The Culture Map

THE CULTURE MAP: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business

by Erin Meyer

Our culture shapes our thinking, behavior, and worldview. It defines what we see as “normal”, “appropriate” or “efficient”. Yet, just as a fish doesn’t notice water, we don’t notice our culture.  We assume that others think the same way we do, leading to misunderstandings.  In this book, cultural communications expert Erin Meyer presents a framework to help make cultural differences explicit, with practical tips for navigating them more effectively.

In this summary, you’ll learn:

• The 8 cultural dimensions that significantly impact multicultural interactions and business outcomes, including: communication, giving negative feedback, persuasion, leadership, decision-making, trust-building, debate/disagreement, and scheduling;

• Where different countries fall on each of the 8 scales, and how this affects how one culture perceives or relates to another culture (a concept called “cultural relativity“); and

• How to apply these insights in different countries and cultures, to communicate, lead, and collaborate more effectively.

Who should read this:
• Business leaders, managers, and team members who work with multinational teams.
• Human resource professionals, coaches, consultants, and anyone who wishes to improve communication skills.