INTHEBLACK September/October 2025 - Magazine - Page 65
business. We’re all-in for the team because we believe
in ‘us, not me’ — working together as one to do what’s
best, not what’s easiest.”
It is best not to assume that everyone works the
same way, says Catherine Friday, global government
and infrastructure industry leader at EY. Recognise
that there are as many different styles within cultures
as there are between them.
“What works for effective team dynamics generally
also applies to cross-cultural leadership,” she says.
“The key difference is that as a leader, you need to
acknowledge your own potential cultural blind spots.”
Being flexible about time zones can also make a world
of difference to getting the work done, Friday believes.
“Being on the east coast of Australia means I’m often
in a time zone that’s inconvenient for most others,”
she says. “So, if I truly want the team to be engaged,
involved and to feel that I value their contributions,
I need to be the one who stays flexible on scheduling.”
MAKE NEW EMPLOYEES FEEL VALUED
Michael Malakonas FCPA, executive general manager
for corporate services at Good Shepherd Australia
and New Zealand, places high value on global teams.
He notes better access to a bigger talent pool, the
advantage of 24-hour work cycles due
to different time zones, as well as cost
efficiencies and increased productivity.
When he onboards a new team
member, regardless of where they are
based, Malakonas prioritises an in-person
meeting with them. Having finance
and IT teams spread across South-East
Asia and India, he saysbeing able to
visit people in their own country, and
experience their culture and hospitality,
is crucial to creating a trusting and
respectful relationship.
“Having people from a variety of
cultures improves innovation and
brings perspectives you’d never
otherwise have access to,” he says.
“Being able to sit and have a coffee
and look someone in the eye is
invaluable. It lets them know they are
part of a broader team, and they are
valued,” says Malakonas.
“The most important thing you can
do is to make people feel welcomed,
valued and heard.” ●
READ
an article about
embedding success
into employee
onboarding
UPSKILL
with CPA Australia’s
Global Collaboration
online course
LISTEN
to a podcast
episode on lifting
communication skills
with humour
GLOBAL GAME CHANGERS intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au 65
