature to everything she teaches no matter if it's mentoring clients, delivering keynotes or training global teams. Diana has received numerous speaking and leadership awards while living overseas and is a highly sought-after Keynote Speaker, Chinese-focused Intercultural Trainer and Cultural Immersion Expert.
Diana Watson is a devoted cultural immersion and Taiwan-focused intercultural thought leader who has spent almost two decades bridging Western and Chinese cultures. She is masterful at synthesizing critical information to help organizations learn critical cultural intelligence that fosters innovation while reaching profitable initiatives that positively impact the local culture and establish trust.
Diana has lived in Asia for almost twenty years. She moved to Taiwan in 2005 when Mandarin was THE hot language to learn, but also known as the hardest. Not letting her 30+ years of age deter her, she decided to supplement her language learning by joining Toastmasters, but it took many years before Diana could deliver coherent talks in Chinese. In the meantime, she took on work that required extensive leadership and constant Mandarin communication practice in both the public and private industries. By 2017, Diana made a New Year's resolution to participate in the Toastmasters Mandarin humorous speech contest that year and she won. This award-winning speech, "Am I Strange?" made Diana the first foreigner ever to beat native Mandarin speakers in a speech contest and it made her an overnight YouTube sensation. Most importantly, she not only transformed how the world viewed Black people who speak Mandarin Chinese, but she also inspired many to embrace foreign languages and cultures. "Am I Strange?" has been viewed and downloaded millions of times.
Diana has authored two books. The first, "The Speaking Seed: Secrets to Successful Foreign Language Public Speaking", was the first book ever dedicated to foreign language public speaking published in both traditional Mandarin Chinese and English in Taiwan. The second book she co-authored titled "Called to Lead: Success Strategies for Women" focuses on leadership strategies for women. Diana wrote a chapter that centers on Cross-Cultural Leadership and the importance of cultural intelligence.
Today Diana is admired by Chinese and Westerners alike for the enlightening and humorous way she shares her unique perspective as a Black woman living in Taiwan. She masterfully marries her relatable nature to everything she teaches no matter if it's mentoring clients, delivering keynotes or training global teams. Diana has received numerous speaking and leadership awards while living overseas and is a highly sought-after Keynote Speaker, Chinese-focused Intercultural Trainer and Cultural Immersion Expert.
West Meets East
But it doesn't have to be this way.
The Risk of Only Understanding Yourself
As of 2020, the US State Department estimated that over 10 million Americans live overseas. Millions more from other countries have to make homes temporarily in unfamiliar cultures. Unfortunately too many never receive Cultural Intelligence or Cross-Cultural Communication and Leadership training. These skills are paramount in order to work with people from different cultures, whether it be global teams for work, or if one needs to acclimate successfully...
Why Strange is Okay
Do you feel different? Look different? Don't fit in, but so desperately want to? The path of finding solace in who we are is a challenge for all of us. At one point or another many of us have struggled with acclimating to a new environment or feeling out of place. And that feeling of strangeness can go deeper than physical appearances or lack of skill.
The purpose of living our truest selves require that we do what makes us uncomfortable in order to tap into our...
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