First reason is history, we think its quite interesting but also has an big impact on their work

culture and business environement. For example a highly informal and very indirect style of
communication characterises the Brazilian business environment, which can be explained by
the social dynamics of previous colonial societies. Over 500 years of hidden corruption,
inequalities, and slavery have created the "perfect" social conditions in which people, in order
to survive, have to question laws and regulations and learn to say "yes" when they mean
"no". But also military dictatorships, high inflation, and in 1984, the establishment of
democracy.
So yes it is super interesting, because also, global leaders need to take time and go into the
deeper levels of the Brazilian cultural iceberg to engage with such an informal organizing.

Our second reason, is that brazil has a medium to high power distance. Which means,
Managers in Brazil tend to draw a clear line between employee and boss, but still maintain a
friendly atmosphere.
And we wanted to look into this topic more detailed, especially when it comes to
internationalization. Brazil people usually avoid generelaziation, and adapting new thinking
and expectations. So only organizations which fully understand the cultural context have a
chance to succed in his market.

Also being truly accepted by the locals as a leader is only the first challenge.

Knowing whether you are accepted or not is the more difficult one, as Brazilians would not
usually say so explicitly. The leader is usually the last to know how he is perceived and what
the real, day-to-day organizational problems are.

Our third reason was there unique culture

Brazils have a different intercultural theories (at least based from what we have in Germany):
the concepts of contextualization and communication style as well as the cultural meaning of
trust is unique.
For example brazikians make plans, lets say you invide some Brazilian friends to your
wedding, but they would not show up and cancel it at the last absolute minute.
Now you askind why they agree to plans if there is a possibility that they wont be able to
make it?
The thing is, In collectivist cultures, people have a hard time to say ‘no’, because a ‘no’
means almost a ‘bad word; giving an excuse sounds almost better than to say ‘no’. it is ‘too
direct’ for those people raised to value preserving social relations above all.

Business relationships in this country are between people, not necessarily between
companies. To establish a productive business relationship, it will be crucial to maintain and
demonstrate a long-term perspective and commitment. Brazilians may expect you to value
people and relationships more than your business objectives.

Another explanation would be: while trying not to say ‘no’, they have given ‘hints’ or early
justifications which already signed that the answer would be a ‘no’ (that probably only
another Brazilian would have understood).