Back in the 1960′s and ’70′s a researcher for IBM named Greet Hofstede did some amazing research about culture, and found 7 cultural dimensions that map onto all human cultures, and knowing those dimensions tell a lot about how the culture behaves. Those dimensions are:
- power distance (PDI)
- individualism (IDV)
- uncertainty avoidance (UAI)
- masculinity (MAS)
- long term orientation (LTO)
I’ve also gotten into a habit of thinking about how colleges fit into that scale, so I can better understand what they want or expect from a working (or personal) relationship. It’s an interesting and useful lens to use when figuring out how to work with people in an organization that you don’t automatically click with.
#1 by Matt Katz on 2013.02.04 - 12:14
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I find that the key thing to clock in every organization I encounter is the PDI. I come from a low PDI background and it’s critical to know if jumping levels is okay within an organization.
#2 by FarMcKon on 2013.02.04 - 12:18
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You have a great point, low PDI is the only things I’ve always seen in a great team. Most good teams also have a balance of individuality, without being too collectivist, nor too individual.
I’ve also noticed a lot of Uncertainty Avoidance in teams that build interfaces (including interfacing other parts of the business as a leader or manager). But in contrast people working on some sections invention/engineering love their uncertainty, since it gives room for creativity and invention.