Why to learn it: We live in a diversified cultural world. To work or do a business with people from various cultures, we need to adapt strategies that are inclusive of people from their cultures. Learning about multiculturalism is helpful in knowing how people from different countries behave, what they like, and what are their motivations.

Below are my notes on this subject:

Non verbal communication: Different countries have different types of communication. Countries have different signs and gestures and the same sign or a gesture that could mean insulting or respectful to different countries. 

Implicit versus Explicit Communication: Different countries have implicit and explicit communication styles. For example, as per the studies, American kids learn to “Say what you mean and mean what you say” because Americans in general follow an explicit communication style. To avoid misinterpretation, when interacting with two countries, prefer an explicit communication, even if those two countries prefer an implicit communication.

Assumed similarity: We assume other people are more like us than they actually are. We also assume that another person’s situation is more like our own situation than it actually is.

Cultural attribution error: Cultural attribution error is that you interpret another person’s behavior based on your own culture.

Diversity in a team: Depending on the motive of the work, level of diversity can be considered. Generally, a diversified team is more creative because people from different cultures add their perspectives. But at the same time, diversity is costly. In a diverse team, it takes more time get to a decision. If we want creative solutions, it’s worth spending time and effort in building a diversified team.

Cultural styles for various countries: There are studies about different cultural norms for different countries.

Negotiation across cultures: Negotiation styles differ in different cultures. Some countries believe in trust-building styles, some believe in character-building styles, and some are in the middle. For a successful negotiation, it’s important to understand the cultures of the countries involved in a negotiation.

Leadership styles: Leadership style differs in different countries. Some believe in egalitarian style leadership, some believe in hierarchical style leadership, and some are in the middle. In egalitarian style leadership, a leader coaches and is like of the the team mates. In hierarchical style leadership, a leader use authority and is like a father-figure.

Decision making across cultures: As per the culture, a country may follow a top-down decision making, or a consensual decision making.

Feedback across culture: Some countries prefer a direct feedback and some countries prefer an indirect feedback style. Understanding feedback type for a country can help in working with people from that country.

Time Management: There are two types of time management: exact-planning and flexible-planning. Some countries prefer exact-planning whereas some countries prefer flexible-planning.

Acculturation: When a person is introduced to another culture, their level of adapting another culture varies. Study of acculturation helps in working with people from various cultures.

References:

• The book, The Culture Map, by Erin Meyer. Link: https://erinmeyer.com/books/the-culture-map/
• Hofstede’s cultural framework: https://www.theculturefactor.com/intercultural-management