I just spent a day in Tokyo with my research team in Japan. The researchers in Japan have very interesting perspectives, some of which are quite different from those of the researchers in the US and Europe. Whenever I visit the team, they give me updates and I learn something new about technology and the industry. Also, one of the managers has been on a mission to create a more expressive and collaborative culture in the lab, and he's been having some success. So, we've had some very interesting team discussions that are helping me learn more about the culture too.

One of the topics we discussed on this visit was how the broader lab could make contributions in Japan and how the in-Japan researchers could make contributions outside of Japan. Needless to say, both of these require collaboration between the inside-Japan researchers and the outside-Japan researchers and business partners.

If you worked with some Japanese people, you will know that their culture is such that many people are quiet and modest, so the idea of "working globally" can cause a tinge of excitement for some. Actually, the idea of "working globally" can cause a tinge of excitement for anyone doing it for the first time.

We discussed what could make this difficult for the people who hadn't done much of it to date. One of the researchers very carefully and articulately told me about "how difficult it is for Japanese people to express their thoughts". I smiled and pointed out that he just "expressed his own thought very well". He lit up said, "I know! I'm trying!" I was very pleased.

We went into more conversation about the benefits and difficulties. I assured them that I didn't want them to "turn into Americans"! Some of them were surprised and relieved. I also told them that many of the researchers in the US were very quiet and shy, too. To this, I got a lightbulb "Oh really?!".

Overall, the researchers in Japan found it both scary and exciting and were ready to give it a shot. They understand the importance of globalization and are willing to work towards it despite the cultural challenges!  I'm excited about this, because I think their perspectives and insights will be immensely valuable to the rest of the world!

This raises the question about learning how to work with people with different backgrounds and cultures. A first step is to get to know the people and learn about the cultural differences, and there has been much work around this. But what next? Do you have to become the same as them or can you keep your own identity? I want our worldwide teams to collaborate, but it would be a real shame if we all became the same. In fact, if we did we wouldn't need to work together anymore!

What do you think about "working globally"? If you've never done it before, do you find it scary... or exciting...? If you have done it before, what were your a-ha's?