Podcast Summary: Worklife with Adam Grant – "Decoding Cross-Cultural Communication with Erin Meyer"

Release Date: February 25, 2025

In this insightful episode of Worklife with Adam Grant, host Adam Grant engages in a compelling conversation with Erin Meyer, a renowned expert in cross-cultural communication and co-author of The Culture Map. Produced in partnership with TED and Transmitter Media, this episode delves deep into the intricacies of how cultural differences shape our interactions in the workplace, offering valuable strategies for fostering effective communication in diverse environments.

1. Introduction to Cross-Cultural Communication

Adam Grant opens the discussion by highlighting Erin Meyer's expertise in understanding how cultural variances impact workplace dynamics. He notes her extensive experience living in Africa, Europe, and the US, and references her pivotal work, The Culture Map, which serves as a key resource for decoding international interactions.

[01:59] Adam Grant: "Erin is a professor at INSEAD, where she's been recognized as one of the world's most influential management thinkers."

2. Erin's Defining Moment in Cultural Miscommunication

Erin Meyer recounts a pivotal experience during her book tour in Japan, where she faced a significant cultural miscommunication that deepened her understanding of cross-cultural nuances.

[02:32] Erin Meyer: "So Turkey, they have an expression... what we call triangulating, which is that I can give feedback to one person that I'm close to in front of someone else that I'm not close to, and the person who's listening will understand the feedback is for them."

She describes how in Japan, subtle cues like eye contact can signify a desire to engage but may not be overtly expressed, contrasting with American expectations of active participation.

3. Emotional Expressiveness and Participation

A fundamental topic discussed is the variance in emotional expressiveness across cultures. Erin explains that American culture tends to be more participative and expressive, especially in meetings, compared to many other cultures that value restraint and careful preparation.

[06:32] Adam Grant: "This goes to one of the fundamental cross-cultural differences that you've spoken and written pretty extensively about, which is emotional expressiveness."

Erin attributes the high level of participation in the US to educational practices that reward speaking up, even without substantial contributions, fostering an environment where verbal engagement is equated with commitment.

4. Communication Styles: Low vs. High Context

Erin Meyer introduces the concept of low-context versus high-context communication, emphasizing how cultural homogeneity influences the need for explicit verbalization.

[11:10] Erin Meyer: "I talk about that as low content context versus high context communication... in Japan, like, a good communicator can pick up all of those unspoken messages in the air."

She illustrates how cultures with diverse linguistic backgrounds, like the US, rely more on explicit communication, whereas more homogeneous societies, such as Japan, depend on non-verbal cues and implicit understanding.

5. The Trust Scale: Cognitive vs. Effective Trust

A critical dimension presented is the distinction between cognitive trust and effective trust. Cognitive trust is based on reliability and competence, while effective trust stems from an emotional bond and personal connection.

[25:06] Erin Meyer: "The first is that I do think it's fascinating to look around the US and to see how the populations that immigrated to different parts of the US have created different regional differences."

Erin emphasizes that establishing effective trust can mitigate misunderstandings and enhance the impact of direct feedback across cultures.

6. Adapting Organizational Culture: The Netflix Case Study

Erin shares her collaboration with Netflix in adapting their culture of "radical candor" to fit international offices in Tokyo, Sao Paulo, Singapore, and Amsterdam.

[29:19] Erin Meyer: "They did try to implement that same environment, that same type of organizational culture in places like Tokyo and Sao Paulo. And I remember going out there to do interviews after the first year, and things were not going well."

She explains how Netflix had to tailor their feedback mechanisms to respect local cultural norms, eventually finding success by integrating cultural sensitivity into their approach. For instance, in Brazil, feedback was given during lunches to foster a relational environment, while in Tokyo, structured 360-degree feedback dinners proved effective.

7. Lightning Round: Quick Insights

Towards the end of the episode, Adam and Erin engage in a lightning round, addressing common questions about cross-cultural interactions.

• Worst Advice for Cross-Cultural Interaction:

  [36:38] Erin Meyer: "Don't make jokes. I do believe that as humans the most important thing we can do is laugh together and that when we laugh it builds bonds."

• Most Important Tip for Improving Cross-Cultural Interaction:

  [37:26] Erin Meyer: "I think the most important one is that we get a conversation started... if we can keep these three things in mind, then we can open a dialogue with curiosity and humility."

• Common Misconception About American Culture in Europe:

  [38:48] Erin Meyer: "Americans are superficial, hypocritical and fake... it's not that we've offered you friendship and then turned our back on you. It's that in our culture, that's not an offer of friendship."

8. Building Trust and Respect Across Cultures

Throughout the conversation, Erin and Adam emphasize the importance of balancing honesty with respect to build trust in multicultural settings. Adam reflects on his personal experiences, underscoring that fostering trust can make direct feedback more effective and less likely to damage professional relationships.

[27:54] Erin Meyer: "Once we get the trust right, then other issues like, are we giving feedback in a way that is going to be the most productive become less important."

Conclusion: Strategies for Effective Cross-Cultural Communication

The episode concludes with actionable strategies for enhancing cross-cultural interactions:

• Initiate Conversations About Communication Styles: Encourage open dialogue about how different cultures approach feedback, trust, and interaction.

• Adapt Organizational Practices Locally: Tailor feedback and communication strategies to align with the cultural norms of each international office or team.

• Foster Both Cognitive and Effective Trust: Build both reliability and emotional bonds to create a solid foundation for honest and respectful communication.

Adam Grant and Erin Meyer leave listeners with the understanding that successful cross-cultural communication requires continuous learning, empathy, and adaptation to navigate the complex landscape of global workplaces effectively.

[42:33] Adam Grant: "When we're interacting across cultures, we should communicate about how to communicate effectively. Let's put our cultural values on the table and then figure out if we care about both honesty and respect, what the most compelling ways are to combine those principles."

This episode of Worklife with Adam Grant offers a profound exploration of cross-cultural communication, equipping listeners with the knowledge and tools to thrive in increasingly globalized work environments.