1. Asian Americans

2. Stereotypes & Myths They tend to retain their foreign ways so it is difficult for them to fit in ¼ to ½ Asian Americans born in this country They are unemotional & inscrutable Indirect communication, control emotions They are too passive & polite to be good managers Business & political leaders in Asia dispel this myth

3. Stereotypes & Myths They have learned how to make it in American society by working hard & being thrifty Family unit works longer, harder, for less pay They can’t seem to master English grammar & pronunciation They are good in technical occupations, but they don’t have leadership potential They know about all things Asian

4. Past Connections Chinese: Gold, Railroads and Exclusion Japanese: Migration, Concentration Camps Civil Rights Laws of the 1960’s Generation Gaps 1 st Generation – isolated, retain old ways 2 nd Generation – more Americanized but are strongly affected by their Asian heritage 3 rd & 4 th Generation – more American than Asian

5. Current Profile More than half live in the West 66% are foreign born Most speak another language – 65% Higher educational achievement Pay doesn’t match educational & occupational levels Self-employment is high They hold more high-status jobs

6. Asian American Values 1. Putting group concerns before individual desires 2. Promoting group harmony  Emotional discipline, avoid conflict, modesty, self-effacement and conforming 3. Accepting status differences – Hierarchy  Show deference to persons of higher status  Respect for manager 4. Revering education, thrift, & hard work 5. Communicating vaguely, indirectly, and silently

7. Chinese American Workers Largest of the Asian groups Ethnic antagonism forced them to open small businesses 1880 Chinese Exclusion Act Prohibited further immigration of Chinese Denied naturalized citizenship to Chinese immigrants already here Two distinct socioeconomic classes Tend to have much education or very little

8. Filipino American Workers Most are hardworking, well educated, and foreign born Their culture is a mix of subcultures Malay, Spanish, & American influences Place great emphasis on feelings & emotions than other Asians Must adjust to punctuality in U.S. workplace

9. Southeast Asian American Workers Vietnamese 70% are refugees from Vietnam war Many came from urban areas so adapted to U.S. culture more easily Hmong Semi-nomadic farmers Strong family & clan system No written language until 1960 Cambodians Nearly half the population fled the communists

10. Current profile Large families – Hmong family 6.6 persons Less educated – due to years of war, rural background Language barriers Low incomes

11. Japanese American Workers Farm owners and tenant farmers World War II all persons of Japanese ethnicity were interned in detention camps They were deprived of their constitutional rights without a trial Their property was confiscated and they lost wages for 3 years They have the highest income of any Asian American group

12. Korean American Workers Predominantly urban, educated, and from one generation Kibun = inner feeling or mood A good business person works to enhance the kibun of all parties Nonpersons To call someone by their first name is an insult Flattery is a key aspect of doing business

13. Asian Indian Workers First wave – Sikhs, farmers Second wave - professionals Highest educated Concentrated in the professions-brain drain Most speak English Culture is the most distinct of Asian Americans because of Hindu religion

14. Pacific Islander Workers Concentrated in California and Hawaii Hawaii most multicultural of all states Hawaiians decimated by disease Plantations imported Chinese, Japanese, Korean & Filipino laborers The culture has both Euro-American and Asian American themes

15. Barriers to Career Success 1. Provide support in overcoming barriers 2. Avoid typical assumptions & stereotypes 3. Determine generational status 4. Ascertain citizenship status 5. Question your assumptions about behaviors 6. Help people get to know Asian American co-workers

16. Leadership Opportunities 1. Build on typical Asian American characteristics 2. Recognize Asian American values as strengths 3. Apply leadership strategies 4. Make marketplace connections