Mentoring Across Cultures with Empathy and Curiosity

In today’s workplace, mentoring often means working with people from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. And that’s a good thing—diversity brings fresh ideas, new perspectives, and a deeper understanding of the world. But it also means mentors need to be more intentional about how they connect and communicate.

Mentoring across cultures isn’t about having all the right answers—it’s about showing empathy, staying curious, and being willing to learn together. When you do, you create a relationship built on respect, trust, and shared growth.

Culture Shapes Communication—Even If We Don’t Realize It

We all carry unspoken “rules” about how to communicate. These rules often come from the culture we grew up in, and they influence everything—from how we express disagreement to how we show respect.

For example:

• In some cultures, being direct is seen as honest and helpful. In others, indirect language is more respectful and appropriate.

• In some teams, it’s common to speak up quickly in meetings. In others, waiting and listening first shows wisdom.

• Even body language—like eye contact, silence, or smiling—can mean very different things across cultures.

As a mentor, it’s important not to assume your way is the only way. Cultural awareness starts with recognizing that different isn’t wrong—it’s just different.

Start with Empathy, Not Assumptions

Empathy means putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. It’s about listening to understand, not listening to fix or judge. When you mentor someone from a different background, begin with these simple steps:

• Ask open-ended questions like:

  • “How do you prefer to receive feedback?” or

  • “What’s something about your background or work experience that’s important to you?”

• Pay attention to their comfort zone. If they seem quiet in a group, offer one-on-one conversations. If they hesitate before responding, give them space rather than rushing to fill the silence.

• Acknowledge differences respectfully. You might say: “I’ve noticed our communication styles are a little different—let’s talk about how we can make sure we’re both comfortable.”

These small moments build trust and open the door for honest, respectful dialogue.

Stay Curious—There’s Always More to Learn

You don’t have to be an expert in every culture to be a great mentor. What matters more is your attitude. When you stay curious and open-minded, your mentee will feel safe to share who they are.

Ask questions without judgment. For example:

• “In your past work experience, how was mentoring approached?”

• “Are there cultural values or traditions that influence how you view leadership or teamwork?”

• Be open about your own learning. You might say:

• “I’m still learning about how culture affects communication, so please let me know if I ever miss something important.”

• Read, listen, and learn. Explore articles, podcasts, or books about global leadership and cultural intelligence. Every bit of learning helps you become a more inclusive mentor.

(Bonus Tip: Check out the Cultural Competency Guide in my book, Mentoring Blueprint. You'll find it in the Ready-Made Toolkit.)

Look for Shared Values and Experiences

Yes, you and your mentee may have different backgrounds—but that doesn’t mean you can’t find common ground. Look for shared experiences:

• Have you both faced challenges breaking into a leadership role?

• Have you both worked in fast-paced environments?

• Do you both value integrity, learning, or making a difference?

When you focus on shared values, you create connection—without minimizing the importance of your differences.

Be Willing to Adjust Your Style

Mentoring is a relationship, not a formula. What works for one person may not work for another—and cultural context plays a big part in that.

You might need to:

• Give more background before offering feedback

• Choose written communication instead of verbal at times

• Slow down your pace to match someone’s learning style

• Let them lead the agenda for your sessions

Being flexible doesn’t mean lowering the bar. It means raising the level of trust—so growth can happen more easily.

Final Thought

Cross-cultural mentoring is one of the most powerful ways to grow—both for you and your mentee. It challenges you to look beyond your own lens and see the world through someone else’s eyes. That’s where real leadership begins.

When you mentor with empathy and curiosity, you create a space where people feel seen, heard, and valued—not just for what they do, but for who they are. And that kind of mentoring? It has the power to change lives.

Coming Up Next: In our next post, we’ll explore how to mentor someone when your own experience doesn’t match theirs. You don’t have to be an expert in every area to be a great mentor—sometimes, the best support is showing up with humility, encouragement, and a willingness to grow together.