Establish clear communication protocols, embrace asynchronous collaboration, and foster a culture of trust and empathy, while also prioritizing timely conflict resolution and open communication.

When conflicts arise, I avoid chasing instant fixes—instead, I design a "conflict runway," where each voice is heard asynchronously first, through video clips, voice notes, or shared reflections. This cools heat and deepens understanding. For live resolution, I rotate meeting slots, signaling inclusivity over convenience. I also use digital empathy cues—emoji check-ins, tone guides, and recap loops—to bridge tone gaps across screens. In a dispersed world, conflict isn’t about timing but orchestrating respect across the clock.

Design for asymmetry, not just availability. 1. Default to async. Most conflict comes from unclear ownership, not time zones. Use clear briefs and decision logs to reduce friction. 2. Make decisions visible. Use tools like Slack and Notion to document—not chat. Everyone sees what changed, why, and what’s next. 3. Set response windows, not instant replies. “Available” doesn’t mean “on-call.” Align on SLAs (e.g. 24h for non-critical, 4h for blockers). 4. Empower local leads. Don’t centralize decision-making. Let regional leads move work forward without waiting for a central “yes.” 5. Cut back live meetings. Use them for alignment, not updates. Keep time sacred.

Time zone differences can breed delays and misunderstandings, so we prioritise clarity and empathy. Clear documentation and async tools reduce friction. When conflict arises, I don’t wait—we jump on a call at a mutually fair time. I also encourage a culture of assuming positive intent. Conflict isn’t the enemy—silence is. Addressing issues early, openly and respectfully keeps trust intact. And rotating meeting times shows respect for everyone’s clock, not just HQ’s.