culture-map
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.
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
- Layer A (agent-user) and Layer B (content-market) are independent — US founder can target JP market
- Presets are starting points — individual founders may differ from cultural norms
- Anti-sycophancy substance is constant — only framing adapts
- Observe and adjust — if founder responds negatively to preset style, calibrate
- Multiple target cultures — generate variants per target market, not one-size-fits-all
- 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." |