Culture Crossing

Thrive in the multicultural communities where you work and live

People, money, and information are flowing faster than ever across international borders, putting us all just one step away from a culture crash—that moment when you unintentionally confuse, frustrate, or offend someone from another culture. Are you struggling with trying to learn the customs, nuances, and hot buttons of every culture you might come into contact with? Michael Landers guides you toward a better solution: becoming aware of your own cultural “baggage.” You’ll learn to sidestep the knee-jerk reactions that can get you into trouble and develop the agility to adjust your behaviors and expectations as needed. Through a mix of entertaining and instructive stories, valuable insights, and eye-opening self-assessments, Culture Crossing offers an essential primer for improving all your interactions with people from any background.

Michael Landers is the founder and president of Culture Crossing, Inc., a consulting company dedicated to finding innovative solutions for those working in multicultural contexts. Culture Crossing’s clients include Apple, Google, Samsung, HSBC, SAP, Novartis, Fiat Worldwide, Isuzu Motors, Kaiser Permanente, CalAtlantic Homes, and Mead Johnson, among others.

INTRODUCTION
Culture Crashing 1

ONE
Cultural Awakenings 9
How culture shapes our thoughts and behaviors

TWO
Me or We? 39
Recognize the differences between group and individual orientation, and why it matters

THREE
Say What? 65
Explore the nuances of verbal and written expression

FOUR
What’s Not Being Said 89
Discover the hidden meanings of nonverbal communication

FIVE
Now or Later 109
How perceptions of time can warp across cultures

SIX
Respect, Rank, and Ritual 129
The implications of formality at work and in everyday life

SEVEN
Core Values 151
Taking your cultural awareness to the next level

CONCLUSION

Culture Crossings Past, Present, and Future 171

Notes 175

Bibliography 185

Acknowledgments 187

Index 188

About the Author 193