In multicultural teams, the most surprising tensions often come not from distant cultures—but from those that feel closest to our own.

In this episode of The Multicultural Leader, host Andrés Molina explores a fascinating paradox in cross-cultural dynamics: why we tend to be more critical of colleagues from cultures that seem similar to ours. Whether it’s Americans working with Canadians, Germans with Austrians, or Dutch with Germans, surface-level similarities often lead to false assumptions and unmet expectations.

You’ll learn:

• Why we unconsciously expect people from similar cultures to “know better”

• How small differences in communication, decision-making, and formality can trigger outsized frustration

• The psychology of projected norms and why similarity breeds disappointment

• A real-world case study of Dutch–German collaboration gone wrong—and how it was turned around

• Practical strategies for avoiding this trap in international teams

We’ll also explore the risks of assuming alignment just because of shared language, region, or professional style—and how this “invisible gap” can undermine trust and performance.

🔍 Topics covered include:

• Cultural proximity vs. cultural expectations

• How to surface unspoken assumptions before they create conflict

• The role of cultural training, even among “similar” teams

• Creating safe spaces to discuss friction and redefine norms

• Building trust when subtle differences feel like personal missteps

This episode is essential listening for global managers, HR professionals, team leaders, and anyone navigating collaboration across cultures—especially when those cultures seem familiar.

Tune in to learn how to lead with curiosity, prevent judgment, and turn cultural near-misses into opportunities for deeper trust.