What does it mean to lead when the rules keep changing—and every country does things differently?
In this episode, Miranda speaks with Laura Cho, an experienced senior leader who has held both country and regional HR roles across Southeast Asia.
Together, they unpack what leadership looks like in the real world of cultural complexity and organizational uncertainty.
You’ll hear:
- What surprises leaders when taking on a new foreign market
- Why “listening” isn’t enough—and how to build trust when time onsite is short
- What to do when your “great opportunity” isn’t what your team wants
- The subtle difference between being authentic and staying composed
- Practical ways to lead across regional and local expectations without losing clarity
- When external uncertainty is high—how can you still show up and support others?
Whether you’re supporting a team across countries or just trying to help people through tough times, this episode offers heartfelt leadership insights you won’t find in a management textbook.
(00:00) - (01:15) Would you enjoy leading multiple countries across Asia?
(01:16) - (03:12) When Chinese zodiac impacts your workforce planning
(03:13) - (06:02) Leading a new foreign market: what surprises leaders
(06:03) - (09:35) Why listening isn’t enough—and how to manage expectations
(09:36) - (12:43) From silence to honesty: helping your team open up
(12:44) - (15:32) Building relationships when you have limited time onsite
(15:33) - (18:28) Why it’s not “just casual talk”—and what you learn from it
(18:29) - (21:24) When you want to develop the team—but they don’t see it that way
(21:25) - (24:32) Local vs. regional: handling misalignment with care
(24:33) - (27:36) “We can’t do this”: how to respond to resistance
(27:37) - (31:33) Showing up as a leader when there’s no clear plan and uncertainty is high
(31:34) - (34:33) Authenticity vs. emotional control: the leadership balance
(34:34) - (38:03) Supporting your team emotionally—when all under great pressure
(38:04) - (41:26) Final reflections: leadership across cultures in uncertainty