We don’t intend to change the people – we try to change behavior.  If the behavior won’t change, then we change the people.- Unknown

First, culture comes from the word cultivate.  Culture is a group phenomenon produced by the cultivation of many personalities, which is an individual phenomenon.  The personality of an individual is comprised of many attributes such as attitudes, feelings, norms, values, ideas, beliefs, knowledge, tastes, style, etc.  A group which is comprised of two or more individuals, will come together to mix and blend attribute.  Just as personality drives the behavior of the individual, culture drives the behavior of the group.  So, group behavior is cultivation.  Not surprising, the products of the culture are the results of group behavior; these include shared attitudes, feelings, customs, norms, values, language, ideas, beliefs, knowledge, tastes, style, etc.

Second, it is important to understand that because culture guides the behavior of the group, just as personality guides the behavior of the individual, the greater force will always influence the lesser force.  Most individuals will behave one way inside the group and a very different way outside the group.  Individuals who transform themselves to comply with the behavioral norms of the group are followers.  Individuals who challenge the behavioral norms of the group are leaders.

Third, it is important to understand that every culture believes itself to be the center of the right world.  They believe other cultures are either less right or wrong.  Rationalizations help support these beliefs.  When a culture comes to believe itself to be less right, it will learn, self-direct and self-correct to be more right.  Right or wrong is a theoretical perspective commonly known as the truth.  It is important to grasp that humans do not believe in facts, they believe in truths.  Facts are used to support or challenge the truth.  Think in terms of children who believe in Santa and how much their behavior is influenced by that belief.  In the mind of the child, the truth of Santa is supported by the facts that gifts magically appear under a Christmas tree.  As a consultant, I investigate the facts in order to understand the truths that are held by the culture.