With the rise of remote work, many of us now have the opportunity to collaborate with people around the world. While you may be convinced that your studies, your travels, or even your own multicultural background have prepared you to work on a global team, there’s more to consider than you might expect, especially if you’re new to the workforce. Here’s how to connect with your colleagues across cultures, communicate more effectively, and collaborate for success.

• Connect on a personal level. While asking your colleagues questions about their background can be a helpful way to get to know them, you should try to do some of your own research first about the countries they live in or identify with. You should also challenge your assumptions and make sure any questions you ask won’t make your colleague uncomfortable. Additionally, make sure you know how to pronounce all of your teammates’ names.
• Communicate to collaborate. To collaborate effectively, work with your colleagues to find ways that are respectful of everyone’s preferences and cultural norms. Clarify working hours with your colleagues, and keep a spreadsheet of holidays around the world. It can also be helpful to set ground rules for communication and open the door for others to share their working preferences. You may also want to use Globish — a simplified version of English used for communication purposes.

Building relationships across cultural boundaries is not a one-off exercise. It takes time, perseverance, and courage. And odds are, you will make mistakes. The key to moving forward when cultural missteps happen is to highlight what’s at stake, talk transparently to avoid grudges, and confirm humbly that you’re eager to improve and work together.