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

By Craig Storti

Book Overview

Restless and driven, casual and direct - Americans are a challenge Learn how Americans behave at work and how to deal with them.Whether you work with Americans face-to-face, communicate with them by telephone or e-mail or interact together in a virtual team, Americans at Work reveals the subtle and the not-so-subtle aspects of American culture in the workplace.

Best-selling author Craig Storti provides historical perspectives and explanations of the six most important American cultural themes and their relevance to the workplace: - "Land of Opportunity" (a driven people)
- "Go-for-It Mentality" (ready, fire, aim; new is better)
- "Equality for All" (but don't forget who's boss)
- "The Drive to Achieve" (nice guys finish last)
- "Live and Let Live" (do your own thing)
- "Time Matters" (obsession with efficiency).

Learn about straight talk, American style, and how Americans aren't always as direct as they say they are. Find out why Americans are deeply conflicted about power: they crave it but are loath to be caught craving it. See how Americans view outsiders. Gain tips for succeeding in the American work environment. Finally, get the basics of work-related etiquette: conducting meetings, giving feedback, nonverbal communication, e-mail rules, gifts, taboo topics and so on.

Knowing how Americans work with each other will help you predict their reactions and, more important, their expectations of you. And if you are American, you will be better understand your own behavior and be able to work more effectively with collegues from other cultures.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1931930058
• ISBN13: 9781931930055
• Release Date: June 2004
• Publisher: John Murray Business Academic
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.9" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent introduction to US Business Practices

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...

A Guide to the Generalized Work Place

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. ...

Highly Recommended!

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...

A tutorial for communication in the American workplace

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,...