A500.4.3.RB_ValenteMarco

 Ballet Slippers or Adorable?

By and large, Americans believe that the power of choice is an inherent right; that choices are a result of their individualism and identity. The ability to express ones unique characteristics and tastes, some would argue, serves as a “calling card” or their own “mark.”

In today’s world, we Americans are bombarded with choices. Where walking into a coffee shop requires close examination of the ample flavors, healthy ingredients, and sizes of cups (beyond small, medium, large). This does not only apply to coffee shops. Likewise, car dealerships, computers shops, and cell phone stores would force a person to review the different models that they themselves have just as many different capabilities.

Choices may very well be seen as “empowering,” while the lack there of would be seen as restrictive or constraining. For example, in Dr. Iyengar’s experiment with Anglo-American and Asian-American children, Dr. Iyengar’s results showed that the Anglo-American children preformed best when they had the choice of anagrams and marker, while the Asian-American children did not perform as well. On the contrary, the Asian-American children preformed best when they were told that their mother had chosen the anagrams and marker, while the Anglo-Americans did not perform as well thinking their mothers had chosen for them. Dr. Iyengar further supported her findings by highlighting the major differences between the two groups, specifically the cultural influence when deferring to parental decisions in an attempt to achieve “community” and “harmony.”

Anyone that knows more than the basics about the Asian-American culture, would make the link that within the Asian-American culture, family, tradition and communal advancement are prevalent. On the other hand, within the Anglo-American culture, individualism and uniqueness would hold more stock.

Looking at Dr. Iyengar’s assumptions from a wider angle, we can see how the implications could affect a team/group, efficiency, or mission. As leaders, we do not need to be an expert in every culture. We merely need to understand that people process things differently and that they may have a different perspective. In do so, leaders could leverage their team member’s strengths and know how to get the most productivity from them.

Reference
Dr. Iyengar, Sheena. (2010). Ballet Slippers or Adorable? TEDGlobal. Retrieved from
http://www.ted.com/talks/sheena_iyengar_on_the_art_of_choosing?language=en