Hot or Cold???

Week 2

Sarah Lanier spoke on hot climate versus cold climate cultures.

Did you know that 80% of the world has a hot climate culture!?! We in America are in the minority.

Hot climate culture means that these people groups are relationally based. It’s all about inclusion, belonging and loyalty. The downsides that can surface are gossip, superficial relationships, and speaking in love and not truth. This is group culture and they value belonging and depending on each other. They have a high power distant style of authority. The leader is high above everyone else and the followers are all on a very low position. The followers give loyalty and obedience and the leader provides his followers with identity, direction, and provision. They are a usually high context society, which means EVERYTHING matters. Its formal, old traditions, and titles.

Cold climate cultures are task and efficiency based. People cultured this way value being straight forward; they always speak truth, and not always in love. Work is a huge focus. It's a big priority for them, to the detriment of relationships and families. They focus on individualism – it’s very self-focused, your rights, independence, entitlement, selfishness, and the “followers” all have to have a high level of competency. They have a low power distant style of authority. Its egalitarian but it usually has a leader who offers communication, information, coordination and defines roles within the group. The people offer initiatives, ideas, and their gifts. It’s a team effort, so there is little identity in roles.

Group Culture – Relational
• We own everything
• Don’t take responsibility
• No private conversations
• No counseling
• Inclusion culture (EVERYONE is invited)
• Sharing
• More explaining
• Honor everyone higher
“I am because I belong!”

Individualism – Task Goal
• Ownership is personal
• Respects privacy
• Not my business and I wont tell others
• Exclusion
• Stingy
• Personal possessions
• Depersonalized
• Not honoring
• Selfish
“I am because of what I make of myself!”

As a side note to our teaching –
Power is a battle of insecurity and incompetence.
60% of men are ruled by logical thinking
60% of women are ruled by feeling

Further research: Dr. David Swarr, Power Points. Eric Law, The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb

There’s SO much to learn from knowing about these things. Their existence and the effect they have within our world. We can understand people better if we understand where they are coming from. This hot vs. cold climate thing is only one thread in a tapestry of things that influence us.