Page 79 - Harnessing the Strengths

62 ■ Servant-Leadership in the Intercultural Practice

the truth, even if that harms your friend (profes-
sional standard), or do you protect your friend,
even at the cost of the truth? In other words, do
you choose your professional standard or your
unique friendship? Where is your highest respon-
sibility? This case brings many of the deepest cul-
tural differences to light.

This hypothetical case clearly illustrates the importance
of the point of view from which people operate. The diver-
sity in answers is enormous. People around the world react
differently to this example, as can be seen in Figure 6.1.
In cultures where the rules are very important, such
as Australia, the United States, Switzerland, and Finland,
most people choose the truth, opting for an objective article
being published in the paper about the terrible quality of
the restaurant. In cultures that place strong value on excep-
tions, such as China, Korea, and Russia, most people would
make an exception in this special case, and write a partially
true, but totally positive, article for their friend, even if that
means going against their professional standards.

Problems and Solutions

If people all over the world react differently to a hypotheti-
cal story, then it will come as no surprise that it happens all
the time in daily life, leading to many misunderstandings.
Everyone reacts from his or her own perspective and there-
fore clashes with colleagues who operate from a different
perspective are not infrequent. It makes a good deal of differ-
ence whether you follow universal rules or you prefer to pay

attention to specific circumstances and behave accordingly.
The debate over “rules or exceptions” can apply to a wide