This story takes me straight back to December, a few years ago, when South Africa was melting under a 35+ degree heatwave and I, in my infinite wisdom, was packing scarves and gloves I hoped were warm enough to keep me alive in Prague’s winter. Spoiler alert: they weren’t.
Being part of the EMEA Salesforce team was one of the most exciting chapters of my career. Our team stretched across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, which sounds glamorous until you’re the one flying in from Johannesburg and your “quick trip” takes 12+ hours longer than everyone else’s. By the time I arrived, tired but buzzing, it was freezing. And by “freezing,” I mean I questioned all my life choices the second I stepped out of the airport.
Then there was the taxi ride. You don’t quite realize how programmed your brain is to one side of the road until you’re hurtling down the other side at 80km/h and your knuckles turn whiter than the snow outside. But, by some miracle (and thanks to the skill of Prague’s drivers), I made it to the hotel in one piece and started unpacking.
That’s when the knock came. My colleague from Israel, big smile, even bigger energy, stood there, and it honestly felt like we’d known each other forever. No awkward small talk. No stiff introductions. Just two people who already shared a purpose, ready to hit the cobblestone streets of Prague together. And we did. Fifteen kilometres of walking later, we were frozen to the core, exhausted… and couldn’t have been happier.
I’d brought little pieces of home with me, bandanas in the South African flag, soapstone figurines of the Big 5, and even a presentation on all the beautiful things my country has to offer. (Pro tip: if you ever want to break the ice with international colleagues, show them lions and elephants. Works every time.)
What struck me most wasn’t just the magic of Prague, although, let me tell you, walking over Charles Bridge at night, seeing the artists at work, looking up at the Castle lit against the sky? Absolutely breathtaking.
What stayed with me was the team itself.
We came from different corners of the world, with different accents, customs, and ways of seeing things. But for all that diversity, we were one team. We valued the same things, integrity, hard work, accountability. We listened to each other. We respected each other’s opinions. Every single person in that room had a voice that counted, and that’s why we were a winning team.
You see, team dynamics aren’t just about having the smartest people at the table. Or about who works the fastest, or who closes the most deals. It’s about creating a space where people feel safe to speak up. Where ideas, even the wild ones, are heard and considered. Where you know that your contributions matter and that your presence makes a difference.
That trip to Prague was a beautiful reminder of why team culture matters. We didn’t just share a workload, we shared laughter at dinner, stories on tram rides, quiet moments watching street performers, and memories walking through centuries-old streets. We weren’t just co-workers. We were a team.
If you’ve ever been part of a team where your voice was ignored, where your contributions were brushed off, you know how heavy that feels. And if you’ve ever been part of a team where you felt seen, heard, and valued, you know how light you feel. How motivated you are to give your best.
I’ll never forget Prague. The ice-cold air that burned my cheeks, the golden lights of Old Town Square, the warmth of being surrounded by people who believed in me just as much as I believed in them.
And I’ll never stop advocating for this: Build teams where everyone’s voice counts. Where respect and kindness sit at the head of the table. Where culture beats ego every single time.
Because a team like that? That’s where the magic happens, whether you’re in sunny Johannesburg or under the snowy skies of Prague.
Here’s to the teams that listen, respect, and win together. And here’s to the next adventure, because there’s always another cobblestone street to explore.
— Anna