Discover how unexpected skills like customer service, ministry work, and home renovation became powerful assets in international business careers.
When building a career in international business, most professionals focus on developing obvious skills like language fluency, cultural competency, or global market knowledge.
But what if we told you that some of the most valuable assets in your international toolkit might already be hiding in your background, and in places you’d never expect?
From customer service experience to restaurant hospitality, and from ministry work to home renovation projects, successful international business leaders are discovering that their most unconventional experiences often become their greatest competitive advantages. We asked thought leaders to share the unexpected skills that transformed their global careers, and their answers might surprise you.
Unexpected Skills That Became Valuable in International Business
“What’s one skill or experience from your background that unexpectedly became valuable in international business?”
This is the query we sent out to business owners and employees, and below is what 10 of them had to share with us.
Customer Service Skills Transform Global Business Negotiations
What caught me off guard was my short time in customer support early in my career. I was fresh out of school and thought it was just a filler role. Spending hours on the phone with frustrated people forced me to listen, really listen. Not just to the words but to tone, silence, and hesitation.
Years later in meetings overseas, those same listening skills made all the difference. Negotiations weren’t about flashy pitches, they were about catching what wasn’t being said.
The pause before a “yes.” The side comment that revealed the real concern. That kind of awareness gave me an edge I never expected.
It sounds simple, almost boring, but it became a habit I lean on every day. Slowing down, hearing people out, adjusting in real time. It’s the reason some deals clicked when they easily could have fallen apart. Funny how the job you least expect to matter ends up shaping the way you work at the highest level.
– Alec Loeb, VP of Growth Marketing, EcoATM
Ministry Experience Builds Trust Across Cultural Divides
My decade in vocational ministry, where I mentored youth and counseled families, was surprisingly the best training for international business. It taught me how to patiently build deep, foundational trust and navigate sensitive situations where communication relies on more than just words. In real estate, especially with international clients, that ability to connect on a human level with integrity creates partnerships that overcome cultural and language gaps.
– Jeremy Schooler, Founder, Kitsap Home Pro
Triple Win Strategy Unlocks International Investment Success
My experience developing a ‘Triple Dip’ concept to reward local real estate agents on both sides of a transaction surprisingly became my key to international success. I learned to structure deals so that every partner, not just the buyer and seller, found their own compelling win, an approach that has been invaluable for building trust and aligning goals with international investors who have very different expectations.
– Paul Myers, Founder, Myers House Buyers
Active Listening: The Silent Powerhouse in Global Business
From my experience, the one skill that I never expected to be beneficial in global business is active listening. In the early stages of my career, I polished this skill with the help of diverse teams, where it was imperative to decode subtle hints and viewpoints.
In my later years of dealing with international businesses, active listening revealed its new definition – it is the catching of silent cultural signals and implicit business norms. It bridged the gap between me and my global partners, allowing me to gain their trust in the absence of a shared language or origin.
Deep listening and paraphrasing the deeper meaning my partners wanted to convey enabled me to strengthen my client base and avoid conflicts. This skill was the key differentiator in my business. It enabled me to convert confusion into an invitation to work closely, which is perhaps the most beneficial quiet strength in global business.
Dhari Alabdulhadi, CTO and Founder, Ubuy Peru
Transparent Communication Breaks Barriers in Global Markets
One skill that’s proved unexpectedly valuable in international business is my commitment to honest, transparent communication – something I developed while working with local homeowners facing stressful situations.
Whether you’re negotiating with a neighbor down the street or a partner halfway across the world, people can sense authenticity, and that focus on being upfront and genuinely listening goes a long way to building trust in any market. It’s the same approach I use to make sellers comfortable here in Alabama, and it’s opened doors with international investors who want to know they’re dealing with real people, not just another faceless company.
– Levi Larson, President & CEO, Hapa Homebuyers
French Immersion Opens Unexpected Career Opportunities Abroad
While some of my peers thought it was nerdy to go into French immersion, I made the transition after my guidance counsellor told me it would pay off in my career. Over twenty-something years later, I can generate contacts in both Quebec and France, allowing me to do HR outsourcing for internal SMBs.
My advice: pick a language you genuinely enjoy, and one that connects you to real people – because it’s those connections that end up opening doors you never expected.
– Jeremy Golan SHRM-CP, CPHR, Bachelor of Management, HR Manager, Virtual HR Hub
Home Renovation Chaos Prepares for International Partnerships
My first real estate project was renovating a home with my wife while we lived in it (complete with washing dishes in the bathtub and living in total disarray). That immersion in managing chaos, communicating under pressure, and keeping a shared vision alive turned out to be the most valuable, unexpected training for navigating complex international partnerships.
It taught me that you can build something great with anyone, anywhere, as long as you can find a way to work through the mess together.
– Matthew Slowik, Founder & President, Revival Homebuyers
Restaurant Hospitality Skills Elevate International Real Estate
My 15 years in the restaurant industry, especially aiming to exceed expectations and create memorable experiences, unexpectedly became super valuable.
Just like making sure every guest leaves happy, in international real estate, it’s about anticipating needs and adding thoughtful touches, whether it’s a stylish renovation or personalized care for an Airbnb guest near Augusta National.
That focus on the ‘guest experience’ truly transcends borders.
– Gene Martin, Founder, Martin Legacy Holdings
Mobile Home Expertise Solves Global Housing Challenges
My hands-on experience revitalizing affordable mobile homes unexpectedly became invaluable internationally. When I started advising investors from countries like Mexico and Brazil facing similar housing shortages, I could share concrete examples. [For example,] how we transformed a single-wide trailer into safe housing while maintaining affordability. This practical approach to solving local problems translated seamlessly, helping international partners visualize scalable solutions they could adapt to their own communities.
– Ian Smith, Co-Founder, We Buy SC Mobile Homes
Local Negotiation Tactics Strengthen International Investment Deals
Early on, I spent a lot of time negotiating tricky deals with local contractors and property sellers who all had different priorities and ways of doing business. That taught me to really listen first, ask better questions, and never assume the other side values the same things I do.
When I started working with international investors, those same habits, slowing down, finding out what truly matters to them, and tailoring the deal structure, became one of my biggest strengths.
– Erik Daley, Founder & Co-Owner, Highest Offer
Your Unique Background Is Your Secret Weapon
The common thread among these diverse experiences? Human skills such as empathy, authenticity, patience, and genuine connection.
Whether it’s active listening from customer service, trust-building from ministry, or problem-solving from home renovation, the skills that make us human are often what set us apart in the global marketplace.
Your unique background isn’t a detour from your international business career; it might just be your secret weapon.
The next time you’re updating your resume or preparing for a global opportunity, take a closer look at those “unrelated” experiences. They could be exactly what helps you build bridges across cultures and close deals across continents.