Using the META model to build cross-cultural relationships

Am sure you know the story of the six blind men and the elephant. Each described the animal as a tree, wall, fan, rope, spear, and snake in turn, and each believed he was right. Each was creating his description from the part of the animal he was exploring.  

I know you know where I'm going with this: The map is not the territory. Each of us interprets the world differently and responds to our internal map of reality. These maps are plotted from a variety of beliefs, values and experiences and could often prove inaccurate when communicating with others, particularly from different cultures. 

Remapping via the Meta Model changes the language that guides behavior, opening one up to more choice.

We find asking the right questions allows leaders, individuals and teams across cultures to reexamine their experience or beliefs about the other.

We've worked with client-facing individuals who perceive the client as abrasive and difficult. There have been teams who brand their team leader as unapproachable and tyrannical. We've been able to stand in the gap and challenge these beliefs/perceptions. We've even worked with the said leader to tweak his style.

We use a combination of tools from mind maps and fish bone diagrams for the HOWs and WHATs. I've found the META model gives added impetus to problem solving.