The document explores the concept of global dexterity, defined as the ability to adapt one's behavior to different cultural expectations without losing one's identity. It presents various examples of individuals struggling with cultural adaptation, highlighting the challenges and discomfort involved. The text emphasizes the paradox of requiring flexibility to adapt while facing stress that hinders such adaptability, suggesting that resources for understanding cultural codes can help.

1. The Essential Guide to Global
Dexterity
© Andrew L. Molinsky 2016 All rights
reserved

2. We know a lot about culture and
cultural differences

3. Differences in How We Think

4. Differences in Expressing Feelings
I’m British and this
American chap is
getting just a bit
too close…

5. Differences in Rituals and Non-
Verbal Behavior
Why isn’t he
looking at me
in the eyes???

6. We don't see the world as it is. We see
the world as we are

7. We Know a Lot About Differences
But….

8. We don’t know as much about the
challenges of ADAPTING behavior
across cultures…. in light of these
differences

9. And that’s where Global Dexterity comes in…
© Andrew L. Molinsky, 2015 9

10. Global Dexterity is…
The ability to adapt your behavior – smoothly
and successfully – to the demands of a
foreign culture, without losing yourself in the
process
© Andrew L. Molinsky, 2015 10

11. But it’s easier said than done

12. For example…

13. From a Vietnamese MBA
Student Talking About Speaking in Class
I know participating in the US is required
to get good grades but somehow deep
inside I felt like I was doing something
very wrong. I was trembling, sweating. I
just could not look at the professor or
my classmates in the eyes. I felt guilty.

14. From an Indian Professional
Trying to Promote Himself at a Networking
Event in the US
I feel that I am performing a sin, trying to
become something that I am not, being
artificial and fake. I try to sell myself
bragging about my abilities to a stranger
and that feels so weird and selfish to me.
It makes me feel like I am doing things to
achieve my objectives at all cost

15. From an American Executive
Trying to Give German-Style Feedback
In the US we do the sandwich approach. But in
Germany, there’s no pre-amble, no protecting
anyone’s ego. Just the blunt, direct message of “I
don’t like that.” Or “that will not work.”
And it doesn't feel good to deliver that message. I
felt like an ogre – or like a hostile witness at a trial.
From the German perspective, it was being honest.
But I didn’t feel comfortable at all doing it.
© Andrew L. Molinsky, 2013

16. © Andrew L. Molinsky 2013 All rights
reserved
And this leads to what I call the
“paradox” of Global Dexterity

17. To adapt your behavior, you need to be
flexible.

18. But it’s very hard to be flexible when
the very experience of adapting
behavior is so stressful!

19. For example: Think about a time when
you were very stressed about
something.
Was that your most “creative” or
“flexible moment”?

20. Probably not!
Or at least I know it’s never that way for
me.
And that’s the same challenge with Global
Dexterity.

21. Want a solution? A way out?

22. Click here to get your free guide
to the cultural codes from 10
different cultures around the
world!

23. Thanks so much for watching!