Proactivity Comes from Ownership, Not Geography

 

I often hear this feedback from founders and team leads:

“Our offshore team isn’t proactive.”

But when I ask a few more questions — about structure, inclusion, and leadership — I usually discover something deeper:

Their offshore team isn’t set up to succeed.

They’re expected to take initiative without being given ownership.

The Truth About Offshore “Proactivity”

Let’s be honest — most offshore teams aren’t brought into the full picture.

They’re assigned tasks, not outcomes.

They’re trained on tools, but not context.

They’re expected to support, but not lead.

And when proactivity doesn’t show up, leadership assumes it’s a limitation.

It’s not.

Proactivity is not a personality trait.

It’s a product of environment.

It grows when people feel trusted, included, and safe to speak up.

If your offshore team seems reactive, ask yourself:

• Have they been trained with the same level of clarity as your local team?

• Do they understand the why behind the work — or just the checklist?

• Have you ever invited them to challenge an idea, or lead an initiative?

Real Proactivity Comes from Ownership

When people have ownership, they care differently.

They problem-solve. They anticipate. They speak up.

It has nothing to do with timezone or location — and everything to do with leadership.

Here’s what that looks like in action:

• Inclusion in planning — not just execution

• Space to contribute — not just report

• Accountability with support — not micromanagement

When you build systems that treat offshore teams like true partners, they stop waiting for instructions. They start creating value.

A Shift in Mindset

The next time you find yourself thinking, “They’re not proactive,” try this reframing instead:

➡️ Have I given them the trust and context needed to step up?

➡️ What barriers have I unknowingly created by treating them differently?

➡️ What would change if they were seen as part of the core team — not an extension?

Because at the end of the day — proactivity doesn’t come from geography.

It comes from leadership.

And leadership is global now.

⸻

If you need help building a stronger, more empowered offshore team — reach out.

I work with founders and leaders to create high-trust, high-performance teams across borders.

📩 Contact Nikita Mercado to start a conversation.

#OffshoreLeadership #GlobalTeams #PeopleFirst #OwnershipCulture #LeadershipInsights