1. Keys to Success in the U.S. Workplace Karine Schomer, Ph.D. & Bidhan Chandra, Ph.D. Change Management Consulting & Training 22nd EPPIC Meeting May 9, 2002

2. Copyright CMCT 2002 Presentation Agenda Introductions and sharing of experiences Why are we different? Some basic cultural differences between South Asians and Americans The three keys to success in the American workplace Take-home tips Q & A

3. Copyright CMCT 2002 What is Culture? “Culture is software of the mind... the collective programming of the mind which distinguishes the members of one human group from another.... Culture, in this sense, includes systems of values, and values are among the building blocks of culture.” Hofstede (1991)

4. Copyright CMCT 2002 Our Cultural Programmers Parents, other family, neighbors, friends School teachers, college teachers Educational system Peers at work, supervisors, special mentors Religious teachings Stories, myths, proverbs Economic, social, political, technological conditions Geography, climate, history Media

5. Copyright CMCT 2002 Culture as an Iceberg Above the surface: dress, food, music, arts, etc. Below the surface: ideas, assumptions, beliefs, values, behaviors

6. Copyright CMCT 2002 Some Cultural Contrasts: USA-INDIA American culture tends to focus on tasks more than relationships. The reverse is true for India and other Asian cultures. American culture tends to be legalistic (emphasis on pre-defined rules and procedures). Indian culture tends to be more moralistic (emphasis on doing what seems right in the context and in terms of the feelings of the heart). American culture tends to view time as a linear commodity. Indian culture ends to view time as a non-linear context or experience. The general Americans style of communication tends to be low context (direct an to the point). Most Indians tend to have a high context communication style (indirect and more elaborated).

7. Copyright CMCT 2002 Communication Style High Context --------------------------  Low Context JapanChina Indian Sub-continentUSA

8. Copyright CMCT 2002 Keys to Success 1. Communication Skills 2. Cross-Cultural Understanding 3. American-Style Career Management

9. Copyright CMCT 2002 Take Home Tips 1. Understand the differences in core values and learn how to bridge them to your advantage. 2. Be a team player. Understand that your value in the organization is based not only on “what you know”, but on how much you can contribute to the organization. 3. Get an American or bi-cultural mentor. 4. Understand that you are always marketing yourself. 5. Learn your organization’s back-stage culture.

10. Copyright CMCT 2002 Take Home Tips ---> 6. Your professional success begins with your personal well-being. Develop and implement a plan for meeting your personal and family goals. Communicate meaningfully with your family. 7. Enhance your language and conversational skills. Be direct and assertive, not argumentative. Learn the art of American small talk. 8. Be a cultural ambassador. Teach Americans about your country. 9. Take advantage of opportunities to assume leadership.

11. Copyright CMCT 2002 Take Home Tips ---> 10. Develop a non-hierarchical management style. 11. Expand your network beyond your own cultural group. Practice being inclusive. 12. Be clear about your career goals and let people know what they are. 13. Expand and deepen your general knowledge about American culture, history, arts, etc. 14. Treat people equally and fairly, and insist on the same for yourself. 15. Have some fun!

12. Copyright CMCT 2002 You can contact us at: Change Management Consulting & Training, LLC 229 Carmel Avenue El Cerrito, CA 94530 Tel: 510-525-9222 Fax: 510-528-8281 E-mail: schomer@cmct.net & chandra@cmct.net Website: www.cmct.net