Building Trust Across Cultures with Xiangyao Bowler

In this episode of the Hidden Currents podcast, host Paraic Mac Donnchadha speaks with Xiangyao Bowler of East Star Exports about building trust and lasting relationships in cross-cultural business, particularly between Western companies and China. Xiangyao shares practical insights from her experience supporting international firms to navigate cultural differences, improve communication, and overcome misunderstandings that can stall partnerships. The conversation highlights why trust in Chinese business is relationship-driven, developed over time through respect, transparency, and shared value. This show is sponsored by the Intergroup Consulting Method, the quickest, most powerful and effective way to turn around relationships that have soured among groups at work, or among groups that have got bogged down in delivering a major project. We use this method to help organizations, in only two days, to replace resistance, rancour and resentment with mutual trust, shared resolve and new hope for the future. This results in smoother functioning teams, higher retention rates, and team happiness. To find out more, visit our website at: www.intergroupconsulting.com