The Culture Map: Breaking through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business

Cultural differences in communication style are not arbitrary; rather, they tend to stem from broader historical and societal factors. In elaborating on each cultural scale, Erin Meyer traces some of those factors; she notes, for instance, that Japan’s historical isolation created a degree of cultural homogeneity that renders high-context communication more feasible. While accounting for every norm in this way would be beyond the book’s scope, the message is clear: People should approach cross-cultural interactions with curiosity and give others the benefit of the doubt. For example, a manager frustrated that an employee has seemingly not heeded their feedback might pause and consider not only whether that employee comes from a culture that values blunt critique but also how that value might have arisen. This attentiveness to cultural context reduces the potential for unnecessary conflict while also offering opportunities to reflect on the rationale behind various practices, potentially leading to broader insights about effective communication.

In multicultural settings, clarity must coexist with respect. The Culture Map reveals that effective global leaders adjust their communication not by diluting their message, but by aligning it with how others interpret