Drawing on her experience as an EA in Asia, Jacelyn Ng explores how cultural nuances shape the way we work, connect, and lead across borders
From my seat as an EA in Asia working with global teams, I see how culture shapes our work every day. Asia is huge and very diverse. Work styles, words, and timing can feel different. When we understand the “why,” we partner faster, avoid friction, and show respect.
Asia is not one playbook. It is many cultures, languages, and ways of working. Still, some ideas show up often:
Respect First, Then Speed
In many Asian teams, people show strong respect for senior leaders and for the group. Steps and approvals matter. Once trust is built, things can move very fast.
What helps:
- Give context – share the “why” behind a request, not just a “what.”
- Allow time for sign-offs when possible.
Words Can Be Gentle (And Still Mean a Lot)
A direct “no” may be rare. You might hear “let me check,” “can,” “okay,” or silence. Sometimes this means “I hear you, but I need to align first.”
What helps:
- Ask simple, time-bound questions, like, “Can we confirm by Wednesday?”
- If you are unsure, check meaning with care: “Just to confirm – should I proceed with Option 1?”
Harmony Matters
People avoid public friction. Feedback often happens one-on-one. Pushback is usually solution-led.
What helps:
- Give feedback privately first.
- Praise in public, correct in private.
- Use “May I suggest…” and give options.
Calendars, Channels, and Tools May Differ
Calendars are closely managed to protect focus. Many teams use chat for quick checks and email to record decisions.
What helps:
- Use chat for speed and confirm decisions via email.
- Show times in local time with time zones.
- Send a brief with why it matters and by when.
Holidays Affect Availability
Festivals and school breaks vary across Asia. Some months are very busy. Some days are very quiet. A little care with timing goes a long way.
What helps:
- Check local public holidays before booking.
- Offer flexible dates when possible.
- Send a “kind heads-up” a week before key deadlines.
Quiet Backbones: How Asia-Based EAs Show Impact
Many EAs in Asia work quietly. We don’t shout. We deliver. We plan early. We check with the right people. We protect time. We help the team move as one.
Visibility is often about outcomes, not spotlight.
What a “quiet backbone” means:
- We plan early so others don’t feel the rush.
- We protect time so leaders can focus.
- We fix small problems before they grow.
- We build trust in private, then work moves fast in public.
As we enter into the new year, it’s a chance to reset how we show up as EAs. In Asia, that can mean setting goals like planning ahead, protecting calendars, or giving feedback with care to maintain harmony. These quiet habits of respect, clarity, and care carry real weight. There is no single “Asia way,” but when we lead with respect first, the result is the same everywhere: better choices, calmer days, and leaders who can truly focus.
Disclaimer: These views are my own and based on personal observations and conversations; they do not represent any employer. Asia is diverse – experiences vary widely across countries, companies, and teams.
