Building Connected Teams Across Cultures: A Remote Leader's Guide
30 Jan 2025
Hello, this is Felipe. Lately, some friends have been asking me how I manage my team, especially with the differences and language barriers. It got me thinking about my own journey. I've moved from Chile to New Zealand, to Vietnam, and now to Estonia, and one thing has been constant: I've always worked with remote teams. I've never really experienced the traditional office life – being a remote employee has just been my norm. So, I thought I'd share a bit about my experience, the things I've learned, and how I make it all work.
My Journey: From Chile to the World
My story starts in Chile, but it has taken me to some pretty amazing places – New Zealand, Vietnam, and now Estonia. Each place has taught me something new about how people work and communicate. I've seen different ways of doing things, and that's been a big help in my career.
Throughout my time at SendGrid, Twilio, and Semrush, I've worked with team members across the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Russia, Australia, and Ukraine. It was like an intensive course in coordination across time zones and cultures, all without a single physical office. It taught me that success isn't about being in the same room, but about understanding how to work well with people who are different from you.
Now at Cynoia, we're taking this to the next level. Our leadership team is spread across Europe and Africa:
Our CEO is in Marseille, France.
Our CPO is in Sousse, Tunisia.
Our CFO is in Tunis, Tunisia.
Our CTO is in Stockholm, Sweden.
And I'm here, as the CMO, in Tallinn, Estonia.
Plus, our team members are all over Tunisia.
It's a real mix, and it's amazing!
Hello, this is Felipe. Lately, some friends have been asking me how I manage my team, especially with the differences and language barriers. It got me thinking about my own journey. I've moved from Chile to New Zealand, to Vietnam, and now to Estonia, and one thing has been constant: I've always worked with remote teams. I've never really experienced the traditional office life – being a remote employee has just been my norm. So, I thought I'd share a bit about my experience, the things I've learned, and how I make it all work.
My Journey: From Chile to the World
My story starts in Chile, but it has taken me to some pretty amazing places – New Zealand, Vietnam, and now Estonia. Each place has taught me something new about how people work and communicate. I've seen different ways of doing things, and that's been a big help in my career.
Throughout my time at SendGrid, Twilio, and Semrush, I've worked with team members across the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Russia, Australia, and Ukraine. It was like an intensive course in coordination across time zones and cultures, all without a single physical office. It taught me that success isn't about being in the same room, but about understanding how to work well with people who are different from you.
Now at Cynoia, we're taking this to the next level. Our leadership team is spread across Europe and Africa:
Our CEO is in Marseille, France.
Our CPO is in Sousse, Tunisia.
Our CFO is in Tunis, Tunisia.
Our CTO is in Stockholm, Sweden.
And I'm here, as the CMO, in Tallinn, Estonia.
Plus, our team members are all over Tunisia.
It's a real mix, and it's amazing!
Hello, this is Felipe. Lately, some friends have been asking me how I manage my team, especially with the differences and language barriers. It got me thinking about my own journey. I've moved from Chile to New Zealand, to Vietnam, and now to Estonia, and one thing has been constant: I've always worked with remote teams. I've never really experienced the traditional office life – being a remote employee has just been my norm. So, I thought I'd share a bit about my experience, the things I've learned, and how I make it all work.
My Journey: From Chile to the World
My story starts in Chile, but it has taken me to some pretty amazing places – New Zealand, Vietnam, and now Estonia. Each place has taught me something new about how people work and communicate. I've seen different ways of doing things, and that's been a big help in my career.
Throughout my time at SendGrid, Twilio, and Semrush, I've worked with team members across the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Russia, Australia, and Ukraine. It was like an intensive course in coordination across time zones and cultures, all without a single physical office. It taught me that success isn't about being in the same room, but about understanding how to work well with people who are different from you.
Now at Cynoia, we're taking this to the next level. Our leadership team is spread across Europe and Africa:
Our CEO is in Marseille, France.
Our CPO is in Sousse, Tunisia.
Our CFO is in Tunis, Tunisia.
Our CTO is in Stockholm, Sweden.
And I'm here, as the CMO, in Tallinn, Estonia.
Plus, our team members are all over Tunisia.
It's a real mix, and it's amazing!
Understanding Cultural Nuances: It's More Than Just Language
One of the biggest things I've learned is that communication is about more than just the words you use. It's about understanding the cultural context behind those words.
Take Estonia, for example. I lived there for ten years and I still don't speak Estonian. Estonians speak very good English, but they can be quite direct. This can seem harsh if you're not used to it. It took me a while to understand that it's not about rudeness, it's just a different way of communicating.
It's the same with our French-speaking team. There are subtle differences in how people express themselves, and you need to be aware of these things to avoid misunderstandings.
That's why we use Cynoia's chat features to talk about these things:
We share the context behind our communication styles.
We document cultural preferences so everyone is on the same page.
We create guidelines on how we interact with each other across cultures.
We build awareness of how tone can change depending on where you're from.
And we proactively address any misunderstandings that may arise.
Building Trust: It's the Foundation
Trust is crucial, especially when you work remotely. You can't just walk up to someone's desk to check on things, so you have to build trust in other ways. At Cynoia, we use our own platform to keep things transparent and open. We use our project management tools to track progress, but we also give people the space to do their work in their own way.
Here's how we build trust:
We document cultural perspectives and communication preferences.
We create clear processes that allow for different work styles.
We use asynchronous communication to respect time zones.
We keep project tracking visible so everyone knows what's happening.
And we encourage open discussions about cultural differences.
Human Connections: It's Not Just About Work
Remote work can feel isolating, but it doesn't have to be. We use video calls and Cynoia's chat features to stay connected as people, not just colleagues.
Here are some ways we do this:
We start meetings with personal check-ins, being mindful of cultural norms.
We create dedicated spaces to share cultural perspectives, so we can learn from each other.
We celebrate different holidays and traditions.
We plan team interactions that respect local customs and time zones.
And whenever we can, we meet in person, always being considerate of local customs.
How Cynoia Helps Us Bridge Cultures
We use Cynoia every day to facilitate remote work. It's our digital headquarters, where we do everything from project management to organizing meetings.
Here's how we use it:
We manage projects with sensitivity to different work styles.
We host video calls, being mindful of cultural communication patterns.
We share documents with clear context for different audiences.
We maintain organized channels that respect cultural norms.
And we track progress while accommodating diverse approaches to work.
Understanding Cultural Nuances: It's More Than Just Language
One of the biggest things I've learned is that communication is about more than just the words you use. It's about understanding the cultural context behind those words.
Take Estonia, for example. I lived there for ten years and I still don't speak Estonian. Estonians speak very good English, but they can be quite direct. This can seem harsh if you're not used to it. It took me a while to understand that it's not about rudeness, it's just a different way of communicating.
It's the same with our French-speaking team. There are subtle differences in how people express themselves, and you need to be aware of these things to avoid misunderstandings.
That's why we use Cynoia's chat features to talk about these things:
We share the context behind our communication styles.
We document cultural preferences so everyone is on the same page.
We create guidelines on how we interact with each other across cultures.
We build awareness of how tone can change depending on where you're from.
And we proactively address any misunderstandings that may arise.
Building Trust: It's the Foundation
Trust is crucial, especially when you work remotely. You can't just walk up to someone's desk to check on things, so you have to build trust in other ways. At Cynoia, we use our own platform to keep things transparent and open. We use our project management tools to track progress, but we also give people the space to do their work in their own way.
Here's how we build trust:
We document cultural perspectives and communication preferences.
We create clear processes that allow for different work styles.
We use asynchronous communication to respect time zones.
We keep project tracking visible so everyone knows what's happening.
And we encourage open discussions about cultural differences.
Human Connections: It's Not Just About Work
Remote work can feel isolating, but it doesn't have to be. We use video calls and Cynoia's chat features to stay connected as people, not just colleagues.
Here are some ways we do this:
We start meetings with personal check-ins, being mindful of cultural norms.
We create dedicated spaces to share cultural perspectives, so we can learn from each other.
We celebrate different holidays and traditions.
We plan team interactions that respect local customs and time zones.
And whenever we can, we meet in person, always being considerate of local customs.
How Cynoia Helps Us Bridge Cultures
We use Cynoia every day to facilitate remote work. It's our digital headquarters, where we do everything from project management to organizing meetings.
Here's how we use it:
We manage projects with sensitivity to different work styles.
We host video calls, being mindful of cultural communication patterns.
We share documents with clear context for different audiences.
We maintain organized channels that respect cultural norms.
And we track progress while accommodating diverse approaches to work.
Understanding Cultural Nuances: It's More Than Just Language
One of the biggest things I've learned is that communication is about more than just the words you use. It's about understanding the cultural context behind those words.
Take Estonia, for example. I lived there for ten years and I still don't speak Estonian. Estonians speak very good English, but they can be quite direct. This can seem harsh if you're not used to it. It took me a while to understand that it's not about rudeness, it's just a different way of communicating.
It's the same with our French-speaking team. There are subtle differences in how people express themselves, and you need to be aware of these things to avoid misunderstandings.
That's why we use Cynoia's chat features to talk about these things:
We share the context behind our communication styles.
We document cultural preferences so everyone is on the same page.
We create guidelines on how we interact with each other across cultures.
We build awareness of how tone can change depending on where you're from.
And we proactively address any misunderstandings that may arise.
Building Trust: It's the Foundation
Trust is crucial, especially when you work remotely. You can't just walk up to someone's desk to check on things, so you have to build trust in other ways. At Cynoia, we use our own platform to keep things transparent and open. We use our project management tools to track progress, but we also give people the space to do their work in their own way.
Here's how we build trust:
We document cultural perspectives and communication preferences.
We create clear processes that allow for different work styles.
We use asynchronous communication to respect time zones.
We keep project tracking visible so everyone knows what's happening.
And we encourage open discussions about cultural differences.
Human Connections: It's Not Just About Work
Remote work can feel isolating, but it doesn't have to be. We use video calls and Cynoia's chat features to stay connected as people, not just colleagues.
Here are some ways we do this:
We start meetings with personal check-ins, being mindful of cultural norms.
We create dedicated spaces to share cultural perspectives, so we can learn from each other.
We celebrate different holidays and traditions.
We plan team interactions that respect local customs and time zones.
And whenever we can, we meet in person, always being considerate of local customs.
How Cynoia Helps Us Bridge Cultures
We use Cynoia every day to facilitate remote work. It's our digital headquarters, where we do everything from project management to organizing meetings.
Here's how we use it:
We manage projects with sensitivity to different work styles.
We host video calls, being mindful of cultural communication patterns.
We share documents with clear context for different audiences.
We maintain organized channels that respect cultural norms.
And we track progress while accommodating diverse approaches to work.
Daily routines: Respecting diversity
We have also developed daily routines that respect our cultural differences. We use Cynoia to create workflows that work for everyone, no matter where they are or how they prefer to work.
Our routines include:
Flexible check-ins that adapt to different styles.
Clear task assignments with cultural context.
Regular one-on-ones that respect communication preferences.
Progress updates that consider different feedback approaches.
And working hours that respect time zones and local customs.
The future of remote leadership
As we expand Cynoia across Africa, our understanding of cultural nuances becomes even more crucial. Whether launching new features or entering new markets, we focus on creating genuine human connections.
If you’re looking to improve your remote collaboration, take a look at our solutions page for remote teams. We are here to help teams connect and work better together, no matter where they are.
Key takeaways
Take time to understand cultural contexts. It’s not just about knowing the language; it’s about understanding the nuances.
Document everything. Create clear processes that consider different perspectives.
Build spaces for sharing. Make it easy for team members to learn from each other’s cultures.
Use tools that work for everyone. Ensure your technology supports different working styles.
Connect as humans. Don’t let distance stand in the way of building real relationships.
Remote leadership is not just about managing tasks from afar; it is about creating a space where everyone feels understood and valued. When you focus on building human connections and respecting cultural differences, you can build a strong, effective team ready to take on the world.
Also, I think my love for remote work might be part of my neurodivergence. It allows me to have my own office, my own space, which is significant for me. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about creating an environment where I can thrive, and I believe that’s something everyone deserves.
Daily routines: Respecting diversity
We have also developed daily routines that respect our cultural differences. We use Cynoia to create workflows that work for everyone, no matter where they are or how they prefer to work.
Our routines include:
Flexible check-ins that adapt to different styles.
Clear task assignments with cultural context.
Regular one-on-ones that respect communication preferences.
Progress updates that consider different feedback approaches.
And working hours that respect time zones and local customs.
The future of remote leadership
As we expand Cynoia across Africa, our understanding of cultural nuances becomes even more crucial. Whether launching new features or entering new markets, we focus on creating genuine human connections.
If you’re looking to improve your remote collaboration, take a look at our solutions page for remote teams. We are here to help teams connect and work better together, no matter where they are.
Key takeaways
Take time to understand cultural contexts. It’s not just about knowing the language; it’s about understanding the nuances.
Document everything. Create clear processes that consider different perspectives.
Build spaces for sharing. Make it easy for team members to learn from each other’s cultures.
Use tools that work for everyone. Ensure your technology supports different working styles.
Connect as humans. Don’t let distance stand in the way of building real relationships.
Remote leadership is not just about managing tasks from afar; it is about creating a space where everyone feels understood and valued. When you focus on building human connections and respecting cultural differences, you can build a strong, effective team ready to take on the world.
Also, I think my love for remote work might be part of my neurodivergence. It allows me to have my own office, my own space, which is significant for me. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about creating an environment where I can thrive, and I believe that’s something everyone deserves.
Daily routines: Respecting diversity
We have also developed daily routines that respect our cultural differences. We use Cynoia to create workflows that work for everyone, no matter where they are or how they prefer to work.
Our routines include:
Flexible check-ins that adapt to different styles.
Clear task assignments with cultural context.
Regular one-on-ones that respect communication preferences.
Progress updates that consider different feedback approaches.
And working hours that respect time zones and local customs.
The future of remote leadership
As we expand Cynoia across Africa, our understanding of cultural nuances becomes even more crucial. Whether launching new features or entering new markets, we focus on creating genuine human connections.
If you’re looking to improve your remote collaboration, take a look at our solutions page for remote teams. We are here to help teams connect and work better together, no matter where they are.
Key takeaways
Take time to understand cultural contexts. It’s not just about knowing the language; it’s about understanding the nuances.
Document everything. Create clear processes that consider different perspectives.
Build spaces for sharing. Make it easy for team members to learn from each other’s cultures.
Use tools that work for everyone. Ensure your technology supports different working styles.
Connect as humans. Don’t let distance stand in the way of building real relationships.
Remote leadership is not just about managing tasks from afar; it is about creating a space where everyone feels understood and valued. When you focus on building human connections and respecting cultural differences, you can build a strong, effective team ready to take on the world.
Also, I think my love for remote work might be part of my neurodivergence. It allows me to have my own office, my own space, which is significant for me. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about creating an environment where I can thrive, and I believe that’s something everyone deserves.