Oh if only life were simple! I raised questions in the multicultural teams workshop that perplex me – questions like: “If the field program is managed using a relationally oriented high-context approach and the decisions documented through contextual logic, and the funding partner works in a goal oriented, low-context world where logic follows a linear pattern, how do I help these people connect (and not just be frustrated with each other)?” The group response tended to be: “That is a good question. That’s really hard.”

Let me be more concrete. Low context, linear logic cultures explain things logically by showing how point A leads to point B which leads to point C. To make this result happen, we need some specific resources, and will spend them in this specific way. The most important thing is that this we work together to obtain the planned results.

The other culture will explain things logically by telling a story about point A (without ever stating the point explicitly). And then tell several other wonderful and interesting facts and stories. And if you know the context of the stories and the events going on in the world, you will be able to infer the meaning, and the resources needed. It makes sense. (It’s logical!) And as long as no other more important thing comes up to any of the significant people involved (or their close relatives to whom they might have obligations), then the resources will be used to accomplish the task. Otherwise we realize that the importance of maintaining those relationships will take priority and might delay or derail the results.

It is not simple to connect such divergent teams. Nor is it simple to train people to be able to operate in such a different cultural environment.

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