When Cultures Collide
Richard Lewis’ model of cross-cultural communication distributes cultures between three extremes:
- Linear-Active cultures tend to be direct, systematic, go step-by-step, are fact and task oriented. Lewis points to German and American cultures as strongly Linear-Active.
- Multi-Active cultures are more people- and relationship-focused, flexible, emotionally expressive, do multiple things in parallel. Lewis uses Italians and the Spanish as examples.
- Reactive cultures are cultures where the dominant model of interaction is to observe first, try to establish the other person’s values and intentions first, before giving a less-direct, harmonising response.
The model is deeper than it first appears – a useful simplification. You can see Lewis summarising his categories in his own words in this video.
Four Cultures of Management
Lewis’ work gets interesting when you look at his descriptions of the prevailing culture of management in different countries. He writes at length about these in When Cultures Collide, providing insightful and amusing diagrams that summarise things succinctly and were, for me, the highlight of the book. Here are four of my favourites:
German Management Model: Orders, obedience and supervision
American Management Model: Objectives and Motivation
Japanese Management Model: Hints and Obedience
British Management Model: Humour, Understatement and Muddling Through
Conclusion:
Worth a muddle through!