Cultural differences can have a massive impact on how people communicate with each other and perceive those around them. Don’t use your culture background as an excuse for behaving like a d*** but talk openly about the cultural differences that explain your communication style. Meyer explains that people from high-context cultures have a shared cultural understanding, etiquette, and norms that influence their communication style. Instead of focusing on individual elements, they emphasize the relationships between individual elements. A common assumption about Asians is that they are vague when giving an opinion and take ages to get to the point.

To evaluate where a culture lies on the disagreement spectrum, ask yourself: How much would openly disagreeing with someone harm your relationship?

Americans precede anything negative with three nice comments; French, Dutch, Israelis, and Germans get straight to the point; Latin Americans and Asians are steeped in hierarchy; Scandinavians think the best boss is just one of the crowd.

Erin Meyer’ “ The Culture Map” is your guide to effortlessly transcend the cultural barriers and acquire the much-needed skills to “decode cultures foreign to your own. Though people from peach cultures look friendly, getting the trust and really getting to know someone from a peach culture requires effort. Finally, in cultures that meet to learn about what you're deciding on, expect vigorous, open debate.Let's look back at when you were still a high-school student in math class, would your teacher present the formula first or start with examples?

It is therefore a better form of trust to build than high task-based that works only with a few cultures. People from cognitive cultures still work to establish rapport with their colleagues and clients through icebreakers and socializing. But looking at what other kinds of cultures—our gender and generation, for example—have influenced us is also an essential business skill. Meyer defines low-context cultures as cultures where people communicate and receive messages at face value.The team will spend time discussing and reviewing issues sometimes quickly and other times over many months and then come to a conclusion as a group. Living and working in Africa, Europe, and the United States prompted Meyer's study of the communication patterns and business systems of different parts of the world.

Meyer defines high-context cultures as cultures where communication doesn’t occur at only face value. Meyer separates her strategies both by the culture’s leadership style and your rank in that culture. We can not disregard individual differences but we shouldn't ignore the range that culture sets either.While visual learners may find this helpful, it’s not necessary, and may be visually confusing, to draw a line connecting all the axes. However, if with a German client you only present your findings without first explaining your methodology, he will question your credibility and professionalism.