Cultural Dimensions
| Dimension | High | Low | Example Contrast |
|---|
| Context | High: Meaning in context, relationships, non-verbal (Japan, China, Arab countries) | Low: Meaning in words, explicit, direct (USA, Germany, Scandinavia) | Feedback: 'Perhaps we could consider...' (high) vs 'This won't work' (low) |
| Directness | Indirect: Preserve harmony, save face, read between lines | Direct: Say what you mean, honesty over harmony | Disagreement: Silence or topic change (indirect) vs 'I disagree because...' (direct) |
| Hierarchy | High: Defer to authority, titles matter, top-down | Low: Flat structures, challenge ideas regardless of rank | Meeting: Junior stays quiet (high) vs everyone expected to contribute (low) |
| Individualism | Collectivist: Group harmony, 'we' over 'I', consensus | Individualist: Personal achievement, 'I' ownership, initiative | Credit: 'The team delivered' (collectivist) vs 'I led the project' (individualist) |
Time Zone Etiquette
| Item | Description |
|---|
Rotate Meeting Times | Don't always schedule during YOUR work hours. Rotate: this sprint favors APAC, next favors EMEA. |
Record Everything | Meetings recorded + transcribed + shared. No FOMO for people who couldn't attend. |
Async-First Culture | Default to async communication. Assume colleagues are asleep when you're working. |
Time Zone in Calendar | Display multiple time zones. Schedule in UTC internally. Convert for external. |
Core Overlap Hours | Find 2-3h window where all time zones overlap. Protect for sync meetings. Rest = async. |
Writing for Global Teams
| Item | Description |
|---|
Avoid Idioms | 'Hit it out of the park', 'Circle back', 'Low-hanging fruit' — meaningless to non-native speakers. |
Avoid Cultural References | Sports metaphors, TV shows, local politics. Your reference is someone else's confusion. |
Simple English | Short sentences. Common words. No jargon. ESL speakers process 30% slower — make it easy. |
Confirm Understanding | 'Can you summarize the key takeaway in your own words?' — confirm, don't assume. |
Emoji with Caution | Same emoji, different meaning across cultures. 👍 is offensive in some Middle Eastern cultures. |
Building Inclusive Culture
| Item | Description |
|---|
Holiday Awareness | Team holiday calendar. Don't schedule deadlines during Ramadan, Diwali, Lunar New Year. |
Pronouns | Include in profiles. 'They' when unsure. Creates inclusive environment. |
Meeting Inclusion | 'Let's hear from someone who hasn't spoken yet.' Draw in quieter team members. |
Written Follow-Up | Verbal decisions + written confirmation. Benefits non-native speakers and async workers. |
Assume Positive Intent | Brusque email might be language barrier, not rudeness. Ask before judging. |
Pro Tip: In global teams, assume positive intent. Communication styles differ dramatically across cultures — what feels 'direct and efficient' to you may feel 'rude and aggressive' to someone else.