Page 214 - Essentials of Human Communication

Membership, Leadership, and Culture 193

One obvious consequence of this difference in orientation can be
seen in how individualistic and collectivist groups treat members who
commit serious errors. A group governed by individualistic norms is
likely to single out, reprimand, and perhaps fire an errant member.
Further, the leader or supervisor is likely to distance himself or herself
from this group member for fear that the error will reflect negatively on
his or her leadership. In a more collectivist culture, the error is more
likely to be seen as a group mistake. The group is unlikely to single out
the member—especially not in public—and the leader is likely to bear
part of the blame. The same is true when one member comes up with a
great idea. In individualist cultures that person is likely to be singled
out for praise and rewards, even though the effort was to benefit the
group. In collectivist cultures the group is recognized and rewarded for
the idea.

HIGH and lOw POwer dIstanCes ViewPOInts
In high-power-distance cultures, power is concentrated in the hands Power distances
of a few, and there is a great difference between the power held by these
people and the power held by the ordinary citizen; examples include In low-power-distance cultures, there is a general feeling of
equality, which is consistent with acting assertively; so
the cultures of Malaysia, Panama, Guatemala, Philippines, Venezuela, you’re expected to confront a friend, partner, or supervisor
Mexico, China, the Arab world, Indonesia, and Ecuador (Hofstede, assertively (Borden, 1991). In high-power-distance cul-
Hofstede, & Minkov, 2010; Singh & Pereira, 2005). In low-power- tures, direct confrontation and assertiveness may be
distance cultures, power is more evenly distributed throughout the viewed negatively, especially if directed at a superior. How
citizenry; examples include Austria, Israel, Denmark, New Zealand, would you describe the cultures of the group in which you
Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, and Costa Rica participate—face-to-face and online?
(Hofstede, Hofstede, & Minkov, 2010).
The power distance between groups will influence the group of
friends you develop, as well as whom you might date (Andersen, 1991).
For example, in India (which is high-power distance) your group of friends is
expected to be chosen from those within your cultural class (as are your dating
partners). In Sweden (which is low-power distance), a person is expected to form friendships
(and romances) on the basis not of class or culture but of individual
factors such as personality, appearance, and the like.
In high-power-distance cultures, you’re taught to have great respect for authority; peo-
ple in these cultures see authority as desirable and beneficial and generally do not welcome
challenges to authority (Westwood, Tang, & Kirkbride, 1992; Bochner & Hesketh, 1994). In
low-power-distance cultures, there’s a certain distrust of
authority; it’s seen as a kind of necessary evil that should be limited as much as
possible. This difference in attitudes toward authority can be seen in the classroom. In high-
power-distance cultures, there’s a great power distance between students and teachers; stu-
dents are expected to be modest, polite, and totally respectful. In
low-power-distance cultures, students are expected to demonstrate their knowledge and
command of the subject matter, participate in discussions with the teacher, and even chal-
lenge the teacher—something many members of high-power-distance cultures wouldn’t
think of doing.
High-power-distance cultures rely on symbols of power. For example, titles (e.g., Dr.,
Professor, Chef, Inspector) are more important in high-power-distance cultures. Failure to
include these honorifics in forms of address is a serious breach of etiquette. Low-power-
distance cultures rely less on symbols of power, so there is less of a problem if you fail to use a
respectful title (Victor, 1992). Regardless, you still may create problems if, for example, you
address a medical doctor, police captain, military officer, or professor with “Ms.” or “Mr.”
The groups in which you’ll participate as a member or a leader will vary in power dis-
tance; some will be high-power-distance groups and others will be low. You need to recog-
nize which is which, to follow the cultural rules generally, and to break the rules only after
you’ve thought through the consequences.