27 Charts of Leadership Communication Styles Around the World

Earlier this week I shared a great infographic about differences in global leadership (24 Charts of Leadership Styles). It used the amazing work of Richard Lewis and his work on global leadership and culture. Today’s content is a follow-up infographic from Mr. Lewis. It focuses on differences in global communication styles.

What is cultural agility?

Simply put, cultural agility is the ability to effectively navigate across cultures. It’s about understanding and respecting differences, and being able to adapt to new environments and situations.

In a globalized world, cultural agility is becoming increasingly important. As we interact with people from different cultures more frequently, it’s essential that we’re able to understand and relate to them.

Cultural agility is not just about avoiding misunderstandings or offensive behaviors. It’s about being able to build relationships, communicate effectively, and collaborate successfully with people from other cultures.

There are a few key skills that are important for cultural agility:

-Open-mindedness: Being willing to learn about and experience new cultures

–Flexibility: Being able to adapt to different environments and situations

–Empathy: Being able to see things from another person’s perspective

–Communication: Being able to express yourself clearly and understand others

If you’re looking to develop your cultural agility, there are a few things you can do:

-Travel to new places and experience different cultures

-Read books, watch movies, and learn about other cultures

-Talk to people from other cultures and ask them about their experiences

-Attend workshops or take classes on cultural competence

No matter how you choose to develop your cultural agility, it’s an important skill to have in our increasingly connected world.

As a Canadian who lives in America and occasionally teaches in Europe, I have had my share of communication mishaps. I have learned that the need to develop cultural agility is a critical skill for 21st century leaders. Take a look below and see if you have experienced any of these differences. Or more importantly, assess how others view you!

Interested in learning more about global leadership? You may enjoy some of my past posts about leadership norms around the word: Gender Equality, Assertiveness, Future Orientation, Power Distance, Performance Orientation, Human Orientation and Individualism. 

When Cultures Collide by Richard Lewis is available for purchase on Amazon.

Jeff Suderman is a futurist, consultant, and professor who works in the field of organizational development. He partners with clients to improve culture, leadership, teamwork, organizational alignment, strategy and organizational future-readiness. He resides in Palm Desert, California. Twitter: @jlsuderman Email: jeff@jeffsuderman.com