Ms.

Kim Hue, a junior architect from Vietnam, feels upset and stressed after receiving a harsh email from
her Swedish team leader, Mr. Grisham Anthony.
Kim initially enjoyed working with her cooperative team members from Sweden, the U.S., and Germany,
who respected her ideas and accommodated her despite the time difference.
Mr. Anthony's direct and public confrontation about project issues via email shocks and embarrasses Kim,
as she values privacy and avoids confrontation.
Kim expresses her distress to her boss, Mr. Duong Hou, and considers quitting the project due to Mr.
Anthony's communication style.
Mr. Hou explains to Kim that Western communication tends to be direct and straightforward, unlike the
subtle and indirect approach Kim prefers.
Mr. Hou advises Kim to ignore Mr. Anthony's communication style and continue working diligently,
reassuring her of her competence.
Kim acknowledges the challenge of interpreting tone and facial expressions in email communication but
accepts it as part of teamwork.
The case highlights cultural differences in communication styles between Western and Asian cultures,
with Westerners being more direct and Asians more indirect.
Understanding and navigating these cultural differences are essential for effective collaboration in global
virtual teams.
Effective leadership involves recognizing and addressing cultural differences in communication styles to
foster understanding and teamwork.