under the brim

In this episode, Kris explores the complexities of cultural differences in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual behaviors over generalized cultural assumptions. He draws on insights from Erin Meyer's book, 'The Culture Map,' and shows how cultural intelligence can improve communication and collaboration in diverse teams.

Takeaways

• Cultural understanding is nuanced
• Ask individuals about their preferences

Chapters

• 00:00 Understanding Cultural Differences
• 01:28 The Culture Map: A Deep Dive
• 05:32 The Importance of Individuality in Culture
• 11:11 Cultural Engagement and Employee Dynamics
• 18:29 AI and Cultural Context
• 24:36 Navigating Cultural Misunderstandings
• 31:50 Cultural Intelligence: Beyond the Map
• 38:50 Practical Steps for Cultural Engagement

Research mentioned  |  Investigación mencionada

• Meyer, E. (2014). The Culture Map. PublicAffairs. Spanish edition: El mapa cultural.
• Meyer, E. (2014). Navigating the Cultural Minefield. Harvard Business Review.

https://hbr.org/2014/05/navigating-the-cultural-minefield

• Kirkman, B., Taras, V., and Steel, P. (2016). Research: The Biggest Culture Gaps Are Within Countries, Not Between Them. Harvard Business Review.

https://hbr.org/2016/05/research-the-biggest-culture-gaps-are-within-countries-not-between-them

• Brewer, P., and Venaik, S. (2014). The Ecological Fallacy in National Culture Research. Organization Studies.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0170840613517602

• Minkov, M., and Hofstede, G. (2012). Is National Culture a Meaningful Concept? Cross-Cultural Research.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1069397111427262

• Gallup (2026). State of the Global Workplace: 2026 Report.

https://www.gallup.com/workplace/697904/state-of-the-global-workplace-global-data.aspx

• Tao, Y., Viberg, O., Baker, R. S., and Kizilcec, R. F. (2024). Cultural Bias and Cultural Alignment of Large Language Models. PNAS Nexus.

https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae346

• Tan, C. N., Han, M., Chua, R. Y. J., and Cheng, C. (2026). AI Models as Cultural Beings. PNAS Nexus.

https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgag084

There are two words killing more good ideas in your organization than any budget cut, and they sound polite every time. This week I take the famous rule from a Chicago comedy theater, yes, and, and show you what it actually means for leaders, because the corporate version most of us were taught is wrong.

What we get into:

• Why "yes, but" is sneakier than "no," and how everyone in the room hears the but delete the yes
• The research catching up with the improvisers: experimental studies showing improv training builds divergent thinking, tolerance for uncertainty, and confidence
• Yes, and is not agreement. It is acknowledgment, and the difference decides whether your team keeps offering ideas
• Cards face up: why the rule I am best at is the rule I have to watch closest
• Four moves for your next meeting, including putting your but on a delay
• Why the points not mattering on Whose Line Is It Anyway was the whole point

The Monday Move: pick one meeting this week. Every time you feel a but coming, replace it once, out loud, with yes, and. Then watch the other person's face.

The episode closes with Bajo el Ala, a 60-second takeaway in Spanish.

Count your "yes, buts" during this episode, then find me on LinkedIn and give me the number. Nothing else, just the number. I will know exactly what you mean.

Sources and further reading:

• Kelly Leonard and Tom Yorton, Yes, And: How Improvisation Reverses "No, But" Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration (Harper Business, 2015)
• Felsman, P., Gunawardena, S., and Seifert, C. M. (2020). Improv experience promotes divergent thinking, uncertainty tolerance, and affective well-being. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 35, 100632. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871187119302470
• Creative and healthy through improv: Effects of training improvisational theatre on creative and work-related self-efficacy and self-esteem. Thinking Skills and Creativity (2025). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1871187125000069
• Felsman, P., Seifert, C. M., and Himle, J. A. (2019). The use of improvisational theater training to reduce social anxiety in adolescents. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 63, 111-117. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0197455618301928
• Felsman, P., Seifert, C. M., Sinco, B., and Himle, J. A. (2023). Reducing social anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty in adolescents with improvisational theater. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 82, 101985. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019745562200106X
• Krueger, K. R., Murphy, J. W., and Bink, A. B. (2017). Thera-prov: A pilot study of improv used to treat anxiety and depression. Journal of Mental Health, 28(6), 621-626. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09638237.2017.1340629
• Edmondson, A. (1999). Psychological safety and learning behavior in work teams. Administrative Science Quarterly, 44(2), 350-383. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2666999

Under the Brim is a Brimwork production. New episodes weekly. brim.work

The episode explores the impact of AI on leadership and the challenges faced by managers in guiding employees through AI integration. It emphasizes the importance of human operating skills and the need for managers to develop emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence, and behavioral science to navigate AI implementation effectively.

Takeaways

• AI integration requires human operating skills, including emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence, and behavioral science.
• Managers play a crucial role in guiding employees through AI integration and must develop the necessary skills to do so effectively.

The episode explores the concept of cultural intelligence (CQ) and its impact on team dynamics and organizational success. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and engaging with differences, and the role of CQ in converting diversity into potential. The episode also highlights the need for leaders to develop the habit of pausing and generating multiple explanations before making judgments, as a way to cultivate cultural intelligence.

Takeaways

• Cultural intelligence (CQ) is the key to converting diversity into potential
• The habit of pausing and generating multiple explanations before making judgments is essential for developing cultural intelligence

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Cultural Intelligence and Team Dynamics
• 05:00 The Mistake of Treating Diversity as Input and Inclusion as Outcome
• 08:58 The Impact of Cultural Intelligence on Team Dynamics and Leadership
• 14:00 Cultural Intelligence in Domestic and International Contexts
• 20:01 The Four Muscles of Cultural Intelligence
• 24:45 Cultural Intelligence in Everyday Work Scenarios
• 30:05 Cultural Intelligence as a Habit and Leadership Practice

The episode explores the impact of power dynamics on communication in the workplace, highlighting the cost of speaking up and the role of leaders in creating psychological safety. It emphasizes the importance of behavior over intent and provides actionable insights for leaders to foster open communication.

Takeaways

• Power dynamics influence the cost of speaking up
• Behavior shapes psychological safety, not intent

Chapters

• 00:00 The Cost of Speaking Up
• 01:11 Silence as a Calculation
• 03:27 The Distortion of Feedback
• 12:01 Intent vs. Behavior
• 16:06 Creating Psychological Safety
• 22:57 Building Safety in Small Moments
• 27:46 Handling Disagreement
• 30:03 Closing Remarks

The podcast episode explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and human intelligence (HI) in the workplace, emphasizing the philosophy, impact, and future implications of this integration. It also highlights the role of HR in AI integration and the importance of investing in human skills for the future of work.

Takeaways

• AI complements human intelligence in the workplace
• HR needs to adapt to AI integration
• Investing in human skills is crucial for the future of work

Chapters

• 00:00 The Philosophy of AI plus HI
• 03:00 The Impact of AI in the Workforce
• 12:30 HR and AI Integration
• 15:03 The Future of Work: Human vs. AI
• 19:31 Investing in Human Skills

The episode explores the importance of self-awareness and understanding one's impact as a leader. It delves into the concept of the 'mirror' every leader needs to look into before reaching for the map, emphasizing the significance of self-awareness and its application in leadership and team dynamics.

Takeaways

• Self-awareness is essential for effective leadership
• Understanding and adapting to different communication styles is crucial for effective team dynamics

Chapters

• 00:00 The Mirror Every Leader Needs
• 02:03 The Importance of Self-Awareness
• 06:05 Understanding Communication Styles
• 23:45 Assessment and Team Dynamics
• 31:31 Leadership and Influence

Under the Brim is a podcast that explores leadership, empathy, and the human side of work. Host Kris Garcia shares his bilingual identity, observations of people and leaders, and aims to bridge the gap between leaders and employees. The show emphasizes respectful engagement, honest observations, and the integration of AI and human intelligence.

Takeaways

• Bridging the gap between leaders and employees
• Embracing disruption and honest observations

Chapters

• 00:00 The Symbol of the Hat
• 00:56 Introduction to Under the Brim
• 03:14 Bilingual Identity and Code-Switching
• 04:27 Observing People and Leaders
• 05:40 Leadership and Empathy
• 06:02 Podcast Experience and Return
• 07:37 The Hat as a Symbol of Conversation
• 09:11 The Double Meaning of 'Under the Brim'
• 10:21 Helping Leaders and Employees Speak the Same Language
• 13:30 Disruption and Honest Observations
• 14:42 Exploring HR Trends and AI Integration
• 15:13 Respectful Engagement and Listening
• 17:10 Bajo el Ala Segment
• 19:22 Closing and Community Growth