“Tightness” and “looseness” describe the strength of social norms in cultures, with tight cultures enforcing strong rules and low tolerance for deviance, while loose cultures embrace weak rules and high tolerance, influencing behaviors and attitudes across social classes.

Systems, from galaxies to communities, exhibit a predictable pattern of tightness or looseness based on perceived threats, with tight cultures enforcing strong rules and low deviance, while loose cultures promote flexibility and creativity, each presenting unique advantages and challenges.

In today’s complex, multicultural workplace, effective leaders must adapt their communication styles to connect with diverse individuals by understanding their differences and preparing for interactions with thoughtful pre-engagement questions, as advised by leadership strategist Jane Hyun.

Cultural assumptions, often perceived as common sense, can lead to misunderstandings in international relations; thus, David Kang emphasizes the importance of questioning these biases, particularly Eurocentrism, and integrating local knowledge to better understand Asia’s diverse perspectives and trends.