Every team is a blend of voices, and when those voices come from different countries, time zones, and traditions, the harmony can feel tricky at first. But beneath the awkward pauses and mixed signals lies an incredible opportunity: the chance to build something stronger than any one culture could create alone.
I still remember a project I worked on with colleagues from five nations. We were brilliant individually, but our first meetings were chaotic. Someone’s directness felt rude to another, and quiet pause was read as disengagement when it was actually respect.
Instead of powering through, we decided to name what was happening. We spent a morning sharing a little about how our cultures shaped the way we spoke, listened, and made decisions. This conversation changed the air in the room.
From then on, we practised a few simple habits:
- Listening wide and Cary everyone along
- Asking questions instead of assuming.
- Honouring traditions: Acknowledged holidays, greetings, and celebrated stories that mattered to each member.
- Inviting reflection.
Little by little, our differences stopped being landmines and started becoming sparks. We produced fresher ideas, built deeper trust, and felt proud of how much richer our work became because of our varied perspectives.
Cross-cultural communication is less about mastering a list of “dos and don’ts” and more about cultivating curiosity. It’s about realising that a teammate’s choice of words, or even their quiet, might be a doorway to understanding how they see the world.
Therefore, if you’re leading or collaborating with a global team, remember: you don’t have to erase differences to succeed. You have to tend them; like a garden full of colours and textures that thrive side by side.
Slow down, ask thoughtful questions, listen beyond accents to hear intentions, and celebrate what each voice brings. That’s where challenges turn into strengths, and where teamwork becomes a shared adventure.
Do you want to go deeper?
My book, Nigeria is for the Nimble, is filled with stories and strategies to help you connect across cultures with confidence and heart.
Grab your copy today on Amazon, and Roving Height.