One example of a deep-level culture learning
intervention is a “cultural clarification” activity
to help teams joining forces in a merger or
acquisition learn about one another. Its objectives
are, first, to lift up emerging cultural
perceptions and stereotypes between the
partners and, second, to generate dialogue on
the desired cultural endstate for the combination.
The activity is built around each partner
group making three lists: (1) how we view our
organization’s culture, (2) how we view the
other side’s culture, and (3) how we think the
other side views our culture. The rosters include
business practices, interpersonal behaviors,
and values. Importantly, participants are
instructed to include characteristics that
either have been experienced firsthand or
heard about secondhand. The intention here
is to unearth all the perceptions and stereotypes
that are circulating regarding the
partner.