Lecture on Cultural Intelligence and the Global Village Myth

Speaker's Background

• Self-described as a "culturally conflicted Englishman"
• First generation born in the UK
• Educated at the French Lycee in London
• Spent much of his childhood in Italy
• 30 years as an international lawyer

First Experience with Cultural Differences

• Arrived in New York at 21
• Initial confusion with New York cab driver
  • American directness vs British politeness

Key Learnings from International Interactions

• Japanese and the meaning of “yes”
• Different interpretations among Dutch, German, and American clients
• English talking in a code that can be difficult to understand
• Displays of emotion in negotiations do not necessarily mean failure
• Different perceptions of time
  • E.g., monochronic vs polychronic cultures
• Importance of meals in negotiations (long lunches in Middle East and France)
• Use of silence in Finnish culture

Myth of the Global Village

• No single global village; many villages with unique cultures
• Misunderstandings are common despite global communication

21st Century Communication Paradoxes

1. Dominance of English in commerce
2. Reliance on digital communication

• Leads to cross-cultural dilemmas and misunderstandings
• Emails are often misinterpreted due to lack of non-verbal cues

Importance of Context

• Communication is about understanding the individual's or group's cultural context
• Contact does not equal communication
• Analogy to internet dating—at some point, personal interaction is crucial

Overreliance on Technology

• Original use of telephone for conversations now overshadowed by data
• Cultural shock is now invisible and virtual due to technology

Need for Cultural Intelligence

• Understanding that we do not all reason and think the same way
• Cultural intelligence includes understanding differences in risk, uncertainty, leadership, power, hierarchy, relationships, and trust

Call to Action

• Make cultural intelligence part of education at all levels
  • Homes, schools, universities, business schools, places of worship, community centers
• Potential benefits include combating bigotry, increasing tolerance, and improving daily interactions

Concluding Thoughts

• Reflecting on the idea that different cultural perspectives enrich rather than harm
• Each village does not represent the world; understanding this can contribute to a better, richer, and safer world

Key Quote

• French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: "If you differ from me, my brother, rather than harm me, you enrich me."