What It Takes to Lead and Scale a Company Internationally

Leading and scaling a company internationally requires early preparation for growth, strong listening skills, cultural adaptability, alignment between product and culture, and the ability to lead alongside founders while expanding across markets.

Leading a Global Company Starts With Adaptation

“Prepare for success sooner than you think.”

This principle defines the leadership journey of Clare Jones, CEO of Polarsteps, an all-in-one travel app that helps users dream, plan, track, and relive their adventures worldwide.

Originally from London, Clare moved to Amsterdam to lead the company, adapting to a smaller city, a more direct work culture, and a truly international team.

Scaling While Embracing Cultural Differences

Clare’s relocation mirrors the values Polarsteps promotes: openness to new cultures, learning from diverse perspectives, and respectful global exploration.

Leading internationally requires:

• Cultural humility
• Clear communication
• Willingness to adapt leadership style to local norms

These elements become essential as companies grow beyond their home markets.

Taking Over as CEO After the Founders

As the third CEO of Polarsteps, Clare faced the rare challenge of leading a company where founders and former CEOs remain actively involved.

Her approach centers on:

• Listening before acting
• Building trust with existing leadership
• Maintaining continuity while enabling change

This balance is critical when scaling companies with strong founding cultures.

Keeping Product and Culture Aligned During Growth

Clare emphasizes that rapid international scaling can strain both teams and products if culture is neglected.

At Polarsteps, growth is guided by:

• Keeping product decisions aligned with company values
• Ensuring culture scales alongside user growth
• Maintaining focus as teams expand across regions

Product and culture must evolve together to sustain momentum.

Lessons for Leaders Scaling Internationally

This conversation highlights that international leadership is not only about expansion. It is about preparation, alignment, and people.

Leaders who succeed globally:

• Prepare for scale earlier than expected
• Listen deeply to teams and markets
• Adapt without losing strategic focus

Scaling internationally is ultimately a leadership challenge before it is a growth one.