Navigating Global Teams: Insights from SoundCloud’s Tommy Barth

In today's hyper-connected world, managing global teams is becoming an essential skill for leaders across industries. As Director of Engineering at SoundCloud, Tommy Barth has spent nearly a decade navigating the complexities of global collaboration. Ahead of his upcoming appearance on Signal Boost on October 22, Barth shared some key insights into effective communication with international teams, focusing on both strategic and cultural perspectives.

Navigating Time Zones: A Core Challenge

Barth has worked with international teams for much of his career, and one of the biggest challenges he's encountered is time zone management. With team members spread across the U.S., South America, and Europe, coordinating meetings can be a logistical puzzle. "When you're working with a large time gap—8 to 10 hours—it can be hard to find a good time for collaboration," Barth explains.

The issue isn’t just scheduling but finding a time when everyone is mentally sharp. Often, meetings fall at the end of someone's workday or the very beginning of another’s, which isn't ideal for critical thinking or problem-solving. "People may have already had a long day, or they’re just waking up, and those aren’t prime hours for collaboration," he adds. This reality means team members need to be mindful of each other's energy levels and communication styles, particularly when it comes to problem-solving or making decisions.

Cultural Differences in Communication

While time zones are an obvious hurdle, cultural differences in communication are another challenge that leaders of global teams must learn to navigate. Barth emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting these differences to ensure that teams work well together.

He shares a key piece of advice: "Always assume the people you're working with have the best intent." Different cultures have different ways of expressing themselves, and what may come across as rude or abrupt in one culture may be perfectly normal in another. For example, some cultures may be more direct or reserved, while others might be more expressive or open about personal matters. Barth stresses that assuming positive intent can help diffuse any misunderstandings and create a more collaborative environment.

The Importance of Clear Communication

In addition to cultural awareness, over-communication and clarity are essential when working across time zones and cultures. "Sometimes the way you say something may be perfectly clear to you, but completely confusing to someone else—especially if English isn’t their first language," Barth notes. He recalls a humorous incident in which a colleague asked him to explain the word "funky," which Barth often used to describe a variety of situations. For someone not familiar with American slang, the word carried multiple meanings, illustrating the need to be more precise in language.

Barth suggests leaders pay special attention to how they phrase things and avoid colloquial expressions that might not translate well. Additionally, written communication—whether it's project documentation or Slack messages—should be clear and concise to avoid any ambiguity. "Do your best to say exactly what you mean," he advises, noting that clear, detailed documentation can make a significant difference in project outcomes, particularly when teams are working asynchronously.

Building Trust in Virtual Teams

Another challenge Barth highlights is building personal connections with team members, especially in a fully virtual environment. "If I haven’t met someone in person, it can be harder to work with them virtually," he admits. Without the opportunity to engage with colleagues face-to-face, it can be difficult to establish rapport, which is crucial for effective communication and teamwork.

Barth encourages leaders to make an effort to connect with team members on a personal level, even if it's just through casual conversations during virtual meetings. "Getting to know who someone is and how they carry themselves can go a long way in creating a trusting and collaborative atmosphere."

As remote and global workforces become more common, Barth’s insights offer valuable guidance for anyone looking to manage international teams effectively. Tune in to Signal Boost on October 22 to hear more from Tommy Barth on the strategic and cultural aspects of communication across global teams.