“culture & communication: Understanding Across Borders”
Have you ever worked with someone from a different country and walked away thinking, “Why did that feel so confusing?”
If so, you’re not alone.
Whether you’re in sales, engineering, HR, or management, if your work crosses borders, you’ve probably experienced some of those wait, what just happened? moments. And most of the time, it comes down to this: we communicate differently across cultures, and very often, we don’t realize it until something gets lost in translation.
For example, I recently spoke with a Taiwanese engineer who works closely with an American customer. He shared, “If we don’t have the answer they want, we might hold back or delay our reply. We don’t want to disappoint them or harm the relationship.”
This kind of discretion makes perfect sense within many Asian workplace cultures, like Taiwan’s, where respect, harmony, and hierarchy are deeply valued. But to an American team that’s used to directness and fast decision-making, that same silence might be read as avoidance, or even lack of ownership.
Neither side is wrong. They’re just following the communication styles they've learned and practiced over a lifetime.
In the U.S., kids grow up being encouraged to speak their mind, assert their needs, and “own their truth.” Meanwhile, in Taiwan, students learn the value of listening first, respecting authority, and working toward collective success. These early lessons shape how we speak, act, and collaborate, especially in professional settings.
But here’s the good news: understanding each other is possible, and powerful.
At WGE, we often remind our clients that the goal isn't to decide which culture is better or who’s “doing it right.” Instead, we focus on building awareness, empathy, and cross-cultural confidence so that differences become strengths, not obstacles.
When we approach our global partners and teammates with curiosity and openness, we start to discover better solutions, smoother collaboration, and stronger relationships. In short, we all do better, together.
That’s the kind of world we’re working to build. One conversation at a time.
