A Step Ahead by Monika Chutnik

24/06/2025

The rules for building connections with stakeholders are quite similar, no matter where you run a project. But it's good to know the rules that apply in specific countries. This can be very helpful. 💁‍♀️

Learn about the written and unwritten rules that are common in Asian countries! 🌎

Listen to the episode in which Monika Chutnik talks to Beata Malinowska, who shares her vast knowledge and experience. 🎙️

In this episode you will learn:
✅ How to build trust with in
✅ Key cultural differences across Asian countries
✅ How to deal with ambiguity and uncertainty
✅ What to know about hierarchy and
✅ Gender dynamics in Asian business environments
✅ How to adapt your style by region
✅ Tips for preparing to work abroad

🎧 https://astepahead.pro/managing-stakeholders-in-asia/

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17/06/2025

Learn how to take your first steps with Hungarians! And the next ones too 😉

Listen to this fascinating conversation 🎙️ about Hungarians, Hungarian culture, and business relations! Monika Chutnik was talking to Aniko Uj, who shared lots of facts and insights on the topic. 💡

In this episode you will learn:
✅ Why Hungarians might seem reserved—and what it really means
✅ How handshake customs differ in Hungary compared to other countries
✅ The role of food, drinks, and small talk in building business relationships
✅ Why learning just a few Hungarian words can make a big difference
✅ How Hungarians give and receive feedback at work
✅ Tips for working effectively with Hungarian colleagues—virtually or in person
✅ Why building trust takes time, but lasts long in Hungarian culture

🎧 https://astepahead.pro/making-friends-with-hungarians/

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10/06/2025

CEE audience can sometimes be very quiet. So how to make them speak? 🗣️

Małgorzata Miętkiewicz answered this question in a conversation with Monika Chutnik. 🎙️In this podcast episode, you will find great tips and interesting insights on this very topic.

In this episode you will learn:
✅ Why CEE audiences often stay silent or hesitate to speak in meetings
✅ How history, education, and hierarchy shape communication in CEE
✅ Why leaving space to speak is key—and why interrupting is avoided
✅ How fear of making mistakes in English holds people back
✅ Tools and techniques to boost engagement in CEE teams
✅ Why setting expectations upfront makes a big difference

🎧 https://astepahead.pro/how-to-make-cee-audience-speak/

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03/06/2025

Is speaking languages with joy and confidence possible? 💡
Of course! Change your language attitude today. 💪

This is the topic discussed in the podcast by Monika Chutnik and her guest Vladislavs Alehno. 🎙️

Listen 🎧 to the entire episode to learn more!

In this episode you will learn:
☑️ Why calling a language “foreign” can block your progress — and what to say instead.
☑️ How Vlad learned French fluently in just one year using natural immersion.
☑️ Why attitude matters more than talent in language learning.
☑️ Simple first steps to start learning any language.
☑️ How languages build bridges — and become part of your personal story.

🎧 https://astepahead.pro/how-to-speak-10-languages/

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28/05/2025

🎧 New Podcast Episode: "Making Friends with Hungarians"
with Monika Chutnik and her guest, intercultural trainer and coach Aniko Uj 🎙️

What’s it like to build relationships and collaborate with Hungarian colleagues—especially in virtual teams? 💻 How do communication styles, cultural habits, and even historical events influence the way Hungarians work, give feedback, and connect?

In this episode, we explore:
✅ How to build trust in Hungarian business culture
✅ Why Hungarians may seem reserved—and what’s actually behind it
✅ When (and why) handshakes matter
✅ The role of food, drinks, and small talk in relationship-building
✅ How to avoid common communication pitfalls
✅ What not to bring up early on (yes, politics!)

If you’re working in or with multicultural teams, leading global projects, or simply want to understand your Hungarian colleagues better—this conversation is for you.

👉 Listen now and take your cultural competence one step ahead.

🎧 https://astepahead.pro/making-friends-with-hungarians/



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21/05/2025

Storytelling is a skill which can be learned. 📖

This is what Yingdan Liu said in A Step Ahead Podcast while talking with Monika Chutnik about . 🎙️

From this episode you will learn:
☑️ Why storytelling?
☑️ Why is storytelling so adequate in business?
☑️ What are the necessary elements of a story?
☑️ The Five S model for creating good stories
☑️ The most common myths about storytelling
☑️ Will artificial intelligence replace storytellers?
☑️ How one story can change a person’s life?

Listen to this episode and get inspired!
🎧 https://astepahead.pro/winning-hearts-with-storytelling/



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14/05/2025

Why Is Your CEE Audience So Quiet❓
Learn How to Engage Central & Eastern Europeans in Meetings❗

Wondering why your Polish, Czech, or Romanian colleagues stay silent in meetings?

🎙️ In this episode, Monika Chutnik and Małgorzata Miętkiewicz explore the hidden reasons behind CEE audiences' quietness—from cultural roots and education to fear of making mistakes in English.

You'll get practical tips to engage them, boost interaction, and avoid common intercultural pitfalls. Perfect for global leaders, trainers, and anyone working with CEE teams. 💪

🎧 https://astepahead.pro/how-to-make-cee-audience-speak/

In this episode you will learn:
✅ Why CEE audiences often stay silent or hesitate to speak in meetings
✅ How history, education, and hierarchy shape communication in CEE
✅ Why leaving space to speak is key—and why interrupting is avoided
✅ How fear of making mistakes in English holds people back
✅ How to spot and engage quieter participants in mixed cultural groups
✅ Tools and techniques to boost engagement in CEE teams
✅ Why setting expectations upfront makes a big difference
✅ How small groups, anonymous tools, and personal stories can encourage interaction
✅ Why managers should speak last to get honest opinions

🎧 https://astepahead.pro/how-to-make-cee-audience-speak/

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05/05/2025

🎙️💡 Did you listen to the A Step Ahead podcast in April? We hope you did!

Here are the most listened to episodes over the past month:

⛩️ Managing stakeholders in Asia
Only a few have had the opportunity to work in Asia or work closely with Asian teams. If you are (or will be) one of them, learn amazing tips from Beata Malinowska.

🎧 https://astepahead.pro/managing-stakeholders-in-asia/

📖 Winning hearts with storytelling
When you think about storytelling and business, the question arises: how can you combine the two areas. Yingdan Liu brings you the answer!

🎧 https://astepahead.pro/winning-hearts-with-storytelling/

🌏 How to speak 10 languages
Start speaking languages with joy and confidence! Change your language mindset today with great tips from hyperpolyglot Vladislavs Alehno.

🎧 https://astepahead.pro/how-to-speak-10-languages/

Thank you for another month together! 🙌



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Real-life tips on managing stakeholders in Asia. Learn about cultural differences, communication styles, and building trust across regions.

30/04/2025

🌍 How to speak 10 languages? Listen to the podcast!🎙️

What if learning a new language had nothing to do with talent — and everything to do with attitude, connection, and curiosity? 💡

In the latest episode, Monika Chutnik talks to Vladislavs Alehno, a hyperpolyglot who speaks over 10 languages, about the real path to language acquisition.

Spoiler: it’s not about memorizing grammar rules or chasing "fluency" at all costs! 😉

Learn about:
✅ How to build a deep emotional connection with a language
✅ Why calling a language "foreign" can block your progress
✅ How Vlad reached fluency in French in just one year
✅ Practical steps you can start today to make language learning natural, joyful, and lasting

As Vlad says: language is about people, culture, and building bridges — not about chasing perfection. 💪

Ready to rethink the way you learn languages? 🌟
🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://astepahead.pro/how-to-speak-10-languages/



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