What shapes the way we see the world?
In this debrief episode of Leadership Story Talks, hosts Jerome Deroy and Julienne Ryan reflect on their conversation with intercultural communication expert Dean Foster—and unpack an essential truth for leaders today:
Culture influences far more than we realize.
Not just nationality.
Not just language.
But identity, behavior, communication, trust, and how we interpret the people around us.
And according to Jerome and Julienne, one of the best ways to understand culture is surprisingly simple:
Ask someone to tell you a story.
The Cultures We Carry
During the episode, Jerome reflects on growing up between two cultures—French and American—and how those experiences shaped not only his identity, but also the way he understands other people.
“The more I’ve noticed the things that influenced me from each culture, the more I’m able to understand other people.”
That awareness didn’t happen overnight.
It came through observation, reflection, and listening.
And that’s exactly why storytelling matters.
When people share stories about:
- their childhood,
- their family history,
- their immigration journey,
- or the traditions they grew up with,
they reveal the deeper cultural frameworks shaping how they move through the world.
Curiosity Is a Leadership Skill
One of the strongest themes in this conversation is curiosity.
Julienne describes growing up in Queens, New York—a place where cultural diversity wasn’t abstract, it was everyday life.
“One of my go-to lines growing up was: ‘How did you get here?’”
It’s a simple question. But it opens doors.
Not because leaders need to become cultural experts overnight, but because genuine curiosity builds understanding—and understanding builds trust.
In today’s fast-moving, technology-driven workplaces, that curiosity can easily disappear beneath efficiency.
Zoom meetings.
Quick updates.
Transactional communication.
But as Jerome points out:
“We’re losing a little bit of the human touch of understanding who someone is.”
And when teams don’t truly understand one another, collaboration suffers.
The Stories Behind the Accent
The conversation also revisits insights from a previous Leadership Story Talks guest, Heather Hansen, who explores how people are unconsciously judged based on accents and language differences in professional settings.
The hosts highlight an important shift in perspective:
An accent is not something to erase.
It’s evidence of experience, resilience, and identity.
“You’re repressing something about your culture and who you are.”
That reminder feels especially relevant in global organizations where diversity is often celebrated in theory—but unintentionally flattened in practice.
Real inclusion requires more than representation.
It requires listening.
Why Storytelling Matters at Work
Throughout the conversation, Jerome and Julienne return to a core belief behind Narativ’s work:
Stories help people understand each other more deeply.
When leaders invite people to share where they come from—not just professionally, but personally—they create opportunities for empathy, alignment, and trust.
In Narativ workshops, participants are often encouraged to reflect on:
- family history,
- defining experiences,
- cultural influences,
- and inherited values.
The result?
People begin to understand not only their coworkers—but themselves.
“My grandparents had to go through war, immigration, struggle… and now here I am reaping the benefits.”
Those realizations change how we communicate.
Spend Time to Save Time
One of the most practical takeaways from the episode comes near the end, when Julienne shares a phrase that perfectly captures the heart of the conversation:
“Spend time to save time in the end.”
In other words:
The investment leaders make in understanding people pays dividends later.
Because when difficult moments arise—as they inevitably do—relationships built on understanding become essential.
A Simple Challenge
As the episode closes, Jerome offers a challenge:
Get to know the people around you more deeply.
Ask questions.
Listen carefully.
Invite stories.
Because culture isn’t something abstract happening “out there.”
It’s already in every room we enter.
Want More Leadership Story Talks?
Listen to the podcast with Dean Foster HERE
Check out the Listening Lab here ~ LISTENING LAB
Narativ’s online course in partnership with New Mexico State University Global Campus:
Lead With Your Story (self-paced, on-demand course)
Podcast listeners get 25% off – Use code NARATIV → Register Here
Learn more about how to leverage Narativ’s storytelling method for your pitch and sales team: Download our free e-book, or you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call with Jerome.
