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Canadian workplace etiquette: What your technical skills can't teach you
Published 19 days ago • 3 min read
Hello Reader, I still remember the frustration in my father's voice during those early years in Alberta. He'd come to Canada as a general manager at a large oil company - a senior leader with a proven track record from Trinidad. But despite his title and experience, he found himself constantly having to prove his capabilities.
People looked at him as coming from a tiny Caribbean island - maybe even an irrelevant country compared to Canada. Never mind his experience. Never mind his results.
But the bigger challenge? Leadership in Trinidad looked completely different than leadership in Canada.
Back home, work relationships were personal, almost familial. You'd "lime" together after work, building deep trust. Meetings were communal and energetic - people would build on ideas, interrupt with enthusiasm, talk over each other. That was engagement.
In Canada, that same style read as dominating the conversation. Canadian meetings had different rules: wait your turn, don't interrupt, keep your tone measured. More formal. Slightly more transactional.
My father was an incredibly skilled professional who'd earned his position. But he was learning a whole new set of unwritten rules while fighting against assumptions about his competence based on where he came from.
That experience shaped my career. Today, as a leadership trainer on communication skills and workplace etiquette, I work with international professionals navigating these exact challenges. And what I've learned is this: technical skills get you in the door, but understanding how to communicate, collaborate, and lead in the Canadian context is what helps you thrive.
The Hidden Curriculum of Canadian Workplaces
Canadian workplace culture has distinct characteristics that can feel counterintuitive:
Collaboration over hierarchy. Leaders are expected to seek input and build consensus. Asking "What do you think?" isn't weakness - it's valued leadership. Input from all levels is expected, and silence isn't interpreted as agreement or respect.
Direct communication, delivered politely. You're expected to be direct about your accomplishments and capabilities. If you're from a culture where humility means letting your work speak for itself, this can feel like bragging. In Canada, if you don't say it directly, we assume you don't have it.
Transparency builds trust. In some cultures, covering up mistakes protects relationships. In Canada, addressing errors directly - while still being respectful - is how you build credibility.
These aren't universal workplace truths. They're specifically Canadian cultural expectations - and they're rarely spelled out explicitly.
Companies have responsibilities too. Creating truly inclusive environments means explicitly teaching what's implicit, creating psychological safety for different communication styles, and providing real mentorship. As I learned mentoring with CIBC's International Professionals Network, peer support is essential to success.
My Work in This Space
Over the past year, I've worked with international professionals across sectors:
With CPA Ontario, I facilitated leadership scenarios exploring how collaborative leadership works in practice - how you maintain authority while inviting input, and how transparency builds trust rather than exposing weakness.
At the Canadian Immigrant Fair and ReDefined, I focused on the job search itself - which looks different in Canada than elsewhere. It's about understanding interview etiquette: the firm handshake with eye contact, talking about your accomplishments directly, asking questions to show genuine interest (not just answering them). I've seen exceptional candidates rejected as "not the right fit" simply because they didn't understand these unwritten expectations.
As AI handles more technical tasks, human skills (communication, adaptability, cultural intelligence) become more valuable. These aren't "soft skills." I call them essential skills.
This Week on My Podcast: My Costly Communication Mistake
Speaking of communication mistakes, here's a personal (and slightly embarrassing) story about one of my biggest professional mistakes.
New Episode: I Lost My Dream Job Because of One Email
Fresh out of college, I nailed an interview with a VP of Marketing at one of Canada's most prominent job search websites. The job was practically mine... until I sent a "strongly worded" follow-up email after three weeks of waiting. That one emotional message cost me the opportunity.
This episode is about something we all struggle with: managing frustration and communicating professionally when emotions run high. I'm sharing three practical strategies that will save you from making the same costly mistake.
Available on Boosted – from Unpolished to Promoted, wherever you get your podcasts.
Ready to Strengthen Your Professional Presence?
If you're a leader investing in your team, I'm launching something that addresses these challenges:
10-Week Workplace Etiquette & Leadership Development Cohort Launching March 3, 2026
This comprehensive program is designed for professionals at all levels - from those navigating cultural transitions to established leaders refining their presence.
What You'll Get:
Weekly 90-minute live virtual sessions (expert training + group coaching)
10 weeks: 8 weeks core training + 2 weeks optional group coaching
Every Tuesday, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM ET
Perfect for: International professionals, emerging leaders, and teams wanting to master the unwritten rules of workplace success.
Every professional I work with has a story like my father's - different details, same underlying challenge. You're not alone in this.
If this resonates with you, I'd love to hear about your experience. Reply to this email or connect with me on LinkedIn. Let's keep this conversation going.
Subscribe for tips on handling workplace challenges, building communication and social skills, and exclusive course updates. Hear success stories from professionals, perfect for young professionals and leaders aiming to sharpen their skills and foster respect.
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