My goal for this year is to read 15 books.
I recently finished the book “The Culture Map”, written by Erin Meyer.
Erin is a professor at Insead, one of the world’s leading international business schools. Her work focuses on how the world’s most successful global leaders navigate the complexities of cultural differences in a multicultural environment.
In her book, Erin demystifies the impact of cultural differences on international business, using a practical and analytical framework. She identifies 8 variables to do so:
- Communication: high context vs low context
- Evaluating: direct vs indirect negative feedback
- Persuading: principles first vs applications first
- Leading: Egalitarian vs hierarchical
- Deciding: consensual vs top-down
- Trusting: task vs relation
- Disagreeing: confrontation vs avoid confrontation
- Scheduling: linear vs flexible time
“Multicultural teams need low-context processes”
What did I appreciate most?
This book is not about memorizing the differences between the various cultures. The biggest value of this book comes from the acknowledgement that differences exist between cultures and countries. These cultural differences drive unique perspectives and thus behavior. By being aware about these differences, it helps you to better understand not only the behavior, but also the intent of that behavior from a different cultural background. As a leader, this book helps you to be more prepared when working with international colleagues, clients or suppliers.
What is my tip?
The book in itself is a great concept and particularly useful if you are novice in the field of international business. When you are more experienced in the field of international business, you benefit more from shifting your perspective from cultural differences to individual differences. Whether that means leading an international team, managing international clients or negotiating with suppliers.
What is my takeaway from this book?
In short, this book is a practical guide for navigating cultural complexity whilst conducting international business, in particular useful if you are novice in this field.
For myself, the framework of this book would have helped me more when I started dealing with the opposite side of the 8 culture dimensions. For example, in 2015 we were implementing a performance management system in India, where the foundation was built upon a meeting structure with KPI’s. One of the main challenges during that project was the scheduling part, where our linear approach did not match the flexible time attitude of our colleagues. I’m convinced that the knowledge of this book would have helped me in dealing with cultural differences. To significantly move the needle, in any form of (international business), you need to shift from dealing with cultural differences to dealing with individual differences.
Contact me for more information to move the needle and get ahead.
My goal for this year is to read 15 books.
I recently finished the book “The Culture Map”, written by Erin Meyer.
Erin is a professor at Insead, one of the world’s leading international business schools. Her work focuses on how the world’s most successful global leaders navigate the complexities of cultural differences in a multicultural environment.
In her book, Erin demystifies the impact of cultural differences on international business, using a practical and analytical framework. She identifies 8 variables to do so:
- Communication: high context vs low context
- Evaluating: direct vs indirect negative feedback
- Persuading: principles first vs applications first
- Leading: Egalitarian vs hierarchical
- Deciding: consensual vs top-down
- Trusting: task vs relation
- Disagreeing: confrontation vs avoid confrontation
- Scheduling: linear vs flexible time
“Multicultural teams need low-context processes”
What did I appreciate most?
This book is not about memorizing the differences between the various cultures. The biggest value of this book comes from the acknowledgement that differences exist between cultures and countries. These cultural differences drive unique perspectives and thus behavior. By being aware about these differences, it helps you to better understand not only the behavior, but also the intent of that behavior from a different cultural background. As a leader, this book helps you to be more prepared when working with international colleagues, clients or suppliers.
What is my tip?
The book in itself is a great concept and particularly useful if you are novice in the field of international business. When you are more experienced in the field of international business, you benefit more from shifting your perspective from cultural differences to individual differences. Whether that means leading an international team, managing international clients or negotiating with suppliers.
What is my takeaway from this book?
In short, this book is a practical guide for navigating cultural complexity whilst conducting international business, in particular useful if you are novice in this field.
For myself, the framework of this book would have helped me more when I started dealing with the opposite side of the 8 culture dimensions. For example, in 2015 we were implementing a performance management system in India, where the foundation was built upon a meeting structure with KPI’s. One of the main challenges during that project was the scheduling part, where our linear approach did not match the flexible time attitude of our colleagues. I’m convinced that the knowledge of this book would have helped me in dealing with cultural differences. To significantly move the needle, in any form of (international business), you need to shift from dealing with cultural differences to dealing with individual differences.
Contact me for more information to move the needle and get ahead.
