Do you feel intimidated when you need to speak to someone in a higher authority than yourself?
Do you suddenly get scared, freak out and FREEZE when it’s time to start a conversation with a person in higher authority?
I’m not sure about you, but
I do!!!
I was recently moved to a new project at my workplace where I now work with senior directors and vice presidents! (faints). Coupled with my introversion, this compounded my fear!
In the process of asking myself why I was experiencing this, the Holy Spirit reminded me of one of the dimensions of Geert Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory- ‘Power Distance’! (Nerd much?! Haha)
- WHAT IS POWER DISTANCE?
It is used to describe how individuals that belong to a specific culture view power relationships (superior/subordinate relationships) between people. This also includes the degree that people not in power accept that power is spread unequally.
- WHAT IS THE CONNECTION?
Living in Nigeria, I was raised rightly to respect my elders and those in higher levels than I am. So, I grew up accepting the status quo and I dared not question authority. In a sense, I grew up accepting an unequal distribution of power which demonstrates the high power distance present in the Nigerian culture.
Immigrating to Canada, I found myself in a culture where I was encouraged to challenge the status quo even to my superiors and express my thoughts. Clearly, the culture in Canada encourages questioning authority and expects individuals to participate in decisions that affect them which demonstrates a lower power distance in the culture.
This culture shift explains to an extent why I freeze sometimes when in a room with people with ‘Big’ titles!
- WHAT TO DO NOW?
I was having a chat recently, with my husband about all the ‘important’ people I had a meeting with and I was already getting overwhelmed (LOL) until he said
“Akhere, it’s just Titles”
I paused for a moment and thought ‘Oh yeah it is!’.
Underneath the titles are human beings like me with insecurities, doubts, goals, families, and other human components! They are basically people just like you and me! Who are also trying to figure things out too!
So, the next time you have a Title Paralysis, remember
“It’s just Titles”
God Bless you Tremendously
Akhere
Photos: Pexels.com
