By Nadin Rosbigalle, VP Human Resources for Advanced Surgery
Working across cultures is one of the most rewarding, and sometimes most challenging, parts of leading global teams.
It’s easy to assume that everyone approaches decision-making and collaboration the same way we do. In reality, every interaction is influenced by culture and personal experience.
That realization is what first drew me to Erin Meyer’s The Culture Map.
What I discovered wasn’t a guide to putting people into categories. It was a framework for asking better questions.
For example, some cultures naturally expect extensive context before making decisions. Others prefer concise communication and move quickly toward action. Understanding those tendencies has helped me become much more intentional about how I communicate with global teams.
Sometimes providing additional background creates greater alignment. Other times, simplifying communication helps maintain momentum. The key isn’t following a formula; it’s understanding the people you’re working with.
One lesson stands out above all the others: Cultural awareness must always be reciprocal.
Too often, we expect one person or one culture to do all the adapting. Successful collaboration requires effort from everyone involved.
Leadership requires self-awareness and a willingness to meet others where they are.
At the same time, cultural frameworks should never become stereotypes.
Every country contains enormous diversity. Every individual brings personal experiences, family traditions, professional backgrounds and unique perspectives that cannot be captured by a single cultural profile.
That’s why I think of cultural assessments as a starting point rather than a conclusion.
They help us understand patterns, but curiosity helps us understand people.
For leaders working across global organizations, adaptability becomes one of the most valuable skills we can develop. Recognizing differences, adjusting our approach and creating space for multiple perspectives allows teams to move together instead of pulling in different directions.
Strong global collaboration isn’t about making everyone the same.
It’s about helping different people succeed together.