Over the last twenty years, my family has traveled all over Mexico. We have visited tourist towns, as well as those towns that were not so populated. Many years ago, we used to visit the border towns now classified as dangerous, and currently, we own property not far from Progresso and visit there. The one thing that we always noticed, no matter what town we were in was the disparity between the classes of people. We would see some people where dressed to impressed, driving expensive cars and throwing around money. Also, in the same towns, we would see people begging on the streets and living in holes dug in the side of the mountain.
After reading about power distance and understanding that Mexico has a higher than normal score compared to average, the disparity makes more sense. According to Hofstede (n.d.), power distance is defined as “the extent to which the less powerful members of institutions and organizations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed unequally.” So, as we learned as leaders when working with individuals from Mexico, we should not be surprised and should expect there to be acceptance between the haves and the have-nots (PSU WC, L9, 2019). They accept this disparity as a part of their society. We also need to keep in mind that this power distance relationship happens in more counties and nations than just Mexico.
As we develop our leadership styles, we need to understand how a power distance relationship can impact our business communications. In countries that have a higher power distance index score, followers are just that; they will follow anything that a leader says because that leader is who has the power (The Articulate CEO, 2011). The same goes for leaders in those counties; they are responsible for making all decisions and resolving all problems because their followers will only comply which what they are told (The Articulate CEO, 2011). The opposite of this happens in countries with lower power distance indexes. In lower index counties subordinates and leaders work together to resolve issues, to encourage individual thoughts, and to problem-solve (The Articulate CEO, 2011).
Lastly, to fully understand the power distance index and how it relates to leadership roles, we must understand how people were raised. Take for example, in a family or a society that was built with a strong hierarchy between father, mother, siblings; the power index is going to be high. But, in the same scenario, if we look at a family or society that everything has an opinion, the power index will be low. As a leader, it will be essential to have a good understanding of everyone on your team, as well as the organization in which you work. It will be the flexibility of handling all facets of a culturally diverse scale that will make you successful.
Reference:
Hofstede. (n.d.). Country comparison. Retrieved November 04, 2019, from https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/the-usa/
PSU World Campus. (2019). Olead 410 Lesson 09: Central America and Mexico Retrieved from https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2008449/modules/items/27026994
The Articulate CEO (Ed.). (2011). Cultural differences – the power distance relationship. Retrieved November 04, 2019, from https://thearticulateceo.typepad.com/my-blog/2011/09/cultural-differences-the-power-distance-relationship.html
Chanine Yordy says
Great example of power distance in Mexico. I have also been there before and noticed that. It is interesting to see that their is not much of a middle class and there is either poor or rich. It is a lot different visiting places like that and understanding they follow those with highest power. Being a leader this is something you must take into consideration and choose the correct style. I agree with you that a good leader must understand and take into consideration the point of views from everyone on their team.