What Is Culture?

Culture is ‘the way things are done in our group’, but also the way people have learnt to think, behave and react about events and situations.  It is so deeply embedded in our very being, that we take it for granted and seldom stop to analyse it. 

Then, suddenly, you are confronted with someone with very different cultural values, norms and expectations.  Now you have to operate within an unfamiliar environment, according to a new set of rules that you can barely work out, that few may be able to explain to you, and with which you may not agree anyway.  What to do?  Perish?…. Or adapt!

Cultural adaptation happens (successfully or not):

-when you move to a new country or return to your home country after a lengthy period abroad
- when you join a new organisation, particularly one that is very different in terms of size, industry or degree of globalisation
- when you get promoted to senior management level and discover the gap between the official and unofficial culture in your company
- when you rejoin the corporate world after a career break

Cultural adaptation is about:

• respecting and understanding other cultures and points of view
• learning to listen and communicate effectively across cultures
• maintaining your own cultural identity but opening yourself up to new experiences and new interpretations of the world
• accepting and encouraging diversity and difference, while working together for a common goal
• ability to quickly reach your peak performance level despite having to operate within a new set of norms and styles

Cultural adaptation is not about:

• losing your personal principles and values in order to fit in with the dominant culture
• forcing people to accept your way of doing things in the name of efficiency
• accepting unquestioningly whatever the dominant culture of the group decrees is acceptable behaviour
• becoming an opportunist, following each rising power in an organisation

You will find an introduction on cultural theories, as well as many practical applications, on the Free Resources.  For more detailed information on organisational and national cultures, or for a list of recommended readings to get you started on your journey of cultural exploration, please contact us.