IIP132 How to Overcome Communication Barriers in Multicultural, Distributed Teams
Release Date: 02/14/2025
IIP147 Distributed Work Models: Unlocking A Global & Multicultural Workforce
Inclusion in Progress
Have you ever wondered how you can support a truly global, culturally diverse team — without losing alignment or connection? Many companies offer work-from-anywhere policies, but few have mastered how to build inclusive, cross-border collaboration into their strategy. Which is why on this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’re diving into one of the 12 distributed work models we’ve identified while working with remote and hybrid teams: The Work-From-Anywhere + Cross-Cultural Hybrid Model — inspired by companies like Spotify. We cover: How to balance location flexibility with cultural...
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IIP146 Distributed Work Models: Succession Planning & Building Agile Leaders
Inclusion in Progress
Have you ever wondered how you can create more agile, well-rounded leaders across your organization — without sacrificing flexibility or work-life balance? We often talk about developing talent and succession planning as if they’re separate from our distributed work strategy. But if you’re not intentional about how career growth happens across remote and hybrid setups, you risk losing great talent to stagnation or burnout. Which is why on this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’re diving into one of the 12 distributed work models we’ve identified while working with global teams:...
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IIP145 Distributed Work Models: How Regional Hubs Strengthen Your Hybrid Work Model
Inclusion in Progress
Have you ever wondered how to preserve the freedom and focus of remote work — without losing the connection and collaboration that comes from being together in person? Which is why on this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’re diving into one of the 12 distributed work models we’ve identified while working with remote and hybrid teams. This episode breaks down the Fully-Remote with Regional Hubs — which allows global leaders like you to provide flexibility without sacrificing belonging and in-person connection. We cover: How to foster in-person collaboration — without...
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IIP144 Distributed Work Models: When The Office Is An Option, Not A Mandate
Inclusion in Progress
In the span of a few short years, our understanding of how, when, and where work happens has shifted in ways that once seemed impossible. During this time, people were able to experiment with their personal work styles and preferences — what allows them to be more productive and efficient — and found that they could be just as effective outside of the office. But what if physical office spaces transformed into creative and collaborative hubs instead of just mandatory checkpoints for your teams? On this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’re diving into one of the 12 distributed...
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IIP143 Distributed Work Models: Virtual-First Doesn’t Mean Office-Free — A Case for Planned In-Office Days
Inclusion in Progress
The term “hybrid work” brings up different things for different people and organizations. But even we at Inclusion in Progress can agree: hybrid work in its current iteration is fundamentally broken because it still focuses so heavily on where work gets done — rather than how to make it work better — no matter where people are physically located. Which is why on this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’re diving into one of the 12 distributed work models we’ve identified while working with remote and hybrid teams. This episode breaks down the Virtual-First with Planned...
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IIP142 Distributed Work Experts: Lessons from NEI Electric Power Engineering
Inclusion in Progress
For this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we continue our Distributed Work Expert Series with someone (gasp!) outside of the tech industry! With this series, we’ve been highlighting some of the world’s leading experts who continue to map, innovate, and design how work looks from inside forward-thinking companies — designing a version of work that works for teams — regardless of where they choose to work. Our goal is to highlight distributed work leaders in companies to help forward-thinking leaders like you to: Navigate remote and hybrid work challenges with real-world...
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IIP141 Distributed Work Experts: Lessons from Checkly
Inclusion in Progress
For this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we return to our Distributed Work Expert Interview Series. On the podcast, we’ve been highlighting some of the world’s leading experts who continue to map, innovate, and design how distributed work looks from inside forward-thinking companies — designing a version of work that works for teams — regardless of where they choose to work. Our goal is to highlight distributed work leaders in companies to help forward-thinking leaders like you to: Navigate remote and hybrid work challenges with real-world examples Draw inspiration to find a...
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IIP140 Distributed Work Models: Your Hybrid Model Needs Fixing — Here’s How
Inclusion in Progress
Have you ever wondered how you can take your existing hybrid work model and optimize it so that it serves both your employees and your business goals? We often think of hybrid models as a compromise between remote and office-based work but — if you don't intentionally design and revisit your hybrid strategy regularly — this mentality can end up hindering productivity rather than enhancing it. Which is why on this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’re diving into one of the 12 distributed work models we’ve identified while working with remote and hybrid teams. This episode...
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IIP139 Beyond Automation: How AI Can Enhance (Not Replace) Distributed Workforces
Inclusion in Progress
When it comes to discussions about artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, most immediately veer into negative territory. It’s hard not to feel alarmed when most headlines we read about AI range from the outrageous to the terrifying. But in reality, what are most organizations actually using AI for? How are systems, protocols, and processes being updated by AI-enabled technologies? And what does the increasing use of AI in companies mean for distributed teams and flexible work? These questions are why Team IIP hosted an Executive Roundtable to discuss, “Beyond Automation: Will AI...
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IIP138 Distributed Work Models: What Happens When Global Teams Want to Meet In Person?
Inclusion in Progress
For years corporate success was measured by the size of a company’s headquarters, but this all changed overnight when the pandemic hit. Companies soon realized that they didn’t need their employees to commute to one central location to collaborate effectively. Which is why on this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’re diving into one of the 12 distributed work models we’ve identified while working with remote and hybrid teams. This episode breaks down the Hub-And-Spoke Model — which highlights a decentralized approach to workplace design, enabling both in-person and remote...
info_outlineIn today’s global workplace, effective communication can make or break a team’s success. But for multicultural, distributed teams, navigating differences in language, cultural norms, and collaboration styles often feels overwhelming.
In this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we uncover the root causes of communication challenges in distributed teams — and more importantly, how to solve them.
You’ll learn:
- Why cultural nuances often lead to misunderstandings and misaligned expectations.
- The key to establishing clear norms for synchronous and asynchronous communication.
- How leaders can model inclusive behaviors that build trust and alignment.
Whether you’re managing a globally distributed team or part of one, this episode offers actionable strategies to help your team collaborate more effectively.
🎧 Tune in now — and don’t forget to download our Distributed Work E-Book for additional tips and tools to create a communication framework that drives connection and results.
#InclusiveDistributedWork #MulticulturalTeams #GlobalLeadership #FutureofWork
TIMESTAMPS:
[3:56] What barriers arise in multicultural, distributed teams.
[7:20] Why effective communication and alignment are critical when working with a team that spans backgrounds and borders.
[9:52] Common barriers that get in the way of collaboration, as observed working with teams across EMEA, APAC, and the Americas.
[13:50] The practical solutions that can help multicultural, distributed teams overcome communication barriers.
LINKS:
www.inclusioninprogress.com/podcast
www.linkedin.com/company/inclusion-in-progress
Download our Distributed Work Models E-Book to learn how to find the distributed work model that enables your teams to perform at their best.
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Read our Forbes features on Ways to Support Employee Mental Wellbeing, What Self Care Looks Like For Us, and How to Create Effective Online Diversity Training.
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