The Power of Ambient Culture

Little things can re-enforce culture in big ways

I am dashing this off from a hotel room in the Middle East, needing to get out the door in a few minutes. Ambient culture has crossed into my morning and I felt the need to share this now.

As I opened the window this morning I saw a sticker placed on the ceiling, reminding guests of the direction of Mecca (it is the small circle with the arrow

). This is one of so many reminders that I am in a Muslim culture. This morning I was awoken to the sounds of the call to prayer. Last night I saw a man drop onto his prayer rug in a small room off the hotel lobby. Getting off the airplane I watched as women, uncovered until landing, hauled out their headscarves and prepared for this culture.

I call this “ambient culture.” These are the background reminders of the worldview in which I find myself. Ambient culture is a constant re-enforcement of the many ways that the dominant culture tells us who we should be. In the US, rainbow pride stickers are an example of ambient culture. The old church steeple bell, which used to ring out and remind of us of a Christian heritage, used to be ambient culture. I could go on, but you get the idea. Ambient culture is all around us and everywhere. It is not the in-your-face reminder, like a sermon or a protest, but the little cues which, taken together, make a big statement.

The power of ambient culture can be used not only at the level of society, but also in ministries, churches, and your own personal life. By leveraging these cues we can re-enforce and support a message that we believe in. We can grow the feeling of a team, group, or individual in a positive direction. We can remind others that together we innovate, evangelize, disciple or whatever it is that God has called you to do.

One of the dominant leadership theories of the past 25 years has been the culture theme. The leader sets the culture, and the rest takes care of itself. Think about ambient culture as a leadership tool.

(Please forgive typos - I am writing this on my phone)