Welcome to Season 3 of Chinwag Tuesdays 🎙️
In this episode, I’m chatting with Christopher Kong, founder of Crouching Tiger Network, about the real soft skills migrants need to succeed in Australian workplaces.
Chris was born in Melbourne, spent 17 years working across Asia (including China and Singapore), and has landed every role in his career through networking. In this honest and practical conversation, we unpack why so many skilled migrants struggle at work in Australia, even when their English and technical skills are strong.
We talk about why clear, simple communication often works better than “advanced” English, how cultural habits around silence, hierarchy, and feedback can create misunderstandings, and why working hard alone is not always enough in Australian workplace culture.
If you’re an international student, professional migrant, or anyone trying to understand how Aussies really communicate at work, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and a few lightbulb moments.
In this episode, we cover:
Why clarity matters more than perfect English
The biggest workplace mistakes migrants make in Australia
Why networking feels awkward (and how to make it easier)
How to speak up in meetings without feeling rude or uncomfortable
A simple framework to build professional relationships naturally
What reverse culture shock actually feels like
This episode is especially helpful if you’re trying to:
✔ fit into Australian workplace culture
✔ communicate more confidently at work
✔ handle tricky conversations without avoiding them
✔ understand how Aussies approach networking and visibility
Looking to improve your own Aussie English?
I offer1:1 coaching and online courses designed to help you sound more natural, build confidence, and feel at home in Australian conversations.
📲How to Contact Chris
💼 LinkedIn:https://linktr.ee/crouchingtigernetwork
🌏 Quiz (discover your strengths & weaknesses as a networker): https://ctn-sign.scoreapp.com/
🌏 Quiz (discover your strengths & weaknesses to navigate difficult situations at work): https://ctn-leap.scoreapp.com
To see what other Aussies are doing around the world, check out these episodes:
