My journey into global leadership and cultural intelligence was not confined to the classroom. I also had the privilege of immersing myself in Italian culture for four weeks. Among the many lessons, the ‘Ten Cultural Values Dimensions’ framework left a profound mark. This tool, which provides a broad understanding of why people from diverse cultural backgrounds live and conduct business differently, was a revelation. It challenged me to delve deeper into the complexities of cultural diversity and its implications for global leadership.
One of the dimensions that stuck out the most was “Being vs. Doing.” This dimension compares cultures that place a higher priority on their quality of life versus cultures that emphasize constant activity and achievement. Italian culture is a great example of a “Being” culture. During my time away from class in Italy, I tried my best to immerse myself in the local culture, and I quickly noticed that Italians placed a high value on enjoying the moment. For example, I saw this occur often at restaurants; Italians usually use this time as leisure as they spent hours conversing with friends and enjoying themselves. In addition, in the late evenings, I saw a trend of locals gathering at either cafes or bars to enjoy a drink and snack. They spent this time connecting with others and distressed from their daily lives. As a result, I quickly felt the difference compared to the United States, where meals and gatherings often feel more quick and focused on efficiency rather than experience.
I relate this lesson on cultural intelligence to global leadership because I believe that understanding the differences between cultures in regard to how they live daily can help you become a better leader. It has developed my cultural intelligence and given me new ideas and approaches to navigate in diverse environments. With this experience and the help of the ”Ten Cultural Values Dimensions,” I feel prepared to be more empathetic, understanding, and effective when using my global leadership skills.
