Power distance comes in many forms, changing from country to country. In essence, it describes how submissive people are to authority and how much their culture values respect towards superiors and elders. Understanding this phenomenon is a helpful tool when managing diversity and cross cultural teams in the workplace. Power distance is an important cultural norm to recognize when dealing with people from different backgrounds. Because the ranges of power distance vary so greatly, we will focus on the extremes; low and high power distance.
Low Power Distance
In low power distance countries there is a large focus on equality. Managers are not quick to express their rank to subordinates or make them feel inferior. In fact, employees often work in collaborative efforts with their superiors. Managers will not only encourage ideas and opinions from their employees, but sometimes may depend on them. It is common in some countries for the work force to be on a first name basis with each other. Relationships between managers and employees in low power distance cultures will typically be stronger than high power distance cultures and employees find it easier to communicate and express concerns.
Examples of Low Power Distance Countries:
- Australia
- Austria
- Denmark
- Israel
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- Sweden
Denmark: Employees are on a first name basis with managers and help with decision making in collaborative team efforts.
High Power Distance
In high power distance countries respect is key. Managers and even the elderly are treated with a greater amount of respect. Employees on a first name basis with their superiors is extremely rare and even perhaps frowned upon. It is not uncommon for managers to hold all the power and employees are expected to conform to their style. In other words, managers may not consider the ideas and opinions of subordinates at all. Actually, employees may experience discomfort when asked to contribute ideas and help with decisions. Employees are somewhat expected not to question authority and be submissive to their superiors. In these countries a hierarchical system is encouraged and expected.
Examples of High Power Distance Countries:
- China
- Saudi Arabia
- Turkey
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Russia
- Philippines
Turkey: Students in elementary and high schools stand up to greet their teacher whenever they enter the room.
Power Distance Solutions
There are a few simple steps to help with the process of experiencing power distance in the workplace. The following steps will help in embracing diversity and blending in comfortably to a culture's norms.
Recognition
Power Distance Solutions
There are a few simple steps to help with the process of experiencing power distance in the workplace. The following steps will help in embracing diversity and blending in comfortably to a culture's norms.
Recognition
- Recognizing people have differences is crucial. Whether these differences be physical, generational, or cultural it is important to enter a situation with an open mind and be accepting of different cultural norms.
Fairness
- Once people's differences have been recognized one should treat people accordingly. This involves establishing an understanding of certain cultural aspects that make people unique. People should be treated fairly and with respect towards their differences.
Encourage Interaction
- Employers should encourage interaction between employees in a non-confrontational and friendly manner. The only way to learn about different cultures is to talk about it. There is no better way of educating someone on cultural norms than to hear it directly from someone who comes from a different background as them. Direct conversation between diverse backgrounds is essential to breaking down and understanding people's differences.
Patience
- It is important to establish a certain degree of patience when dealing with cross-cultural teams. Because of the different styles people possess it will often times take longer for diverse teams to accomplish a task. Especially in a culture with a high power distance where the power may reside all on the manager, it will typically take longer for a task or project to be completed. Additionally, getting a response back from your superior in a high power distance culture will probably take longer than in a low power distance culture.