Working Across Different Perspectives

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When an international team began working on a community arts project, its members initially assumed that everyone shared the same expectations about meetings and deadlines. Some participants preferred to discuss ideas informally before making decisions, while others wanted written agendas and clear responsibilities. At first, these differences caused frustration. Rather than labeling one approach as more professional, the project coordinator invited everyone to explain their preferred working styles. The team agreed to distribute an agenda in advance but leave time for open discussion. Members also learned to ask clarifying questions instead of interpreting silence or disagreement as disrespect. Over several weeks, the atmosphere improved and the project moved forward. The coordinator concluded that intercultural competence involves curiosity, flexibility and an awareness that individual preferences cannot always be explained by nationality alone.