Worklife with Adam Grant

Decoding cross-cultural communication with Erin Meyer

265 snips
Feb 25, 2025
Erin Meyer, a Professor at INSEAD and author of "The Culture Map," discusses the nuances of cross-cultural communication. She highlights how meanings can get lost in translation due to cultural norms affecting honesty and assertiveness. Through engaging anecdotes, they explore how feedback varies globally and the challenges of implementing direct communication styles in diverse settings like Netflix. Meyer stresses the importance of empathy and self-awareness in fostering successful interactions across cultures.
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ANECDOTE

Bright Eyes in Tokyo

  • Erin Meyer shares a story about misinterpreting a lack of raised hands in Tokyo as a lack of questions.
  • She learned that "bright eyes" indicated engagement, highlighting the importance of understanding cultural cues.
INSIGHT

Participation vs. Preparation

  • Americans tend to speak more in meetings, potentially due to participation grades in school.
  • Other cultures prioritize thoughtful contributions over frequent speaking.
INSIGHT

Migration and Communication

  • Historical migration patterns influence emotional expressiveness.
  • Heterogeneous populations tend to communicate more explicitly.
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