Includes bibliographical references (p. [143]-145).

¨It is all too common - and costly - for people in international groups to misunderstand each other. The Cultural Advantage: A New Model for Succeeding with Global Teams introduces a powerful new tool for international companies to overcome the obstacles inherent in global teams. The Model of Freedom helps individuals distinguish between personal and cultural behavior and allows them to contribute to better teamwork. Mijnd Huijser's insights are relevant for a wide variety of groups, helping to achieve better results on a national level, an organizational level and even at a small unit level when dealing with cultural differences. The Cultural Advantage teaches both managers and team members how to turn tensions in their corporate cultures into sources of energy, leveraging the advantages of cultural diversity for best results.¨ (Book Cover)

CONTENTS:

Introduction Advantage of Cultural Differences
Who Should Read This Book?
Background on the Model of Freedom
Structure of the Book

Chapter 1 From Hurricane to Drizzle

Chapter 2 Beyond Mars and Venus: On cultural identity Definition of Culture
Authority
Rules
Individual Freedom
Individuality and Role Behavior
Universal Aspects of Culture

Chapter 3 Model of Freedom: On the cultural model Individuality and Role Behavior
Thinking and Acting
Authority
Systems of Rules
Short but Meaningful

Chapter 4 Perceptions of Reality: On cultural orientations Action-orientation Features Outside Perception Expressions Process-orientation Features Outside Perception Expressions Task-orientation Features Outside Perception Expressions Role-orientation Features Outside Perception Expressions Application of Diagrams Culture Is Emotion Warning

Chapter 5 Paterfamilias or Superman: On leadership Leadership Attributes
Charisma
Charismatic Leaders in Different Cultures
Leading an Intercultural Team
Recognizing Differing Expectations

Chapter 6 Living with Barbarians: On communication Content or Context
Information: Right or Privilege Sound of Music Predictability and Trust

Chapter 7 Gladiators with Unequal Weapons: On meetings Styles of Meeting
Influencing Decisions
Spontaneous Reflexes
Golden Rule
Conscious Approach

Chapter 8 Crossing the River Rubicon: On change processes Threat or Challenge
Six Sigma
Rewarding Change
Conflict Management

Chapter 9 Hunters and Farmers: On corporate cultures National and Organizational Cultures
Development Stages
Subcultures
Tension as a Source of Energy
MoF for Organizations

Chapter 10 Ceci n'est pas un team: On a winning intercultural team
Team Is a Living Paradox
Team Cultures
Characteristics of an Effective Team
Trust, the Cement between Cultures
Rational and Emotional Trust
Culturally Intelligent Team
Best Practices

Appendix 1: The Theories of Hofstede and Trompenaars

Appendix 2: The Origins of the Model of Freedom

Appendix 3: The Model of Freedom in One View

Appendix 4: Train the Trainers

Appendix 5: Literature

About the Author