Arona Maskil

Last month, I held the first proof copy of my book, Reading the Room Across Borders, in my hands.
After an intense period of writing, I finally had it. Printed. Real. Done.
And then I stopped the printing. Not because the content was wrong, but because something didn’t feel right in the details.
When I reviewed the proof with my graphic designer, @loribar_branding , she immediately began noticing inconsistencies throughout the book, spacing, layout, and visual flow. The kind of things most people wouldn’t consciously pick up on, but would definitely feel.
Once you notice it, you can’t forget it.
And I realized how much this resembles working across cultures.
On the surface, everything appears aligned. The message is clear. The work is solid.
But something feels slightly off, not enough to halt the process, but enough to change how you’re perceived.
That’s where friction begins. That moment feels uncomfortable. You’re close enough to the finish line that you just want to move forward. You can justify it. You can tell yourself it’s “good enough.”
But I couldn’t because those small inconsistencies, whether in design or culture, influence how everything else is perceived.
We paused and went back inside. Lori worked through the book with me, chapter by chapter, identifying and fixing what needed to be aligned. It was meticulous work that improved the overall quality of the book.
I’m very thankful for her keen eye and the high standards she set in this process.
Years of working across cultures have shown me that what seems minor is rarely minor. People may not always voice what feels wrong, but they notice it.
This book needed to reflect that.
The revised version is almost ready. A little later than planned, and exactly as it should be.

#book #authorsofinstagram #culturalagility #culture #culturalcompetence