Working Abroad in Saudi Arabia: Culture, Leadership & Career Lessons -Bennie Smith

What’s it really like to work overseas in the Middle East—especially if you’re used to the fast, direct, “business first” pace of the U.S.? In this episode of SkyMan and the Bug, Nike Roach and Josh Schuminsky (Solutions Afoot) sit down with Bennie Smith, an Air Force veteran who transitioned from aircraft maintenance into defense contracting, IT, and software implementation—including years of professional life in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region. Bennie breaks down the cultural and leadership shifts that matter most when you relocate abroad: how relationships drive outcomes, why patience and respect build trust faster than pressure, and what can quietly damage credibility if you “act like you’re still back home.” You’ll also hear practical insights on family considerations, workplace norms during Ramadan, and where Bennie sees real opportunity in the region—beyond defense contracting—across technology, infrastructure, and healthcare innovation. In this episode: Military vs civilian life overseas: what changes (and what doesn’t) Culture-first leadership: earning trust in Saudi Arabia Relationship building in the Gulf: how business really gets done Common mistakes expats make (and how to avoid them) Career transitions: aviation maintenance → IT/software implementation Where the Middle East is investing: infrastructure, construction, medical tech, AI What's Next? (don’t miss weekly episodes): Subscribe for new episodes every week. If you found this helpful, like, share, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. And drop a comment: what’s the biggest culture shift you’ve had to navigate at work—across countries, industries, or teams? Questions for the show or a tech question for Solutions Afoot?** Visit SolutionsAfoot.com or call our office at 336-505-4249. #Leadership #Veterans #WorkingAbroad #SaudiArabia #MiddleEast #CareerTransition #DefenseContracting #ITCareers #Podcast