As organizations scale across geographies, fostering collaboration between teams in different time zones requires more than just tools—it demands intentional design. In this talk, I’ll share practical strategies for creating alignment and seamless communication in distributed teams, drawing from real-world experiences working across engineering, data science, and product teams in the U.S. and Europe. We’ll explore how to replicate the serendipity of office interactions, fostering connection without forcing constant synchronous meetings. I’ll also introduce a Systems Thinking approach, ensuring that communication structures align with organizational goals rather than becoming process for process’s sake. One of the most impactful frameworks we’ve implemented is a User Manual for Communication Styles, helping engineers and cross-functional teams better understand how to work together effectively. We’ll discuss how to balance asynchronous and synchronous communication, respecting both time zone and language differences while avoiding inefficiencies that slow teams down. By the end of this session, you’ll walk away with actionable insights on scaling global teams while preserving agility, trust, and focus on outcomes.