| Welcome to 'The Cultural Synergist' | |
Hi
Welcome to the Cultural Synergies newsletter - 'The Cultural
Synergist.' We'll be bringing you information, tips, articles, case
studies, observations and reflections every month to increase your effectiveness when working across cultures.
You are receiving this newsletter from Cultural Synergies because you are on our email list. To ensure that you continue to receive emails from us, please add my email address to your address book today.
Kind regards
The Cultural Synergies Team
January 2007 |
|
The
Cultural Mirror -
Hierarchy versus Equality
| We
spent the Christmas holidays with my parents in Malaysia. Whenever
we travel there, I remind my 11 year old daughter about the
formality around names, status and titles. In Australia, she is used
to calling her teachers and my friends by their first names.
If she was to do this in Malaysia, it would be considered very
rude and disrespectful!
This is because Malaysia is a hierarchical culture where respect
is given to age, seniority, titles, and qualifications. For instance, people
demonstrate respect by changing the tone and pitch of their language
when addressing seniors. Business cards are important because it helps place people in the vertical structure. Disagreement is infrequent and relationships are carefully managed. Speaking up can be seen to be rude and shameful and has to be done in the right environment.
Compare this with more equality-based cultures such as Australia,
Sweden or Holland where it is common to address senior managers
and older people by their first names, challenge them and disagree
openly. You are expected to have an opinion and express it.
Respect is gained by who you are and not by your status - it is more of a horizontal structure.
So, it is always useful to have the cultural agility to modify verbal and non verbal communication styles on this cultural dimension.
|
|
| Suggested Reading | "Success
Built To Last: Creating A Life That Matters" by Jerry Porras,
Stewart Emery and Mark Thompson - Wharton School of Business
2007
I read this book over my holidays and really enjoyed reflecting
on its lessons. The book is based on a series of face-to-face
interviews with remarkable people from around the world and
the lessons they have learnt in maintaining their passions and
energies.
It highlights the critical need to align the three elements of success over a lifetime - finding meaning in our work, being conscious of our thinking patterns and finding effective ways to take action.
| | |
| Resources |
 'The
Invisible Elephant - Exploring Cultural Awareness' by Tom
Verghese
Many aspects of culture are invisible, yet culture has an
enormous impact on our lives. Like an Invisible Elephant,
if ignored these aspects can lead to misunderstanding, stress
and conflict. Alternatively, if attention is given to the
Invisible Elephant, it can enhance productivity, improve teamwork
and create more joy in our lives.
Recent
book testimonial by Sim Chee Kian - BP Singapore:
"Very easy read, concise and straight to the point. The
examples provided in the book are very easy for anyone to
relate to.
Recommended read for anyone serious in succeeding in a diverse
environment."
'Pillars of Growth - Strategies for Leading Sustainable
Growth' - Book by Tom Verghese, Kerry Larkan, Steven Howard
and Brad Tonini
Written with the business leaders and entrepreneurs
of Asia in mind, 'Pillars of Growth' provides a road map
to assist you in
thinking through four critical concerns that impact the
sustainable growth of every business.
Visit our store at www.culturalsynergies.com
for more information.
|
| |
|
|
| About Cultural Synergies
| |
Cultural Synergies' mission is to enhance individual and organisational performance when interacting with people across the globe.
Take advantage of our years of international experience. All our services are tailored to individual client situations.
Contact Details
Phone: +61 3 9654 6161
Mobile: +61 (0) 419 999 292
Fax: +61 3 9650 7350 Email: enquiries@culturalsynergies.com
Cultural Synergies Pty Ltd
Level 5, Causeway House
306 Little Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Australia
Privacy Policy
Cultural Synergies respects your right to privacy. We never
share, rent, or sell your name
or email to anyone else. Your privacy is safe with us.
|
|
|
