Americans at Work

A Guide to the Can-Do People

by Craig Storti

Intercultural Press, 2004

ISBN: 9781931930055
No. pages: 224

Category: Intercultural Management

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In this summary you will learn

• How U.S. cultural themes determine Americans’ work ethic and behavior
• What American workers expect of their non-American co-workers
• How Americans and non-Americans can work together more effectively

Why you should read Americans at Work

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, getAbstract appreciates his introduction to behavior, manners and mores in the cross-cultural workplace.

About the Author

Craig Storti is founder and director of Communicating Across Cultures, a Washington, D.C., intercultural communication training and consulting firm. A former Peace Corp volunteer, he has written many best selling books about the cross cultural experience, including the Art of Crossing Cultures, The Art of Coming Home and Figuring Foreigners Out. After living outside the U.S. for 25 years, he now resides in Maryland.