Chapter 2: Intercultural Dimensions
4. Reconciling Cultural Differences
All of the mentioned cultural dimensions lie between two poles of which each represents an extreme attitude.
In reality, extreme characteristics are rather rare. Nevertheless, these differences are often the cause for misunderstandings in an encounter between people from different culture groups.
To reconcile cultural differences, one can use the Square of values developed by Helwig and used for interpersonal communication by Friedemann Schulz von Thun.
The Square of values is based on the philosophical knowledge of Aristotle that "every virtue is to be appointed as the middle ground between two flawed extremes".
This insight can also be applied to the model of cultural dimensions:
Here, Schulz von Thun suggests a reflection of the differences as each party advocates a valuable principle and therefore represents part of the truth. Willingness and the ability to understand each other in an appreciative way are an indispensable prerequisite for reconciliation and intercultural competence.
Trompenaars too proposes a similar approach to solve intercultural conflicts. He proposes three steps: recognising cultural differences, respecting cultural differences and reconciling cultural differences.
To reconcile cultural differences, one can use the Square of values developed by Helwig and used for interpersonal communication by Friedemann Schulz von Thun.
The Square of values is based on the philosophical knowledge of Aristotle that "every virtue is to be appointed as the middle ground between two flawed extremes".
This insight can also be applied to the model of cultural dimensions:
Here, Schulz von Thun suggests a reflection of the differences as each party advocates a valuable principle and therefore represents part of the truth. Willingness and the ability to understand each other in an appreciative way are an indispensable prerequisite for reconciliation and intercultural competence.
Trompenaars too proposes a similar approach to solve intercultural conflicts. He proposes three steps: recognising cultural differences, respecting cultural differences and reconciling cultural differences.
Figure: The Square of values (Own illustration based on Schulz von Thun, 2006)
In these video, Value Matrices are explained with the help of examples