Lewis Model Analysis

Today’s discussion on The Lewis Model brought to attention many strengths and weaknesses I have in my cultural classification. It enlightened me on how I fall into the linear-active category and close enough to the center to be a moderator. This new knowledge of myself will help me become a better leader by understanding myself and how I can view others without my pre-perceived conceptions, otherwise referred to as cultural black holes. I find strengths in being linear-active person and believe I can rely on them. In particular, my needs for step by step instructions. As crossculture.com puts it “Linear-active people tend to be task-oriented, highly organized planners who complete action-chains by doing one thing at a time, with a linear
For one, I come into conflict with multi-active individuals on a regular basis. Where I apply logic and step by step procedures, they go by their feelings and disregard, or no need for the rules. They crave that emotional response that I do not need. Because of our own unswerving beliefs, including our cultural black holes, we do not see other cultures as they really are. Not only are we taken in by the surface behaviors of another society, but we tend to evaluate that behavior according to our own standards (we see it through our own “cultural spectacles”). I have to take this quote to heart and remember this when I am judging someone. Not everyone thinks and acts like me, therefore I should try to see their point of view or culture from time to time. Being a more effective leader requires one to speak to their sense of beliefs and behaviors. The second biggest concern I have at being linear is my desire for short-term profits or achievements. As I result, I fail to plan for the long term goals or know what to do next once I achieved, or failed, at a goal. It takes myself great energy to
Military operations can be stressful in both garrison and combat with our do more with less mentality today. Every member of the team is needed to accomplish the mission and leaders have to know how to pull everyone together. We all have to understand our weaknesses and those of our Soldiers. Having a cross cultural understanding of how everyone thinks and removing our cultural blinders will greatly enhance any team on a military operation. “Any business interaction begins with communication. If communication fails, trust tends to break down and it no longer matters whether your counterpart is more masculine, feminine, generalist, particularist or any of the other academic terms coined by cultural theorists. We help you communicate effectively from the start.” That quote is easily applied to the military as an organization. Leaders have to know how their subordinates think and act, what will speak to them, and how to effectively communicate with them. A basic understanding of what culture they can be classified in can enhance any leader. It can be as simple as who to pair with whom to avoid conflict, choosing the right person for the job, or speaking to their logic and/or emotions to communicate effectively. When conflict does arise, a leader can use this model to address what type of soldier, linear-active, multi-active,