How Culture Drives Behaviours | Julien S. Bourrelle | TEDxTrondheim

Summary

In this insightful talk, Julian shares his personal experiences of living in Norway and the cultural adjustments he made to fit into a new society. He explores how cultural differences shape our behavior and perceptions, emphasizing the importance of adapting to new environments rather than confronting or complaining. Through humor and real-life examples, Julian highlights the significance of understanding cultural glasses, especially in the context of social interactions, friendship, and leadership. He stresses the value of diversity in problem-solving and creativity, urging the audience to embrace cultural differences to foster better communication and collaboration.

Takeaways

• 😀 People from different cultures perceive social behaviors differently. What is normal in one culture may seem unusual in another.
• 😀 In Norway, social interactions are more reserved, which can lead to cultural misunderstandings when compared to more expressive cultures.
• 😀 When adapting to a new culture, you can confront, complain, or conform. Conforming by learning and adapting behaviors helps you benefit from diversity.
• 😀 Cultural lenses shape how we interpret behaviors. Changing these lenses can enhance our understanding and communication across cultures.
• 😀 Leadership training can sometimes reflect societal goals, such as gender equality, but this can create challenges, such as excluding individuals based on their gender.
• 😀 Equality of result is sometimes prioritized over equality of opportunity, with the goal of creating a balanced society through structured interventions.
• 😀 Diversity, both gender and cultural, improves performance in work environments, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and innovation.
• 😀 Humor can be a powerful tool to connect cultures, as seen through a project that used cultural drawings to promote understanding.
• 😀 Different cultures teach children different values, such as group interdependence versus individual independence, which influences how friendships and relationships are formed.
• 😀 Cultural differences in personal space and physical proximity can lead to misunderstandings, especially when interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds.
• 😀 Politeness is culturally relative; different societies have varying norms regarding social etiquette, which can lead to miscommunication if not understood.

Q & A

What realization did the speaker have while sitting in Brussels?

The speaker realized that he was 'becoming Norwegian' when a stranger approached him and he felt surprised by the social interaction, which contrasted with his Canadian upbringing.

How does the speaker describe social interactions in Norway compared to Canada?

In Norway, socialization is framed and organized, meaning people don't approach strangers spontaneously, whereas in Canada, casual interactions with strangers are normal.

What are the three ways the speaker suggests one can relate to a new culture?

One can confront the culture, complain and isolate oneself, or conform and adapt to benefit fully from the diversity of the society.

What cultural misunderstanding occurred during the visit to Catalonia?

The guide misinterpreted the speaker's friend’s neutral facial expression as a lack of interest, reflecting how people interpret behavior through their own cultural lenses.

How does the speaker define 'equality of result' versus 'equality of opportunity'?

'Equality of result' focuses on achieving balance in society, such as promoting women into leadership, while 'equality of opportunity' emphasizes giving everyone the chance to reach their full potential.

What is the benefit of culturally diverse boards according to the speaker?

Boards with cultural diversity perform 35% better than those composed of only one culture, as it enhances problem-solving ability, creativity, and innovation.

What project did the speaker start to help people understand cultural differences?

He created humorous cultural drawings shared via a Facebook page and website, reaching over one million people, to explain and connect people from different cultures.

How do cultural differences affect the concept of friendship?

In group-oriented cultures, friendship involves close interdependence, while in more independent cultures, friendship can be comfortable with distance and silence.

What example does the speaker use to illustrate differences in personal space?

He uses the scenario of a crowded Norwegian bus stop, where cultural norms dictate how close people stand, and misinterpretation of personal space can lead to discomfort or misunderstanding.

Why does the speaker emphasize 'cultural glasses'?

'Cultural glasses' are the mental frameworks shaped by one’s culture, affecting how behaviors are perceived. Changing these glasses helps better understand and communicate across cultures.

How does the speaker suggest politeness varies across cultures?

Politeness is culturally defined: in some societies it involves strict social norms and specific behaviors, while in others it may simply mean not disturbing others or giving physical space.

What is the main message about diversity conveyed in the transcript?

The speaker emphasizes that understanding and adapting to cultural differences allows people and organizations to truly benefit from diversity, improving relationships, communication, and performance.