Help Me Understand My Cross-Cultural Teammates with I'Ching Thomas

Ever felt misunderstood, sidelined, or frustrated by a teammate who just sees things differently? 

Serving on a cross-cultural team on the field can be one of the most rewarding—and challenging—parts of missionary life.

In this episode, cross-cultural leadership expert I’Ching Thomas shares practical wisdom and real-life stories to help long-term teams build trust, work through cultural tension, and grow together in unity.

Whether your team is brand new or you’ve been navigating these dynamics for years, this is one conversation you’ll want to share with your whole team.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• How we can navigate cultural differences with grace and clarity
• The simple (but powerful) shift that helps us build trust on diverse teams
• Why indirect and direct communication can cause confusion—and what to do about it
• How team leadership styles vary across cultures (and why it matters!)
• Tips for creating a team culture that’s unified without losing uniqueness

Questions to Ponder as You Listen:

• Do I tend to assume someone’s personality… when it might actually be their cultural norm?
• How well do I understand my own communication style and how it impacts my team?
• Am I creating space for quieter voices to be heard on our team?
• Have I been more focused on tasks or people in how I engage my team lately?
• What’s one small step I could take to be more culturally curious and honoring this week?

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Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org

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