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Individualism
or collectivism?
Do you define yourself as an “I”
or a “we”?
In considering
cultural dimensions or attributes
individualism
the “I”
prefers independence and self-reliance
As an individual
you are expected to take care of yourself
and your immediate family
but you have no obligation to the larger community.
Cultures which focus on individualism
celebrate the accomplishments of a person
rather than a group.
For example
does your employer single out an “employee of the month”?
Employees from that background, the “I” background
might more naturally seek to advance their own interests within the job
rather than that of the entire organization.
Australia
the U.S.
the U.K.
are all “I” cultures
emphasizing the obligations of the individual
the individual human rights, the individual’s personal responsibility
Are you familiar with the saying “the squeaky wheel gets the grease”?
This comes from cultures which focus
on the individual.
In contrast
cultures on the other end of the spectrum such as China, Pakistan, Venezuela
and Ghana
the group, the “we”
is of paramount importance
This is “collectivism”
An individual
is expected to be loyal to that group
and not advance his or her own personal interests at the expense of the group.
To operate outside the interests of the group
is considered shameful
both to the individual
and that group
whether family or work-based.
In fact
in Japan
(a “collectivist” or “we” culture)
unlike the squeaky wheel
“the nail that sticks out
will be hammered down”
In a workplace
favoring collectivism
relationships at work are considered to be family-like.
The employer offers protection in exchange for loyalty.
An employee with poor skills
would not be dismissed but probably moved to another position.
On the other end of the spectrum
employers and employees favoring individualism
see the work relationship as strictly business.
An employer
reasonably may terminate an employee for poor performance, and successful employees will
frankly consider accepting
a better pay offer
from a competitor.
These contrasting values can
seriously impair communication and expectations at work.
So which are you? Are you an “I”
or a “we”?
And what is your employer?