Overcoming Cultural Barriers to Confident Communication

Have you ever wondered what it really takes to reinvent yourself in a brand-new culture, and how that experience can transform your confidence and communication? This week on Speaking with Confidence, I dive deep into this question with our incredible guest, Ana Denis, a public speaking and communication coach, TEDx organizer, and the brilliant author behind “Reinvento.” This episode is all about starting over, building your identity from the ground up, and the hidden challenges and surprising rewards of trying to fit in while staying authentically you. I had the privilege of speaking with Ana Denis, who shares her personal story of moving from Russia to the Netherlands, tackling cultural differences, and what it’s like learning to communicate sometimes literally in a whole new language and set of values. We dug into Ana Denis’s journey as both an entrepreneur and a newcomer, where she had to face the reality of feeling like a “professional idiot” (her words!), admitting you don’t know anything, and letting go of the ego to start learning from scratch. We talk about how language and cultural differences aren’t just logistical challenges they hit at the core of your sense of belonging and your identity. Ana Denis has been there, felt the friction between collectivist and individualist cultures, and had to let go of the comfort of the familiar to build a new home, both personally and professionally. Some of what we cover in this episode: The shock of cultural differences even within Europe and how they challenge your worldview Why learning the local language goes far beyond practicality and is a gateway to true connection and trust Ana Denis’s personal journey of losing her safety net, building from scratch, and finding belonging in the expat community The role of asking questions, embracing not knowing, and letting go of ego when starting over Gendered societal messages and their impact on women’s confidence and willingness to speak up at work The danger of labels cultural, political, and personal and how they limit genuine human connection How to build real influence and trust, both as a speaker and as a newcomer in a different country The power of directness, consensus, and open dialogue in Dutch culture, and what we can learn from it The importance of active listening, curiosity, and putting relationships first regardless of status or background This conversation is packed with practical wisdom for anyone facing a big transition, working across cultures, or just wanting to show up with more clarity and confidence in their communication. If you’re ready to stop playing small, question the narratives you’ve been told, and actually reinvent how you show up, this episode is for you. We also talk about where you can find Ana Denis’s work, including her book “Reinvento” and the Reinvento Club for those ready to build communication skills or begin again in a new place. Tune in for heartfelt stories, actionable advice, and maybe a little push to take your own next bold step. Your voice matters and so does how you reinvent it. Connect with Ana: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-denis/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIAZJzumdHkVbD5913kBQDA Website: https://anadenis.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices