Dimension 2 of 11
D2: Authority
Who gets to decide, and who gets to question them? Understand it, and a lot of workplaces, families, and friendships start to make sense.
What is Authority?
Authority describes how much a culture expects and accepts unequal power and status, and how decisions are expected to flow: from the top down, or from everyone in. Neither end is better. Each answers a different question about who gets a say.
Two ends of one spectrum
Low Power Distance
Status matters little. Leaders downplay hierarchy and expect input from below, and respect is earned through character and performance, not title.
High Power Distance
Status shapes how people interact. Those with authority are expected to decide, deference to rank, age, and position is the norm, and challenging a superior openly is often seen as inappropriate.
Different roots around the world
Two cultures can land on the same end of the spectrum for very different reasons.
Nordic Europe: Jante Law
An unwritten rule, “Don’t think you’re anything special,” makes for flat leadership and a real distaste for visible inequality. Wealth is often played down, not shown off.
Latin Europe: paternalism
Those with power owe protection to those without, in exchange for loyalty. The message is, “I’ll take care of you, but I need your allegiance.”
South Asia: age and tradition
Respect is built into everyday language. In Pakistan, an older man may be called “chacha,” an honorific that marks age-based deference.
Three things to keep in mind
1. “High” has many roots
Protective paternalism, rank and honor, and tradition and age all produce high power distance. Ask whose authority matters here, and why.
2. Notice who protects whom
Power often runs through personal loyalty, not just titles: “Big Man” politics in Africa, or krysha (“roof”) in Russia. Learn the web of favors and protection.
3. Titles are a signal
Honorifics mark respect, like Poland’s Pan and Pani before first names. Wait to be invited to use first names.
Authority, from the pages and the screen
Low power distance feels like
Merida (Brave), who openly challenges her mother and the lords.
High power distance feels like
Queen Elinor (Brave), who upholds royal protocol and rank-based deference.
Both at once feels like
The Mandarin of Yangcheng (Gladys Aylward), who gave a foreign woman real authority.
Take the one-page D2 guide with you
A free, printable Culture-Ready Guide to Authority: the two ends of the spectrum, a world map, three key principles, character cameos, and quick Do’s and Don’ts. Grab it free, along with all 11 Dimension guides.
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Centered • Curious • Considerate • Confident
Dimension 2 of the 11 Dimensions of Culture