ERIN MEYER
Navigating Cultural Conversations
“Effective cross-cultural communication is not about changing who you are, but about understanding who others are.”
Erin Meyer, renowned author, professor at INSEAD business school in France, and cultural expert, serves as a beacon of wisdom in navigating the complexities of global communication.
The Culture Map
Erin's groundbreaking book, The Culture Map, serves as a guiding light for effective cross-cultural communication in today's interconnected world. Through her research and teachings, Erin illuminates the nuances of cultural differences, offering a comprehensive guide to help navigate the diverse ways people communicate, make decisions, and collaborate.
“The way we are conditioned to see the world in our own culture seems so completely obvious and commonplace that it is difficult to imagine that another culture might do things differently. It is only when you start to identify what is typical in your culture but different from others, that you can begin to open a dialogue of sharing, learning, and ultimately understanding.”
As today's business world becomes ever-more global and virtual, executives and managers are expected to work harmoniously together with counterparts from a broad array of cultures and backgrounds, often without leaving their desks. But when you throw people together who come from starkly different backgrounds and cultures, the result can be interesting, even sometimes amusing, but can also involve misunderstanding and confusion.
Erin’s Culture Map identifies eight scales that define how cultures differ, encouraging empathy, curiosity, and adaptability in fostering meaningful connections across borders. The eight axes are: communication, feedback, thinking, leadership, decision-making, trust, disagreement, and time perception.
Embracing Diversity: A Roadmap for Success
“We need to approach cultural differences with curiosity and humility, rather than judgment or superiority.”
Born in the USA, Erin began her career teaching English students in Botswana as a Peace Corps volunteer and later working with Asian immigrants in the United States. With a career spanning Africa, Europe, and the United States, Meyer's work focuses on helping individuals and organizations navigate cultural differences in a multicultural environment.
Her insights serve as a valuable tool, fostering understanding, respect and cooperation. By recognizing and appreciating cultural differences, we can engage in more meaningful conversations, build trust, and create harmonious connections across borders.
Food for Thought
How do curiosity and humility bridge cultural gaps?
Why is it important to challenge cultural biases and stereotypes in dialogue?
Have you ever faced cultural misunderstandings? How did you resolve them?
More quotes from Erin Meyer
“Building strong relationships across cultures requires empathy and active listening.”
“When working across cultures, we must be aware of our own cultural biases and be willing to challenge and adapt them.”
“Cultural intelligence is not about erasing cultural differences, but finding common ground and leveraging diverse perspectives.”
“Cultural intelligence is a powerful tool for building strong, respectful, and effective relationships across cultures.”
“Language is more than just words; it carries cultural context and nuances.”
“Cultural diversity is an asset that enriches our lives and broadens our understanding of the world.”
“I believe that empathy, patience, and curiosity are the keys to building bridges across cultures.”
Sources:
Erin Meyer's website - https://erinmeyer.com/
The Culture Map - by Erin Meyer: https://erinmeyer.com/books/the-culture-map/
Quotes by Erin Meyer - https://www.bookey.app/quote-book/the-culture-map
"Getting to Si, Ja, Oui, Hai, and Da - How to negotiate across cultures by Erin Meyer” https://hbr.org/2015/12/getting-to-si-ja-oui-hai-and-da
Assessment - What’s Your Cultural Profile? by Erin Meyer- https://hbr.org/2014/08/whats-your-cultural-profile
