Same same but different

Cultural dimensions theory aims to measure cultural variance in order to predict behavior and improve cross-cultural collaboration. Predicting behavior can help us avoid culturally based misunderstandings resulting from a different perception of facts.

The first step to improved cross-cultural collaboration is determining our own position on the map of cultural dimensions as a fair starting point. This starting point grounds us as we move away from this base and into new cultures and mindsets, a movement that theorists have metaphorically compared to the experience of sailing and of systems thinking, much like the way a computer works. Our own understanding of where we come from then helps us navigate when “riding the waves of culture” (Trompenaars). Consciously or subconsciously, we may even adapt some of the other behaviors, provided the “software of the mind” (Hofstede) not only “runs” our own programs and course but also allows for alternative routing. These navigation skills and our own adaptability are prerequisites to ensure we can maneuver when cultures collide (Lewis, 2006). The more seaworthy we are, the better our chances of turning headwinds into fair winds, allowing us to create cultural synergies and enjoy the ride.