If you travel to other countries, you will find different kinds of workplace cultures and different relationships between people at work. These differences happen because workplace cultures are influenced by a country's culture.

In most cultures the interests and well-being of the group are important. However in some countries, the individual is more important than the group at work. These countries have an individualistic work culture. In other countries, the group is more important. This is called a consensual work culture.

In an individualistic workplace culture the individual employees are mainly concerned about themselves as individuals, rather than the company they work for. In these workplaces, there is a big gap or social distance separating managers and workers. This is sometimes called "power distance". The managers have much more power and status than everyone else.

In these workplaces, those with high power status have the authority to make their own decisions and then make sure that those with low power status carry them out. It is important that workers show respect for and obedience to those in management. The lower levels have very limited decision-making powers. A result of this kind of workplace culture is that workers rely on rules to regulate their performance. Another result is that there is little trust.

A consensual workplace culture is very different. It has a much less formal management structure. In many countries of Northern Europe and Asia the working culture relies on a trust in all employees. The role of management is one of leadership. A few boundaries are set, and within these the workers are free to use their best professional judgments. Employees have the power to organise their own work process without constant supervision. This high level of trust encourages co-operation and equality. A consensual workplace focuses on co-operation and equality, and values harmony and agreement. Those in management share their power and decision making.