Decoding cross-cultural communication with Erin Meyer

When I work with these international companies who are working around the world, the non-Americans will say, Oh my gosh, like why do Americans talk so much in meetings? Hey everyone, it's Adam Grant. Welcome back to Rethinking. My podcast on the science of what makes us tick with the Ted Audio Collective. I'm an organizational psychologist.

and I'm taking you inside the minds of fascinating people. To explore new thoughts and new ways of thinking. My guest today is Aaron Meyer. She's my favorite expert on how we communicate and collaborate differently around the world. Erin's lived in Africa, Europe, and the US, and her book, The Culture Map, is the most useful resource I've encountered for decoding cross-cultural interactions.

So Turkey, they have an expression which is dear daughter in law, listen to what I'm saying to my daughter, because the message is not for her, it's for you. And that's what we call triangulating, which is that I can give feedback. to one person that I'm close to in front of someone else that I'm not close to, and the person who's listening will understand the feedback is for them. Erin is a professor at INCAD, where she's been recognized as one of the world's most influential management thinkers. She also co-authored a book, No Rules Rules, with Reed Hastings, the Netflix co-founder and longtime CEO. Across her different projects and accomplishments, she's discovered a through line.

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