What programme are you on? (Series: global teamwork)

If you have read Asterix books as enthusiastically as I have, then you will certainly be familiar with Methusalix’s quote:

„Ich habe nichts gegen Fremde. Einige meiner besten Freund*innen sind Fremde. Aber diese Fremden, die sind nicht von hier!“

“I don’t mind strangers. Some of my best friends are strangers. But these strangers aren’t from around here!”

Who hasn’t, in the hustle and bustle of everyday working life, forgotten that there are other perspectives on the world besides their own? You can find my answer to that in the last article.

These beliefs quickly surface because we have a lot of practice unconsciously using repeated and familiar patterns.

There’s nothing wrong with that, because if we spent all our time consciously evoking and reviewing long-established patterns, we would have little capacity to deal with new situations.

However, when conflicts are looming, it can be worthwhile to take a critical look at these automatic actions and assumptions.

This is precisely what happens when we meet people who, to use Geert Hofstede’s words, experienced a different “programming” in childhood than we did. Our subconscious is initially taken aback by the encounter, because the familiar program no longer fits.

But because the old program was so successful before, and it takes more effort to reprogram ourselves, a conflict can quickly arise that doesn’t necessarily have to happen.

This is where various models for intercultural dimensions come into play, making it easier for us to develop an understanding of our own culture, that of others, and the differences that may arise when communicating with people from different cultures. These models operate on the assumption that there are certain cultural aspects that, by and large, influence all people belonging to a culture.

This doesn’t mean that these aspects shape everyone’s behaviour in the same way, but rather they result in a basic trend. Members of other cultures can, in turn, use knowledge of these cultural pillars to raise their awareness when interacting with other cultures.

This is the most important first step toward mutual cultural understanding, because with this awareness, one approaches collaboration with employees, superiors, and suppliers in a completely different way than assuming that they view the world the same way I do.

In this series, I would like to explore Geert Hofstede’s model with you and examine its applicability in everyday work, using examples to show where it can be helpful and where it might not be. It is based on the assumption that cultures can be explored and compared using six scales:

• power distance
• dealing with uncertainty
• individualism and collectivism
• masculinity and femininity
• lond and short-term orientation
• indulgence

There are several models for working with other cultures, some more pragmatic, some more scientifically based than others. Over time, I will discuss other models, and you can then form your own opinion about what works best for you and your daily work.

As mentioned previously, Hofstede assumes that cultural “programming” begins in very early childhood, in which our social environment shapes our patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting.

This is where we learn what is good and what is bad; rules and values ​​are passed on, symbols are learned, and rituals are practiced. This is precisely why we have such quick mental access to these patterns in everyday life, at work, no matter where we are, because they occur unconsciously through repeated practice—just like riding a bike once you’ve learned it.

With that in mind, I wish you much fun on your cultural journey of discovery, which begins in the next article with dealing with injustice!

You can find the first part of the series on cultural misunderstandings here.

Business coaching and training can help you and your team prepare well for and effectively manage intercultural collaboration, so that you as a leader and your team can maximize the benefits of your cultural diversity.

See you soon,

Cary Langer-Donohoe

Contact me if you have any more questions on the topics. Looking forward to hearing from you!

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