3 minutes max. · Episode 40 · Cultural context
Cultural Context - AI
Also on Apple Podcasts · Spotify · RSS feed for any app · This episode in German
About this episode
- Episode
- #40 of 48
- Published
- 17 November 2025
- Length
- 3:01 min
- Series
- Cultural context
- Hosts
- Andre Ottlik and Jules (AI)
In short
In low context settings people say what they mean, while in high context cultures much is said through hints and relationships. Knowing the difference means fewer misunderstandings and faster agreement. Profiles help, but avoid stereotypes.
Three things to try
- In your next team meeting, rate each person from one to ten on how directly they say what they want.
- Watch who communicates the same way every time and who switches with the situation.
- When an email leaves you unsure, ask Gemini, Microsoft Copilot or an AI browser to translate it into a low context message.
Read more: Profiling — Reading People Without Putting Them in a Box
Transcript
Read the full transcript
- 00:00 Andre Ottlik
- About seven years ago, I was sitting with a Chinese CTO of an AI automotive startup in one of my leadership workshops. The topic was setting better goals. I spent a good thirty minutes trying to get concrete answers from him. Or at least I tried. I kept asking what exactly he meant and whether he could summarize in one sentence what he wanted from his colleague. By the way, the colleague was sitting next to him and didn't understand what he was supposed to do either.
- 00:30 Jules
- That doesn't sound very successful, does it?
- 00:33 Andre Ottlik
- Nah, it was quite challenging. I just remember confusion at this moment. Was I missing something? I felt stupid.
- 00:41 Jules
- Could be. But seriously, different cultures, different customs.
- 00:45 Andre Ottlik
- Yeah. For sure. Well, I thought my counterpart couldn't be concise. I probably came across as rude and abrupt. Happily, nowadays this wouldn't happen to me. At least not to the same extent.
- 01:01 Andre Ottlik
- Welcome to our Monday episode of 3 minutes max. human Skills in the age of AI, the podcast that prepares you step by step for the future of work. I'm Andre Ottlik.
- 01:11 Jules
- And I'm Jules André's AI co-host this week. Low and high context communication. The benefit for you. Fewer misunderstandings, quicker agreements. Better collaboration. Especially in intercultural teams.
- 01:27 Andre Ottlik
- In low context environments, the rule is say what you mean. In high context cultures, much is communicated through hints, relationships, and context. The same sentence can seem clear or too direct. Importantly with culture work, such profiles can help, but one should obviously not fall into stereotyping. our first tip for today is at the next team meeting. Note who is in the room and make notes on each person on a scale from one to ten, how easy is it for the team member to directly say what they want? Or to what extent do they convey their opinion cryptically or through stories? Then keep an eye out for their behavior. While some might communicate similarly consistently, some of your colleagues may have the flexibility to switch according to the situation.
- 02:22 Jules
- Tip two with AI. Next time you receive an email from a colleague and are unsure what the high context message should mean, let Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, or a browser like Atlas or Comet translate the email into a low context message. But be careful we AI's can't read all the information between the lines either.
- 02:45 Andre Ottlik
- Follow 3 minutes max. Feel free to recommend the podcast and message me on LinkedIn if you have any questions.
- 02:51 Jules
- On Wednesday, we'll dive deeper into low context communication and help you express what you mean and want more directly.
More on Cultural context
- #40Cultural Context - AI (this episode)
- #41Low-Context AI Hacks
- #42High-Context AI Tips
With your team: Culture design · All episodes
Want to work on this with your team?
In a 30-minute call we talk about where your leaders stand and which format fits. Free and without obligation.
Book a call