may 4-8, 2015 presented by opm in honor of your dedication to your country leadership through the...
TRANSCRIPT
May 4-8, 2015Presented by OPM in honor of your dedication to your
countryLeadership through the Lens of Culture
Steve Whearty, FacultyFederal Executive InstituteMay 7, 2015 1:00 PM EST
What we’ll discussWhat we’ll discuss
How do we define “culture”?What is cross-cultural competence? Why is it important for today’s leader?How can I develop cross-cultural
competence?
NormsNorms
Participate fully! Polls and chatKeep an open mindActive learning through sharing of
perspectives in chat
What is culture?What is culture?
“The shared system of symbols, beliefs, assumptions, attitudes, values, expectations and norms for behavior of a given society, passed down from one generation to the next through learning and experience.”
-Edward Hall
Hall: Beyond Culture, Anchor Books, 1989.
Cross-cultural competenceCross-cultural competence
“appropriate and effective management of interaction between people who, to some degree or another, represent different or divergent affective, cognitive or behavior orientations to the world.”
-Handbook of Intercultural Competence
Did You Know?Did You Know?
Which Federal Dept/Agency played a key role in the evolution of cultural competence training?A.Department of AgricultureB.Department of the NavyC.Census BureauD.Department of Commerce
Cultural PluralismCultural Pluralism“The overall trend is clearly towards
greater racial, ethnic, religious and cultural diversity in both the general population and the workforce.”
-Inc. com
Culture within ContextCulture within Context
Beware of
Stereotyping!
Components of CultureComponents of Culture
Hofstede◦Individualism vs. Collectivism
◦Power Distance
◦Time Orientation
◦Uncertainty Avoidance
Hofstede: Cultures and Organizations. McGraw Hill, 2010.
Individualism vs. CollectivismIndividualism vs. Collectivism
Individualism Collectivism
Speaking one’s mind is highly valued
Hiring, promotion based on skills, rules
Employer/employee relationship contractual
Task prevails over relationship
Leaders encouraged to give, receive honest feedback
Harmony and consensus are goals
Hiring, promotion consider candidate’s “group identity”
Employer/employee relationship familial
Relationship prevails over task
Direct appraisal of others spoils harmony
Hofstede: Cultures and Organizations. McGraw Hill, 2010.
Which country is the most Which country is the most “Individualist”?“Individualist”?
A. South KoreaB. CanadaC. United StatesD. Kenya
How can it show up at work?How can it show up at work?
“Whenever there is conflict on the team, Robert seems to nod his head in agreement with everyone. It’s very frustrating, and I wish he would share his opinion.”
Colle
ctiv
ism
Indi
vidu
alism
U.S. “Norm”
MeRobert
Time OrientationTime Orientation
Short-term Orientation Long-term Orientation
Work values include achievement and thinking for oneself
Efforts should produce quick results
Importance of this year’s profits
Work values include learning, accountability and self-discipline
Perseverance towards slow results
Importance of profits 10 years from now
Hofstede: Cultures and Organizations. McGraw Hill, 2010.
Which Country Ranks #1 for Which Country Ranks #1 for Short-Term Time Orientation?Short-Term Time Orientation?
A. JapanB. United StatesC. AustraliaD. Mexico
How can it show up at work?How can it show up at work?“My deputy Marie seems ready to give up on my change initiative. I have tried to explain to her that we must be patient to see improvements in efficiency over more than a month or two, but I feel like she isn’t hearing me.”
Shor
t-Te
rm
Long
-Ter
m
U.S. “Norm”
MeMarie
Power DistancePower Distance
Low Power Distance High Power Distance
Parents treat children as equals
Fewer supervisors, more decentralization
Subordinates expect to be consulted
All should have equal rights
Parents teach children obedience
More complex supervisory structure, centralization of authority
Subordinates expect to be told what to do
The powerful should have privileges
Hofstede: Cultures and Organizations. McGraw Hill, 2010.
Which country has the Lowest Which country has the Lowest Power Distance?Power Distance?
A. FranceB. United StatesC. United KingdomD. Morocco
How can it show up at work?How can it show up at work?“ I don’t know why Joseph doesn’t seem to take any initiative. I try to create a workplace where my direct reports can be creative and bring me ideas, but he seems content for me to just tell him what to do. Maybe he just doesn’t like the work.”
Low P
ower
Dista
nce
High
Power
Dista
nce
U.S. “Norm”
Me Joseph
Uncertainty Avoidance (UA)Uncertainty Avoidance (UA)
Strong UA Weak UA
People change jobs infrequently
Need for precision and formalization
Belief in experts and technical solutions
Top managers are concerned with daily ops
People change jobs more frequently
Higher tolerance for ambiguity and chaos
Belief in generalists and common sense
Top managers are concerned with strategy
Hofstede: Cultures and Organizations. McGraw Hill, 2010.
How can it show up at work?How can it show up at work?“Every time I tell my team about new initiatives that our front office wants us to implement, I get similar responses from Alice – ‘it won’t work’ or ‘that’s ridiculous, what are they thinking?’ I admit that not every idea is a great one, but why can’t she keep an open mind?”
Low U
ncer
tain
ty
Avoi
danc
e
High
Uncer
tain
ty
Avo
idan
ce
U.S. “Norm”
Me Alice
Culture Competence for LeadersCulture Competence for Leaders
Don’t assume similar values, opinions, actions
Recognize culture as part of the complex whole person
Remain open and curiousDo assume positive intentPractice self-management
Contact InfoSteve [email protected]