Tesco
Americans at Work
Book

Americans at Work

A Guide to the Can-Do People

Craig Storti
Intercultural Press, 2004

Read or listen offline

  • 0.5×
  • 0.75×
  • 1×
  • 1.25×
  • 1.5×
  • 1.75×
1×

Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Innovative
  • Applicable

Recommendation

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.

Take-Aways

  • The average American changes jobs eight times, changes careers three times and moves into a different house every seven years.
  • When working with Americans try to sound positive, don’t act intimidated, never suggest giving up and be willing to take risks.
  • Do not expect Americans to be impressed with the past or to stick with tradition.

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.

Comment on this summary or Diskussion beginnen