Understanding Myself Through Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions

When I first began exploring the themes we discussed in my podcast episode, I didn’t expect to stumble upon a framework that would so profoundly reshape how I understood my own experiences. For years, I carried a quiet sense of difference—feeling out of step with friends, colleagues, and even social expectations. It wasn’t until I encountered Geert Hofstede’s work on cultural dimensions that I realized there was a language, a structure, and a history behind those feelings. Suddenly, what had seemed like personal quirks were illuminated as cultural patterns.

A Brief History of Hofstede’s Work

Geert Hofstede was a Dutch social psychologist whose groundbreaking research in the late 1960s and early 1970s changed the way we think about culture. While working at IBM, Hofstede analyzed survey data from employees across more than 50 countries. Using factor analysis, he identified consistent patterns in values and behaviors that varied across national cultures. 

His original model outlined four dimensions: 

- Individualism vs. Collectivism – the balance between personal independence and group loyalty. 

- Power Distance – how societies handle hierarchy and inequality. 

- Uncertainty Avoidance – the degree to which people feel threatened by ambiguity. 

- Masculinity vs. Femininity – whether a culture emphasizes competition and achievement or care and quality of life. 

 Later refinements expanded the framework to six dimensions, adding Long-Term Orientation vs. Short-Term Orientation and Indulgence vs. Restraint. Today, Hofstede’s model is widely used in international business, education, and psychology to explain why cultures differ and how those differences shape behavior.

My Personal Awakening

 Reading Hofstede’s dimensions was like turning on a light in a dark room. I could finally see why I felt different from my friends growing up. For example, the individualism vs. collectivism scale helped me understand why my instinct for independence sometimes clashed with the group-oriented expectations around me. The uncertainty avoidance dimension explained why I was comfortable with ambiguity while others sought rigid rules and predictability. 

 This wasn’t about right or wrong—it was about perspective. Hofstede gave me a framework to interpret those differences without judgment. Instead of feeling isolated, I began to see myself as part of a broader cultural pattern. That realization was liberating. It allowed me to embrace my identity while also appreciating the values of those around me.

Why This Matters for My Work

 As someone deeply engaged in cross-cultural storytelling and education, Hofstede’s insights have become more than personal, they are professional tools. They help me script content that resonates across borders, design interviews that anticipate cultural nuance, and create resources that empower learners to navigate diversity with confidence. 

 In my podcast, I often emphasize the importance of frameworks that make the invisible visible. Hofstede’s cultural dimensions do exactly that. They reveal the hidden architecture of values and behaviors that shape our lives, often without us realizing it.

Closing Thoughts

Discovering Hofstede’s work was not just an academic exercise, it was a personal turning point. It gave me clarity, language, and validation. Most importantly, it reminded me that difference is not deficiency. By understanding the cultural dimensions that shape us, we can better connect with others, honor our individuality, and build bridges across divides.

That’s why I continue to share these insights in my podcast and writing. Because when we understand culture, we understand ourselves. And when we understand ourselves, we can truly understand others.

Try it yourself.

Where do you fit on Hofstede’s dimensions.  You can answer these questions, then visit https://www.geerthofstede.com to view the relative bar chart comparisons between your nationality and others. It’s fun!

Use these five guiding questions to explore how Hofstede’s framework might reveal insights about your own cultural identity and experiences. Take a few minutes to jot down your answers — you may be surprised at what you uncover.

1. Individualism vs. Collectivism 

- Do I usually prioritize my personal goals over group harmony, or vice versa? 

- How do I feel when my independence clashes with family or community expectations? 

2. Power Distance 

- Am I comfortable challenging authority figures, or do I prefer clear hierarchies? 

- How do I react when leaders make decisions without consultation? 

3. Uncertainty Avoidance 

- Do I thrive in ambiguous situations, or do I prefer strict rules and predictability? 

- How do I handle risk and change in my personal or professional life? 

4. Masculinity vs. Femininity 

- Do I value competition and achievement more, or relationships and quality of life? 

- How do I define “success” for myself? 

5. Long‑Term Orientation vs. Short‑Term Orientation 

- Do I focus more on future planning and perseverance, or immediate results and traditions? 

- How does this shape the way I set goals? 

Bonus: Indulgence vs. Restraint 

- Do I allow myself freedom to enjoy life and leisure, or do I feel bound by discipline and duty? 

- How do I balance pleasure with responsibility? 

Action Step:

After answering, look for patterns. Which dimensions feel most aligned with your personality? Which ones highlight differences between you and your friends or colleagues? This reflection can help you understand not only yourself but also the cultural lenses through which others see the world. Now, go look up you country on Hofstede’s website using the bar chart comparison tool.