Episode 130
How Leaders Build Trust Across Cultures
Why Listening, and Clear Communication Builds Trust Across Borders
Episode summary
In Episode 130 of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast, host Sannah Vinding talks with Jessica Chang, Distribution Sales Manager at MEAN WELL USA, about how leaders build trust, communicate clearly, and navigate cultural expectations inside the global electronics supply chain. With more than 20 years in distribution and power electronics, Jessica understands the realities of aligning headquarters in Taiwan, distributors in the United States, and customers who need clarity to act.
She shares how cultural differences influence communication, why leaders need to slow down before acting, how to simplify complex programs for local markets, and why listening has become her strongest leadership habit.
This conversation is built for leaders who work across borders, support distributors, and want to communicate with confidence in multicultural environments.
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You Will Learn
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How to communicate clearly across cultures when people are not always direct
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How to repeat and reframe messages so global teams align on the same goal
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How to simplify complex headquarters programs into clear steps for customers and distributors
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How to manage urgency by pushing back on unrealistic timelines and explaining the why
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How listening first becomes a core leadership habit that builds trust and buy in
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How to connect daily work in electronics and power to real world impact that motivates teams
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Why younger talent needs time to think through problems, not only search for fast answers
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Key takeaways
Trust Is Built Through Clear and Consistent Communication
Cultural norms influence how people give and receive information. Jessica explains why leaders must communicate expectations clearly, repeat directions when needed, and ensure mutual understanding when language or culture creates distance.
“When you work with different cultures, being clear, honest, and respectful is very important.”
Simplifying Complexity Helps Teams Move Faster
Global programs often include layers of steps or requirements that overwhelm regional teams. Jessica shares how she condensed a 10-step headquarters program into a simple, clear 4-step version that customers could understand and adopt.
“When I deliver the same message the same way, the customer gets lost. I have to simplify it so they can take action.”
Urgency Means Different Things Across Cultures
Asian business culture often demands immediate action, while U S teams require time to communicate and execute. Jessica describes how she negotiates realistic timelines without damaging relationships.
“I explain why I need more time. Not to resist, but to make sure we do it right the first time.”
Listening First Makes Leaders More Effective
Jessica reflects on her shift from telling people what to do to asking what they think first. Listening reveals what teams need, uncovers gaps, and builds trust that lasts.
“A good salesperson is not always the best talker. Sometimes the best skill is being a good listener.”
Why this matters
Leaders across electronics, manufacturing, and supply chain operate in multicultural environments every day. Miscommunication, mismatched expectations, and urgency gaps create friction that slows teams down and strains relationships. Leaders who communicate clearly, simplify complexity, and build trust across cultures help teams move faster with less stress.
“Cross cultural leadership requires clarity, patience, and the willingness to slow down before moving forward.”
Episode highlights
How Cultural Differences Shape Leadership
- Jessica explains how Western and Eastern communication styles differ and why leaders must adapt without losing clarity.
How to Translate Global Expectations Without Creating Confusion
- From program rollouts to distributor targets, Jessica shows how to turn complexity into simple steps teams can act on.
Why Trust Drives Long-Term Partnerships
- Trust builds slowly and must be protected. Jessica shares how she has nurtured distributor relationships for more than 20 years.
The Real Impact of Slowing Down
- Slowing down before responding improves decisions, reduces mistakes, and prevents everything from becoming an emergency.
How to Support Younger Talent in Electronics
- Jessica describes why new generations need time to think, process, and understand the problem before jumping to answers.
Practical Tip
Create a simple communication framework for cross cultural teams:
- Say the message clearly
- Repeat it in a different way
- Add written confirmation
- Ask for clarity and alignment
This helps teams avoid miscommunication and speeds up execution across borders.
About the guest
Jessica Chang
Distribution Sales Manager at MEAN WELL USA, Inc
Jessica Chang is a Distribution Sales Manager at MEAN WELL USA, INC., with more than 20 years of experience in the power electronics industry. Based in Fremont, California, she has built her career at MEAN WELL since 2005, progressing from a sales role into distribution leadership and playing a key part in growing channel partnerships across North America.
In her current role, Jessica focuses on developing and managing strategic relationships with distributors, supporting their design-in efforts, and aligning MEAN WELL’s switching power supply solutions with customer needs in a wide range of applications. Colleagues and partners know her for her responsiveness, long-term mindset, and commitment to mutual success.
Before joining MEAN WELL, Jessica worked as a Financial Analyst at Flash Electronics, where she strengthened her analytical, forecasting, and business planning skills, experience that still informs her data-driven approach to sales and account management today.
Who this episode is for
This episode is built for:
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- Leaders managing multicultural teams
- Distribution and channel managers
- Supply chain and operations leaders
- Electronics and manufacturing professionals
- Managers working with Taiwan, China, EMEA, or APAC teams
- Anyone wanting to improve cross cultural communication
What you will be able to do after listening
After listening to Episode 130, you will be able to:
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- Communicate more clearly across cultures
- Build trust with distributors and partners
- Slow down before responding to urgent requests
- Translate complex programs into simple actions
- Listen more effectively as a leadership habit
- Support global teams with respect and clarity
- Navigate cultural expectations with confidence
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Sager Electronics is a leading North American distributor of Interconnect, Power, and Electromechanical products, and a trusted provider of custom solutions. With more than 135 years of innovation and service, Sager connects technology and people through its Distributing Confidence business model, combining operational excellence, engineering expertise, and a nationwide network of distribution and service centers.
Learn more about how Sager Electronics delivers quality components and solutions at sager.com
This episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast is sponsored by Sager Electronics.
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