An Island of Thieves?

A month ago, I was thinking and writing about culture. Culture is fascinating; the things that impact our decision-making that we might not observe or see are worth analyzing and studying. As I write this week's blog, I am sitting in Antananarivo the capital of Madagascar. I have been here for a few days and had the opportunity to meet several people and hear some of their stories. I’ve heard from several people that it’s not safe to be out after dark and that crime in certain areas is very high. I even heard someone say that Madagascar is an island full of thieves. When I first heard it, I was slightly shocked and immediately thought of the scripture in Titus 1:12, where Paul quotes a 6th-century BC poet, saying, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”  

Hard work in and around artist’s shops in Antananarivo

Back to culture, I’ve found the Magalises friendly and warm, and I’ve yet to have anything stolen (however, I have been diligent because of the warnings). I have learned more about their culture, and I think I at least understood the “island full of thieves” reference a bit. Madagascar's history from the late 1500s shows a mix of Indonesian, African, and Arab influence, and the 1800s brought French colonization that lasted until 1960. A mix of competing cultures and subjection to French colonization would build an interesting mix of underlying assumptions and values. In the 1800s, the queen instructed the people to resist the French and caused difficulty for them wherever they could despite their inability to defeat them. The French didn’t leave until 1960, only a generation before I was born, and an underlying assumption of not trusting central power and actively working to resist it will show up in behaviors and actions.  

All of this takes me back to our teams and organizations. What underlying assumptions shape our actions or how those around us perceive us?  

Leaders, how is your culture helping you? How is it hurting you?