Erin Meyer of INSEAD on Managing Across Cultures

Summary

In this insightful discussion, Professor Aaron, a recently published author in the Harvard Business Review, introduces the cultural map as a vital tool for global leaders to navigate cross-cultural management. The map outlines eight behavioral scales to compare cultural differences, aiding leaders in adapting their styles for effective international collaboration. Aaron emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting cultural nuances to enhance teamwork and leadership authenticity, advocating for 'authentic flexibility' to achieve global leadership success.

Takeaways

• 🌏 The cultural map is a tool for global leaders to navigate cross-cultural management by understanding behavioral differences across countries.
• 📊 The system breaks down cultural differences into eight behavioral scales, examining how decisions are made and trust is built in various cultures.
• 📝 INSEAD's research has positioned 55 countries on these scales, allowing for comparative mapping to adapt leadership and communication styles.
• 💡 Leadership styles are culturally specific and can vary significantly, requiring leaders to adapt their approach when working with different cultures.
• 🇳🇱 An example given is the difference between Dutch and Mexican leadership styles, where Dutch culture values egalitarianism, while Mexican culture shows more respect to authority figures.
• 🔄 The need for global leaders to be flexible and adapt their leadership style to the cultural context of the population they are working with.
• 👥 Teamwork in a global context requires understanding how actions and communication styles can create unintended perceptions in different cultures.
• 📞 A simple action like sending a written recap after a phone call can be perceived differently in various cultures, signaling distrust in some cases.
• 🔍 The advice for working across cultures is to learn about the differences between one's own culture and the culture of the people one is working with.
• 🗣️ Encouraging open discussions about cultural differences using humble words for one's own culture and curiosity about others.
• 🧘‍♂️ Authentic leadership does not preclude adapting to local culture; global leaders should embody 'authentic flexibility' to maximize effectiveness.

Q & A

What is the cultural map and how does it help in cross-cultural management?

The cultural map is a system that breaks down cultural differences into eight behavioral scales, examining aspects like decision-making and trust-building across cultures. It helps global leaders navigate international waters by providing a framework to decode and adapt their style to the cultural context of the country or countries they are working with.

How does the cultural map position countries on its scales?

The cultural map positions countries based on research conducted at INSEAD, which has analyzed and positioned around 55 countries up and down the eight behavioral scales, allowing for a comparative understanding of cultural differences.

What is the significance of leadership styles varying across cultures?

Leadership styles are culturally specific and can significantly impact how teams are managed and decisions are made. Understanding these variations is crucial for effective cross-cultural leadership, as it influences the approach to authority, respect, and facilitation within teams.

Can you provide an example of how cultural differences in leadership styles can create challenges?

An example given in the script is the situation where Mexican managers, accustomed to showing more respect to authority figures, were working with Dutch employees in a Dutch company, where the leadership style is more egalitarian. The cultural clash led to challenges in implementing strategies and managing expectations.

Why is it important for global leaders to adapt their leadership style?

Adapting leadership styles is essential in today's globalized world because it enables leaders to work effectively with diverse populations, ensuring that they can achieve the desired results by understanding and respecting cultural nuances.

How does cultural awareness apply to teamwork in a global context?

Cultural awareness in global teamwork is crucial as it helps understand how actions and communication styles can create unintended perceptions. It encourages adapting one's style to increase effectiveness and avoid misunderstandings in cross-cultural interactions.

What is the cultural implication of sending a written recap after a phone call in an Indonesian context?

In the Indonesian context, sending a written recap after a phone call can be perceived as a sign of distrust, as verbal agreements are typically considered sufficient. This highlights the importance of understanding cultural communication preferences in a global team setting.

What advice does Professor Aaron provide for effective cross-cultural communication?

Professor Aaron advises learning about the differences between one's own culture and the culture of the people one is working with. He encourages open discussions using humble words to describe one's own culture and curiosity about the other culture to foster understanding and effectiveness.

How can leaders maintain authenticity while adapting to local cultures?

Leaders can maintain authenticity by developing 'authentic flexibility,' which involves having a strong sense of their own authentic style while also learning techniques to adapt their style to different cultural contexts, allowing them to choose the most effective approach for each situation.

What is the key to being an effective global leader according to the cultural map concept?

The key to being an effective global leader is understanding the differences between one's own culture and other cultures, and knowing how to adapt one's leadership style to maximize effectiveness in various cultural settings.

Where can readers find more information on managing across cultures as discussed in the script?

Readers can find more information in Aaron's article in the Harvard Business Review's 10 Must-Reads on Managing Across Cultures and by visiting Aaron's website for additional tools and resources.