The findings about "in-group collectivism" are important because this cultural dimension emerges as a strong predictor of the two most widely admired characteristics of successful leaders. In-group collectivism is "the degree to which individuals express pride, loyalty, and cohesiveness in their organizations or families" (House et al, 2004, p. 30). Some of the characteristics of societies that have high and low in-group collectivism (based on House et al, 2004, Table 16.1, p. 454).

HIGH IN-GROUP COLLECTIVISM societies have characteristics such as...

• Duties and obligations are important determinants of social behavior.
• A strong distinction is made between in-groups and out-groups.
• People emphasize relatedness with groups.
• The pace of life is slower.
• Love is assigned little weight in marriage.

LOW IN-GROUP COLLECTIVISM societies have characteristics such as...

• Personal needs and attitudes are important determinants of social behavior.
• Little distinction is made between in-groups and out-groups.
• People emphasize rationality in behavior.
• The pace of life is faster.
• Love is assigned great weight in marriage.