What I do
I support individuals and organizations working across cultural differences in professional contexts.
At an organizational level, I help organizations make cultural differences workable—especially when international staff or teams are involved—so misunderstandings don’t turn into friction or disengagement.
At an individual level, I work with professionals new to a cultural context to make sense of workplace culture, communication norms and expectations—without losing who they are.
In both cases, the focus is practical: helping people interpret difference more accurately, respond with intention and work together more effectively.
Ruhann Fourie
Founder | Cross Cultûra
Challenges I help navigate
Individuals
➥ Adapting to a new culture and environment
Guiding you through the challenges of adjustment so you can navigate new norms, expectations and lifestyles with confidence and ease.
➥ Communication, connection and confidence
Helping you express yourself clearly, build trust and regain professional confidence in cross-cultural interactions.
➥ Identity, growth and leadership abroad
Supporting you in finding your place, leading effectively and building a meaningful career and life across cultures.
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1. Feeling Misunderstood in Professional Settings
You may communicate clearly — yet still feel that others “don’t get you.” I help you understand the hidden cultural dynamics behind communication so you can express yourself effectively and be heard the way you intend.
2. Adapting to a New Workplace Culture
Every country — and every organization — has its own unwritten rules. I help you recognize these cultural codes and adjust with confidence, without losing your authentic self.
3. Struggling to Build Trust and Relationships
Networking, collaboration, and leadership all depend on trust — but trust means different things across cultures. I help you build credibility and rapport in ways that resonate in your new environment.
4. Experiencing Culture Shock and Frustration
The transition to a new culture can be mentally and emotionally demanding. I guide you through the adjustment curve, helping you manage expectations, reduce stress, and navigate daily life more smoothly.
5. Professional Confidence Taking a Hit
Even experienced professionals can feel uncertain or hesitant in a new culture. I help you rebuild confidence by understanding the “why” behind behaviors, so you can engage with assurance and self-awareness.
6. Misunderstandings with Colleagues or Managers
Different cultural norms for hierarchy, feedback, or teamwork can lead to confusion and tension. I help you interpret these differences and respond appropriately — maintaining professionalism and composure.
7. Difficulty Leading or Managing Local Teams
Leading people from another culture requires new perspectives on authority, motivation, and communication. I equip you with leadership strategies that align with local expectations and strengthen your impact.
8. Feeling Caught Between Two Cultures
Many expats and immigrants feel “in between” — not fully belonging anywhere. I help you integrate your cultural identities and turn that complexity into a source of strength and insight.
9. Family or Partner Struggles with Adjustment
When one person relocates, the whole family adjusts. I provide tools and frameworks to support smoother transitions and greater well-being for you and your loved ones.
10. Unclear Career Progression in a New Environment
Advancing your career abroad often requires understanding new norms of influence, visibility, and self-promotion. I help you navigate these systems strategically while staying true to your values.
Groups & Organizations
➥ Communication and connection across cultures
Bridging gaps in understanding, trust and confidence to ensure clear, respectful and effective intercultural communication.
➥ Leadership and team dynamics in global contexts
Helping leaders and teams align across cultures, strengthen collaboration and turn diversity into a strategic advantage.
➥ Global adaptation and business performance
Supporting professionals and organizations to adapt seamlessly, preserve authenticity and thrive in complex global environments.
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1. Cross-Cultural Miscommunication
Even the most capable professionals can face friction when communication styles differ. I help teams and leaders identify where messages are getting lost and develop the awareness to communicate with precision, clarity, and cultural intelligence.
2. Tension and Misalignment in Multicultural Teams
Cultural diversity can be a powerful advantage — but only when managed effectively. I work with teams to surface unspoken assumptions, strengthen trust, and turn cultural difference into a strategic asset.
3. Leadership That Doesn’t Translate Globally
What motivates a team in one culture may fall flat in another. I guide leaders in refining their leadership approach to resonate across cultures — maintaining authenticity while building influence in any context.
4. Lost Opportunities in Global Business
Cultural missteps can quietly undermine negotiations and partnerships. I equip professionals to read subtle cues, adapt to different decision-making styles, and build meaningful, profitable relationships across markets.
5. Declining Engagement in International Workforces
When people feel misunderstood or unseen, performance and morale suffer. I help organizations create culturally attuned workplaces where inclusion and motivation thrive.
6. Challenging Transitions for Global Employees
Whether relocating abroad or integrating into international teams, professionals often underestimate cultural adjustment. I provide frameworks and tools to accelerate adaptation and long-term success.
7. Inconsistent Global Service or Brand Experience
Global organizations must balance local relevance with brand consistency. I help teams navigate this tension, ensuring that cultural adaptation enhances — not dilutes — organizational identity.
8. Unconscious Bias and Hidden Cultural Filters
Even well-intentioned professionals can fall prey to bias and blind spots. I help individuals and teams recognize their cultural lenses and make more objective, inclusive decisions.
9. Lack of Confidence in Cross-Cultural Engagements
Many professionals hesitate in global interactions, unsure how to “get it right.” I provide practical tools and reflective insights to build confidence and competence in any intercultural setting.
10. Inefficiency in Global Virtual Collaboration
Virtual collaboration adds complexity to cultural difference. I help distributed teams establish shared norms, build cohesion, and communicate effectively across distance and diversity.
How I help
A reflective, practical approach to working across cultures
Living and working across cultures isn’t just about learning new customs. It requires understanding how meaning, expectations and behaviour shift across cultural contexts and how you show up within them.
My approach combines evidence-based intercultural theory with reflective practice and practical application, helping individuals and organizations translate insight into confident, grounded action in real professional situations.
What you get when we work together
- Deeper self-awareness in intercultural contexts
- Stronger cultural intelligence and interpretive skill
- Practical communication strategies for real situations
- Increased adaptability across cultural expectations
- Ongoing support as challenges arise
- Evidence-based, human-centered learning
Services
Assessments
Clarify how cultural differences are shaping behavior, communication and decision-making
What it is
Structured, evidence-based tools that help individuals and teams understand how cultural differences influence perception, communication styles and responses in real work situations.
What you get
A clear, shared frame of reference that helps people interpret difference more accurately and adjust how they work, communicate and lead across cultures.
Read more
Gain a clearer understanding of how you and others approach cultural difference at work. These assessments make invisible assumptions visible, helping individuals and teams move beyond guesswork toward more intentional, effective ways of working together in culturally diverse environments.
Training
Make cultural differences workable in everyday team interactions
What it is
Context-specific learning experiences that help teams develop shared understanding, practical communication strategies and the confidence to navigate cultural differences as part of everyday work.
What you get
Teams that communicate more clearly, anticipate misunderstandings earlier and work together more effectively across cultural expectations.
Read more
Support your teams in working across cultural differences with greater clarity and confidence. Through tailored learning experiences and applied practice, teams build practical ways of communicating, collaborating and addressing friction before it disrupts relationships or performance.
Coming 2026
Learn when you want
Online courses coming soon.
Still not sure where to start?
That’s common and completely fine. We can talk through your situation and identify an approach that fits your goals, context and budget.
What clients are saying
Insightful materials
“Ruhann has a talent for crafting insightful intercultural educational materials, reflecting his strong commitment to enhancing cultural understanding. Working with Ruhann was a cool experience.”
Rajneet C.
Intercultural Lead – BC Immigrant Services, CANADA
A must for all staff
“This level of insight training should be mandatory for any company’s staff – old and new. Intercultural training with such a personalized foundation will make anyone’s job who has to work across cultures or borders a lot easier.”
Shauna L.
CEO & Business Consultant, USA
Clarity and confidence
“My IDI report was a stark reality check about how much I overestimated my intercultural capabilities. Yet, after only one session with Ruhann I was able to adequately adapt my intercultural mindset to de-escalate a potentially high-conflict situation rooted in cultural differences.”
Ria W.
Office and HR Manager, SOUTH AFRICA
Vision
To be the go-to intercultural development partner for organizations working with multicultural teams, and for institutions committed to ensuring newcomers have a strong, supported foundation for long-term success.
Mission
To design and deliver high-quality, deeply personalized intercultural development experiences that enable individuals and organizations to navigate cultural difference with greater awareness, confidence and effectiveness.
Cross Cultûra 