What is a "culture"?
Grasping the expanse of multiculturalism

It is the word providing the predominant aspect of “multicultural” and the basis for “diversity” programs. Many people
give this word an extremely narrow designation, thinking of it as racial or religious.

This is not the view of Max Impact.

To ensure Max Impact is using the term correctly, we need to look at the dictionary. According to the American
Heritage Dictionary, Culture is “The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all
other products of human work and thought.”

The dictionary further explains “these patterns, traits, and
products considered as the expression of a particular
period, class, community, or population.”

With this thinking it is easy to understand there are many
categories of culture. Let’s say your family is planning a
summer weekend reunion by a wooded lake. Some will
look forward to the weekend as they will be able to swim,
ski, hike, relax, read, or engage in quiet conversation.

There six items can be categorized as “recreational”.
Upon further analysis, the first three are “active
recreations” while the last three are “sedentary
recreations”. Dig down further and you will find that each
of the six activities can also be considered a culture.
Swimmers, for example, may prefer pool, fresh, or salt
water, still or gently tidal waters, and so forth. People who
prefer pools think and act differently from people who are
avid about swimming in the ocean.

In fact, each level of these categories and subcategories
give us more insight into a group of individuals, with the
familiarity helping us to better relate to the culture’s
members as customers or employees.
About Max Impact

Max Impact is a strategy and leadership development company
based in Rochester Hills, Michigan.  Products and services
connect teams to a shared vision of success in a troubled or
rebounding economy.

For information about Max Impact, visit
www.getmaximpact.com, call 248-802-6138, or write
info@getmaximpact.com.  
©2009 Max Impact Corporation
Rochester Hills, Michigan, USA
www.getmaximact.com.