3 minutes max. - Human Skills in the Age of AI (English version)

Welcome to the Monday episode of "3 Minutes Max. – Human Skills in the Age of AI," a podcast dedicated to preparing you for the future of work alongside the AI co-host, Jules.

This week, dive into the nuances of Low and High Context Communication. Understand how different cultural contexts can lead to fewer misunderstandings, quicker agreements, and better collaboration, especially in diverse teams.

In today's episode, we explore the contrast between low-context environments where direct communication is favored, and high-context cultures where communication relies heavily on hints and relationships. For a deeper understanding, Erin Meyer's "The Culture Map" is a recommended read. Remember, while cultural profiles can guide, avoid falling into the trap of stereotyping.

Our first tip encourages you to evaluate communication styles in your next team meeting. Observe and note how directly each person conveys their message or whether they lean on storytelling or context. This can reveal a lot about your team dynamics.

Tip two incorporates AI: Utilize tools like Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, or browsers like Atlas or Comet to translate high-context messages into low-context ones, but remember, AIs have their limits in reading between the lines.

We invite you to follow "3 Minutes Max.," share the podcast, and reach out on LinkedIn. Learn about our available funding for cultural and strategy workshops, and join us again on Wednesday for a deeper dive into low-context communication.

For feedback or questions, feel free to fill out our [feedback form](https://forms.gle/JcooRoVck82Yez3QA).

Connect with Andre Ottlik on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreottlik/) · Visit the [Digital Leader Program website](https://www.digital-leader-program.com).

What is 3 minutes max. - Human Skills in the Age of AI (English version)?

How do you stay truly human when your job is shaped by AI, automation, and robotics?

In 3 minutes max., you get powerful input – three times a week – to sharpen your Human Skills and strengthen your clarity, presence, and agency.

Hosted by Andre and Jules – his AI sidekick. Curious. Smart. Sometimes provocative.

🎙️ Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays. Max. 3 minutes. Always on point.

3 minutes max. EP040 EN

00:00:00 Andre Ottlik: About seven years ago, I was sitting with a Chinese CTO of an AI automotive startup in one of my leadership workshops. The topic was setting better goals. I spent a good thirty minutes trying to get concrete answers from him. Or at least I tried. I kept asking what exactly he meant and whether he could summarize in one sentence what he wanted from his colleague. By the way, the colleague was sitting next to him and didn't understand what he was supposed to do either.

00:00:30 Jules: That doesn't sound very successful, does it?

00:00:33 Andre Ottlik: Nah, it was quite challenging. I just remember confusion at this moment. Was I missing something? I felt stupid.

00:00:41 Jules: Could be. But seriously, different cultures, different customs.

00:00:45 Andre Ottlik: Yeah. For sure. Well, I thought my counterpart couldn't be concise. I probably came across as rude and abrupt. Happily, nowadays this wouldn't happen to me. At least not to the same extent.

00:01:01 Andre Ottlik: Welcome to our Monday episode of 3 minutes max. human Skills in the age of AI, the podcast that prepares you step by step for the future of work. I'm Andre Ottlik.

00:01:11 Jules: And I'm Jules André's AI co-host this week. Low and high context communication. The benefit for you. Fewer misunderstandings, quicker agreements. Better collaboration. Especially in intercultural teams.

00:01:27 Andre Ottlik: In low context environments, the rule is say what you mean. In high context cultures, much is communicated through hints, relationships, and context. The same sentence can seem clear or too direct. Importantly with culture work, such profiles can help, but one should obviously not fall into stereotyping. our first tip for today is at the next team meeting. Note who is in the room and make notes on each person on a scale from one to ten, how easy is it for the team member to directly say what they want? Or to what extent do they convey their opinion cryptically or through stories? Then keep an eye out for their behavior. While some might communicate similarly consistently, some of your colleagues may have the flexibility to switch according to the situation.

00:02:22 Jules: Tip two with AI. Next time you receive an email from a colleague and are unsure what the high context message should mean, let Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, or a browser like Atlas or Comet translate the email into a low context message. But be careful we AI's can't read all the information between the lines either.

00:02:45 Andre Ottlik: Follow 3 minutes max. Feel free to recommend the podcast and message me on LinkedIn if you have any questions.

00:02:51 Jules: On Wednesday, we'll dive deeper into low context communication and help you express what you mean and want more directly.