It’s not always just so.
Culture is like an iceberg – only a small part appears on the surface. A large part – our set of values – is invisible to the eye. And this is the challenge, for it is these values that determine what we feel and how we think, what we approve of and what we don’t. In a nutshell: We perceive the world through our own cultural lens. So does everyone else. Simply through other lenses.
Forms of behaviour and expectations resulting from our own, specific perceptions can lead to misunderstandings, or worse, to conflicts. Nowadays, intercultural contacts have become part and parcel of many people’s lives. Whenever you are involved in a cross-cultural situation, you need to understand and take into account the others’ perception and value systems. And reconcile them with your own.
Intercultural management means recognizing and respecting otherness. And, in a further step, harnessing it for the purpose of the whole. In other words, adding value for each individual, a team or an organization.
Check your intercultural skills!
An eye-opening introduction for organisations.
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