Working across time zones: a practical guide

Global teams make time zones part of daily life. The key idea is overlap: find the few hours when your working day crosses with your teammates, and save meetings and quick questions for that window.

Write messages so they can be understood without a reply. Include the context, what you need, and a clear deadline with the time zone, for example "by 3 pm UTC". This avoids waiting a full day for a clarification.

Use a shared calendar that shows everyone’s local time, and rotate inconvenient meeting times so one person does not always take the late slot.

Record important calls or take clear notes afterwards. Teammates who were asleep can catch up in minutes, and the team keeps moving while you rest.