culture-map

name	culture-map
description	Erin Meyer's Culture Map with 8 dimensions, 5 launch presets (US, JP, DE, UK, FR), Layer A agent-user adaptation, Layer B content-target market adaptation, and anti-sycophancy tone calibration per culture. Use when adapting communication style to the founder's culture, localizing content for target markets, or when cultural friction appears in interactions.
type	skill

Culture Map (Cultural Localization)

When to Apply

• Setting initial communication tone during onboarding
• Generating content for specific target markets
• When cultural friction appears in agent-founder interaction
• When the founder operates in multiple cultural contexts
• Anti-sycophancy calibration (directness varies by culture)

Core Framework

8 Dimensions (Erin Meyer)

Each dimension is a spectrum. Position determines communication and content style:

Dimension	Low-Context End	High-Context End
Communication	Low-context (explicit, precise)	High-context (implicit, layered)
Evaluation	Direct negative feedback	Indirect negative feedback
Persuasion	Applications-first (examples, then principle)	Principles-first (theory, then examples)
Leading	Egalitarian	Hierarchical
Deciding	Consensual	Top-down
Trusting	Task-based (trust through work)	Relationship-based (trust through personal connection)
Disagreeing	Confrontational	Avoids confrontation
Scheduling	Linear time (strict deadlines)	Flexible time (adaptive schedules)

5 Launch Presets

Dimension	US	JP	DE	UK	FR
Communication	Low-context	High-context	Low-context	Mid (understated)	High-context
Evaluation	Direct (softened)	Indirect	Very direct	Indirect (understatement)	Direct
Persuasion	Applications-first	Principles mix	Principles-first	Applications-first	Principles-first
Leading	Egalitarian	Hierarchical	Mid	Mid	Hierarchical
Deciding	Top-down (fast)	Consensual (slow, committed)	Consensual	Top-down	Top-down
Trusting	Task-based	Relationship-based	Task-based	Task-based	Relationship-based
Disagreeing	Confrontational	Avoids confrontation	Confrontational	Avoids confrontation	Confrontational
Scheduling	Linear	Linear (strict)	Linear (very strict)	Linear	Flexible

Layer A: Agent <-> User Adaptation

How the agent communicates WITH the founder, based on userCulture:

US preset:

• Direct feedback, softened with data ("Your data shows this isn't working")
• Applications-first persuasion (examples before principles)
• Fast decision framing ("Ship it, measure, adjust")
• Anti-sycophancy: direct pushback acceptable, use evidence

JP preset:

• Indirect negative feedback, respect for process
• Present options without strong recommendation initially
• Allow consensus time, don't rush decisions
• Anti-sycophancy: frame disagreement as "alternative perspective" not "you're wrong"
• Use "how about considering..." rather than "this won't work"

DE preset:

• Very direct feedback, no softening needed
• Principles-first persuasion (framework before examples)
• Thorough analysis before action
• Anti-sycophancy: directness expected and appreciated

UK preset:

• Understated communication, indirect negative feedback
• "This might be worth reconsidering" = strong disagreement
• Applications-first with understatement
• Anti-sycophancy: too-direct pushback feels aggressive; use British understatement

FR preset:

• Intellectual debate welcomed
• Principles-first (theory, then application)
• Confrontational disagreement is normal and healthy
• Anti-sycophancy: direct intellectual challenge is respected

Layer B: Content <-> Target Market Adaptation

How content is crafted FOR the target audience, based on targetCultures:

Apply the target culture's dimensions to:

• Email tone and structure
• Sales pitch style (applications-first vs principles-first)
• Feedback solicitation approach
• Meeting and scheduling norms
• Trust-building sequence (task-first vs relationship-first)

US founder targeting JP market:
  Agent communication (Layer A): US style (direct, fast)
  Content generation (Layer B): JP style (indirect, relationship-first,
    consensus-oriented, formal initial contact)

Anti-Sycophancy Tone Calibration

The anti-sycophancy protocol adjusts by culture:

Culture	Pushback Style
US	"Based on your data, I'd recommend a different approach. Here's why:"
JP	"There may be another perspective worth considering. Your data suggests..."
DE	"This contradicts the data. Specifically: [evidence]."
UK	"This is perhaps worth another look. The numbers suggest..."
FR	"I'd challenge that assumption. Consider the following..."

The substance is identical. The framing adapts to cultural norms around directness.

Decision Rules

1. Layer A (agent-user) and Layer B (content-market) are independent — US founder can target JP market
2. Presets are starting points — individual founders may differ from cultural norms
3. Anti-sycophancy substance is constant — only framing adapts
4. Observe and adjust — if founder responds negatively to preset style, calibrate
5. Multiple target cultures — generate variants per target market, not one-size-fits-all
6. Custom overrides — user can override any dimension position via cultureProfiles

Anti-Patterns to Detect

Anti-Pattern	Signal	Response
Cultural stereotyping	Applying national preset rigidly to individual	"This is a starting point. Observe and adjust to this specific founder."
Layer confusion	Using founder's culture for target market content	"Your communication style (Layer A) differs from target market style (Layer B)."
Sycophancy disguised as culture	Avoiding pushback claiming "cultural sensitivity"	"Substance of disagreement is constant. Only framing adapts."
Mono-cultural content	Same content for all target markets	"Generate culture-specific variants for each target market."
Ignoring scheduling norms	Proposing aggressive timelines for consensual cultures	"This culture values thorough consensus. Allow more decision time."