Directness means something different in Tokyo, Lagos and Munich. A question that feels supportive in one culture can feel intrusive in another, and silence can mean agreement, disagreement or simply thinking.
With international clients, ask early how they prefer to receive challenge, and check your interpretation of a pause instead of filling it. A short phrase in the client's language, such as よろしくお願いします at the start of a session, signals respect without pretending to fluency.