Leading Multicultural Teams with Andrea Fleischfresser

Kristen and Mike sit down with Andrea Fleischfresser, an executive coach with over 20 years of experience in HR and coaching. Andrea shares her journey from working in Italy to building her coaching practice in the US, where she discovered that cultural backgrounds significantly influence leadership styles and workplace dynamics. Through her work with clients from diverse cultures, Andrea has observed how deeply ingrained cultural norms affect everything from communication styles to feedback delivery and meeting participation. She explains why some leaders struggle when relocating to different countries - not because they lack skills, but because leadership expectations vary dramatically across cultures. Whether you're managing a global team or working with colleagues from different backgrounds, this conversation offers practical insights to help navigate cultural differences and become a more effective leader.

Highlights:

• Andrea's international experience in Italy shaped her understanding of cross-cultural leadership challenges
• Cultural backgrounds influence workplace behaviors even for second or third-generation immigrants
• American workplace culture values individualism and task orientation, while other cultures prioritize relationships and collective decision-making
• Americans use "low context" communication (direct), while many Asian, South American and Southern European cultures use "high context" communication (indirect)
• What looks like disengagement to an American might be respectful listening in another culture
• Historical contexts (agrarian vs. hunter-gatherer societies) may have influenced Eastern and Western cultural values
• In relationship-based cultures, trust comes from personal connection; in American culture, trust is built on reliability
• Feedback styles vary widely - some cultures are very direct, while Americans often use the "sandwich" approach
• Leaders should ask team members "How can I best support you?" rather than applying one-size-fits-all approaches
• Understanding your own cultural biases is essential for effective cross-cultural leadership

About Andrea:

Andrea Fleischfresser, MCC is an Executive & Leadership Coach and Corporate Facilitator with 20 years of experience in HR and Coaching. She specializes in helping leaders maximize their strengths, improve team performance, and achieve goals through increased trust, cohesion, and collaboration. With over two decades of international experience, Andrea offers a unique perspective on effective global leadership, shaped by her deep understanding of diverse cultural landscapes. She is a Master Certified Coach (MCC) recognized by the International Coaching Federation.

Connect with Andrea:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreafleischfresser
• Website: https://www.destinationyoucoaching.com

Podcast Website: www.loveandleadershippod.com
Instagram: @loveleaderpod

Follow us on LinkedIn!
Kristen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenbsharkey/
Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-s-364970111/

Learn more about Kristen's leadership coaching and facilitation services: http://www.emboldify.com