Harvard Business Review LogoAugust 3, 2026Illustration by Iryna KorshakSummary. People from different cultures often have fundamentally different assumptions about what makes advice helpful, respectful, and supportive. New research shows that Americans tend to value adviceConsider three scenarios in which a leader gives advice to a colleague:
What to Consider Before Giving Advice on a Global Team
People from different cultures often have fundamentally different assumptions about what makes advice helpful, respectful, and supportive. New research shows that Americans tend to value advice that preserves the recipient’s autonomy, Indians prefer clear and directive recommendations that signal commitment, and Chinese favor advice that explores multiple possible paths and acknowledges complexity. Leaders who recognize and adapt to these differing expectations can build trust, strengthen mentoring relationships, and improve collaboration across global teams by making the intent behind their advice explicit rather than assuming one style works for everyone.
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