Lessons from Three Borders: How Global Experience Redefines Leadership and Connection

The Borderless Classroom

Having led across multiple borders, from Arizona to Asia, I’ve learned that global leadership isn’t about geography, it’s about mindset. As a former mayor of a U.S. border city, Director of the Arizona Department of Commerce, and Chief of Staff at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, I saw how borders can divide economies but unite opportunity. Today, as CEO of Intermestic Partners, an international business advisory firm founded in 2011 that specializes in cross-border trade and development, I help global companies turn those boundaries into bridges.

Adapting Across Cultures

Each culture shapes business in distinct ways. In the U.S., directness drives efficiency. In China and India, relationships build trust before transactions. I once lost a contract in Hong Kong by pushing too hard for speed—only to later learn that patience earns respect. (Learning moment: that failed deal became the gateway to deeper, long-term partnerships.)

Flexibility became my most valuable skill. When leading a project in India, I learned that hierarchy wasn’t resistance, it was respect. Adjusting to local dynamics turned initial frustration into teamwork that thrived on clarity and trust.

Communication is Leadership

Whether across an ocean or a screen, communication defines leadership. Learning even a few words of Mandarin or Hindi changed how I connected with teams. It wasn’t fluency, it was effort, that built bridges. Active listening proved just as vital as speaking up. Remote collaboration tools like Zoom and Slack help, but empathy and timing are still the most powerful translators.

Lessons for a Global Future

Working internationally taught me that effective leaders think in plural: many markets, many voices, one mission. The future belongs to those who can listen across borders and act with purpose.

If your organization is exploring international expansion or partnership opportunities, let’s collaborate. Learn how Intermestic Partners, working with top national and global companies, can help you navigate cross-border strategy with confidence.

Call to Action: Global business isn’t about crossing borders, it’s about connecting people. Reach out to Intermestic Partners to explore how we can shape your next opportunity together.