こんにちは、freeeでエンジニアをしているtonyです。
この記事は、freee DEI アドベントカレンダー「私とDEI」19日目の記事です。

When I joined freee two years ago as a Kenyan engineer, I stepped into a world that was both exciting and unfamiliar. Moving to Japan and working in an environment with a different culture, language, and work style presented challenges I hadn’t anticipated. For example, I often struggled with understanding unspoken workplace norms and navigating a language barrier that sometimes made expressing my ideas challenging. Yet, what has stood out to me most on this journey is how empathy and collaboration have been invaluable tools for building connections and thriving in a cross-cultural workplace.

Learning the Power of Listening

One of the first lessons I learned at freee was the importance of active listening. In team meetings, I often found myself struggling to fully understand conversations conducted primarily in Japanese. Initially, I was hesitant to ask for clarification, fearing it might slow the team down. Over time, I realized that my colleagues appreciated my efforts to engage and valued my perspective. By expressing a genuine interest in understanding, I not only improved my communication skills but also built trust within my team.

This experience taught me that listening isn’t just about understanding words—it’s about creating a space where everyone feels heard and valued. Empathy starts with the willingness to listen deeply, even when language or cultural barriers make it difficult. One memorable instance was during a team discussion where I asked for repeated clarification, which led to a breakthrough in understanding a complex project requirement.

Bridging Cultural Gaps Through Empathy

Coming from Kenya, I was accustomed to a more direct style of communication. In Japan, I encountered a culture that places a high value on subtlety and indirect expressions. Misunderstandings occasionally arose, especially in situations where I interpreted politeness as agreement or approval.

Rather than becoming frustrated, I chose to approach these moments with curiosity. For instance, during a miscommunication about project deadlines, I took the time to learn more about how my team preferred to communicate expectations, which helped us align better moving forward. I began asking questions like, “How can I better understand what my colleague means?” or “What cultural context might I be missing here?” This shift in perspective allowed me to empathize with my colleagues and adapt my communication style to foster smoother interactions.

For example, during a project review, a team member’s feedback seemed overly vague to me at first. Instead of assuming the feedback lacked substance, I asked clarifying questions and discovered that their suggestions were rooted in careful thought and consideration. This moment underscored the value of approaching differences with patience and an open mind.

Collaborative Problem-Solving

One of my most rewarding experiences at freee was working on a cross-departmental project to streamline a key feature of our software. The team included individuals with diverse professional backgrounds and perspectives. Initially, aligning everyone’s ideas and priorities seemed daunting.

However, we succeeded by focusing on our shared goal rather than our differences. We established a culture of collaboration where every team member’s input was valued. I contributed by sharing insights from my engineering experience and offering alternative approaches based on my perspective as someone with a different cultural and professional background. At the same time, I learned a great deal from my colleagues’ expertise and their approach to problem-solving.

Through this process, I realized that diversity isn’t just about representation; it’s about leveraging different viewpoints to create better outcomes. One outcome of this collaborative effort was a feature redesign that improved user experience significantly by combining innovative ideas from all team members. Empathy played a crucial role here, as it enabled us to appreciate each other’s strengths and find common ground.

Building a Culture of Inclusion

As part of freee’s DEI initiative, I’ve also had the opportunity to contribute to discussions on fostering a more inclusive workplace. These conversations have reinforced the importance of empathy in creating an environment where everyone feels they belong. Sharing my own experiences as a Kenyan in Japan has sparked meaningful exchanges with colleagues, many of whom have shared their own challenges and perspectives.

By embracing empathy and collaboration, I’ve learned that inclusion is not a one-time effort—it’s an ongoing process of understanding and supporting each other. Whether it’s through small acts like checking in with a teammate or larger initiatives like improving company policies, every step counts toward building a stronger, more connected workplace.

Moving Forward

My journey at freee has been one of growth, both personally and professionally. The lessons I’ve learned in empathy and collaboration have not only helped me navigate the challenges of working in a different cultural context but have also enriched my life in countless ways.

As I look to the future, I’m excited to continue contributing to freee’s mission and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone’s voice is heard. I hope my story inspires others to embrace empathy and collaboration as powerful tools for building bridges across cultures and creating meaningful connections. These tools not only strengthen workplace dynamics but also enrich personal growth in ways that transcend professional boundaries.