Culture Crossing: Discover the Key to Making Successful Connections in the New Global Era

by Michael Landers

Overview

Thrive in the multicultural communities where you work and live

People, money, and information are flowing faster than ever across international borders, putting us all just one step away from a culture crash—that moment when you unintentionally confuse, frustrate, or offend someone from another culture. Are you struggling with trying to learn the customs, nuances, and hot buttons of every culture you might come into contact with? Michael Landers guides you toward a better solution: becoming aware of your own cultural “baggage.” You’ll learn to sidestep the knee-jerk reactions that can get you into trouble and develop the agility to adjust your behaviors and expectations as needed. Through a mix of entertaining and instructive stories, valuable insights, and eye-opening self-assessments, Culture Crossing offers an essential primer for improving all your interactions with people from any background.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781626567108
Publisher:	Berrett-Koehler Publishers
Publication date:	01/09/2017
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Michael Landers is the founder and president of Culture Crossing, Inc., a consulting company dedicated to finding innovative solutions for those working in multicultural contexts. Culture Crossing’s clients include Apple, Google, Samsung, HSBC, SAP, Novartis, Fiat Worldwide, Isuzu Motors, Kaiser Permanente, CalAtlantic Homes, and Mead Johnson, among others.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Culture Crashing 1

1 Cultural Awakenings 9

How culture shapes our thoughts and behaviors

2 Me or We? 39

Recognize the differences between group and individual orientation, and why it matters

3 Say What? 65

Explore the nuances of verbal and written expression

4 What's Not Being Said 89

Discover the hidden meanings of nonverbal communication

5 Now or Later 109

How perceptions of time can warp across cultures

6 Respect, Rank, and Ritual 129

The implications of formality at work and in everyday life

7 Core Values 151

Taking your cultural awareness to the next level

Conclusion: Culture Crossings Past, Present, and Future 171

Notes 175

Bibliography 185

Acknowledgments 187

Index 188

About the Author 193

Editorial Reviews

01/09/2017
Landers, a global business consultant, has mined his expertise to produce a valuable guide to navigating the minefield of cultural differences when doing business on an international scale. As businesses expand globally, Landers says, “culture crashes”—unintentional insults arising from cultural differences—are inevitable. In this astute new book, he walks readers through various tricky situations. Landers wisely points out that his recommendations aren’t just relevant for Americans doing business abroad, thanks to the significant and growing number of immigrants doing business in the United States today. One-size-fits-all approaches to business, he states, are no longer effective, because of the sheer range of cultural differences. Landers provides enlightening perspective on the numerous areas where crashes can occur, including spoken and written communication, gestures and body language, and expectations for levels of formality and informality. He also explores ways to recognize what he calls “me/we tendencies,” highlighting the differences between cultures that focus on individual success, such as in the United States, and those that focus on group success, such as in Japan. Landers makes clear that understanding cultural differences is a key tool for the successful global businessperson. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

The most powerful influence on attitude and behavior is one’s culture—and this book shows you how to be more effective with more people from different cultures.”
—Brian Tracy, author of How the Best Leaders Lead and Eat That Frog!

“Drawing upon his own extensive international experience, Michael has created an indispensable tool for anyone who interacts with people from other cultures. (And who among us doesn’t?)”
—Luciana Duarte, Global Head of Employee Communications, Engagement, and Culture, HP Inc.

“I wish I had this book sooner! Between working abroad in India and starting a company in New York City, I’ve found myself in so many situations where I didn’t know what the cultural norm was. I can’t wait to apply the lessons I’ve learned from Culture Crossing to situations I know I’ll find myself in in the future.”
—Liz Wessel, cofounder and CEO, WayUp

“Understanding culture is the key to creating and maintaining successful relationships in this increasingly global world. This book is a must-read for those just entering the workforce to the leaders of top companies.”   
—Alex Churchill, Executive Chairman, VonChurch, and CEO, Gamesmith

“Michael combines a rare and deep understanding of global cultural issues with humor to create awareness on one of the most important topics of our era. His stories and teachings have been invaluable for us at SAP Academy, as we have trained hundreds of millennials from over fifty countries in our global training facility. If you serve in any organization or role in which you work with people from different cultures, run, don’t walk, to read this book.”
—Rae Kyriazis, Global Vice President, SAP 

“The most profound reality we face as marketers is the multicultural fractionalization of our marketplace. We are perplexed by this, so we continue to talk in our own voice rather than learning how to listen to these diverse voices with an empathy that is agile and truly customer-centric. Michael Landers has changed the way our people think and act with his method and teaching.”
—Bill McDonough, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Office, M/I Homes

From the Publisher