. 2020 Jun 27;34(5):1190–1199. doi: 10.1111/cobi.13530

Table 1.

Diagnostic questions that help identify signals of conflicting cultural models

Diagnostic question	Signal
Is it easy to reach consensus among colleagues who are like‐minded, but very difficult to have reasonable conversations with people who think differently? Does the opposition seem to be operating on flawed logic? Do the same arguments keep coming up despite statements of agreement and resolution?	There are likely deeper levels of conflict at play that need to be examined.
Are people being asked to choose whether or not to do something or to choose one option over another? Is the argument about who is right?	Cultural models are pitted against each other, closing off potential for creative solutions.
Does the information, behavior, or management action being promoted make other people feel bad, obligate them to do something they do not want to do, or challenge their moral order or daily routines?	People are being asked to act against their own cultural model, which may cause them to avoid information or go to great lengths to find arguments that counter the information.

Diagnostic question

Signal

Is it easy to reach consensus among colleagues who are like‐minded, but very difficult to have reasonable conversations with people who think differently?

Does the opposition seem to be operating on flawed logic?

Do the same arguments keep coming up despite statements of agreement and resolution?

There are likely deeper levels of conflict at play that need to be examined.

Are people being asked to choose whether or not to do something or to choose one option over another?

Is the argument about who is right?

Cultural models are pitted against each other, closing off potential for creative solutions.

Does the information, behavior, or management action being promoted make other people feel bad, obligate them to do something they do not want to do, or challenge their moral order or daily routines?

People are being asked to act against their own cultural model, which may cause them to avoid information or go to great lengths to find arguments that counter the information.