Customer Reviews

Americans at Work: A Cultural Guide to the Can-Do People

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Generally, I do not like sweeping generalizations.

This book proves there is an exception to every rule. Intended for while-collar managers, Craig Storti provides non-Americans with cultural observations about office workers. his goal, he says, is to provide useful generalizations of Americans at work. In the process, he provides them with enough background to take the guesswork and surprise out of dealing with them.

Storti examines six values he believes account for American workplace attitudes and behaviors. Among them:

1. American is the land of opportunity. The author suggests sounding positive. Merely being realistic or objective may brand you as a pessimist.

2. Can-do people. Don't be afraid of trial and error. Americans admire trying as much as succeeding.

3. Equality for all. Playing favorites is a recipe for failure.

4. You are what you have done. Eliminate elaborate procedures that obstruct action.

5. You are on your own. As a boss, paint the big picture. Then get out of the way and let your subordinates get it done.

6. Punctuality matters. Be on time for appointments and meetings.

Storti's generalizations are clear, telling and accurate. While a must for outsiders attempting to do business in the United States, this book is probably not a bad idea for locals to read and practice.

In a global economy, you inevitably will work with people from other cultures. But since culture determines behavior, how can people from outside the United States best adapt to working in the American workplace? And, how do they perceive American workplace behavior? Author Craig Storti examines American culture and extracts six key themes that drive the U.S. workplace. In the process, he teaches his fellow Americans about their unexamined workplace behavior. That's refreshing. Looking at yourself from the outside helps you re-examine how you work with others. The process opens doors to a whole new evaluation process that could revitalize many businesses. Unfortunately, while Storti makes interesting cultural points, his book is repetitive and belabors obvious ideas. His practical advice on such topics as table manners, fashion, gift giving, eye contact, touching and even sending e-mail is valuable, but could have been presented better in succinct bullet point summaries. However, we appreciate his introduction to behavior, manners and morés in the cross-cultural workplace.

As an avid reader of cross-cultural books, this one has some good nuggets that will help me and my team to figure out why Americans at work are sometimes not as straightforward as I first thought. There's another book on the subject that's better at the in-depth study and explanation of Americans in the workplace called "Working with Americans" (Denslow and Stewart-Allen) which I think is more helpful.

I found this book profoundly useful when moving from the UK to the US. While it cannot stop the kinds of cross-cultural frustration that everyone feels in a new environment, it provides excellent insights into the ways of thought in America. As a result, it will help you be less out of step with your American colleagues and you will have fewer moments of complete mutual incomprehension. Use the ideas in the book to rephrase your comments and suggestions to fit with US cultural drivers and you will find your them responding with unexpected enthusiasm. Remember, you are always "fine" or "good", your work is interesting and rewarding and, if you are not completely happy to be there, you are certainly "psyched" to dig in to the day's work. One of Storti's other books "The Art of Crossing Cultures" is also useful but is less US focussed.

This book agrees that generalizations about culture are hard to make because the generalization depends on who you're talking to. Compared to Australians, we're more formal at work, but compared to the Japanese, we are very casual. However, the book does break things down into patterns of behavior at work and how those may be interpreted by most Americans. For example, other cultures using indirect communication, such as latinos, can be misunderstood by Americans, who interpret literally what is said. Not complimenting something is not a way to indicate dislike, for example, saying you don't like it is. Saying something's "a little hard" doesn't mean you aren't planning to do it. There are a few things in the book that people new to working in the US might not know. For example, that conservative corporate environments still appreciate ties for men and hosery for women or that there is a system whereby women and/or higher-ranking workers enter and exit elevators first. There is an art to saying no and smiling and telling jokes with the boss is a subtle sign of respect. The biggest takeaway from this book that helps others understand the work environment is that we are an individualistic and at the same time very democratic society. This helps you understand every aspect of work life here because you must always market yourself, be direct, and at the same time respect the opinions or preferences of others as part of a democratic system.

This is the second book I've read by Craig Storti and I really like his style. He is genuine and considerate and is careful about broad generalizations. The information he shares about American culture in the work environment is really great and shows a lot of deep thought. I took several pages of notes based on his observations. I would recommend it for anyone doing a lot of work with Americans and for trainers who interact with cultural issues.

Written by the founder and director of Communicating Across Cultures and a former Peace Corps volunteer, Americans At Work: A Guide To The Can-Do People is a straightforward introduction to how American culture pervades and affects the American workplace. From basic ideals driving American behaviors - such as an obsession with efficiency, intense competition, and the celebration of individualism - to specific tips, tricks, and techniques to better understand how one's American co-workers think and react, Americans At Work is a superb resource and a "must-read" especially for readers for another country striving to adapt to American customs, but also for Americans seeking to better understand the corporate mentality of their own workplaces. A step-by-step, plain-terms tutorial for communication in the American workplace especially for readers accustomed to more indirect cultures is absolutely priceless; for example, it stresses that what Americans consider direct other countries tend to consider rude, and a typical American worker won't be offended by a "no" but will be offended by a "yes" when the real answer is "no.

I ordered this book and another book called International Management Behavior. They were not delivered. I have not yet been refunded my money for International Management Behavior even though I never got that book.