USA – Page 4 – understand-culture

Discipline vs. Deviation

Americans seek that fine line between process discipline and flexibility. However, the moment a process step makes unnecessary demands, “no value-add”, Americans will deviate. Examples

For Americans to be realistic means understanding what is possible. The possible is determined not only by past and present circumstances, but also by the ability to shape a new future. Persuasive is explaining how to move from the present into the future. Examples

Scores

Feedback scores are most effective when they are accurate and realistic enough, but also motivating. When in doubt, Americans are inflationary. The school grading system is: A is excellent; B is very good; C is good; D is unsatisfactory; F is failure. Examples

Quality

For Americans quality is just one of several product characteristics. And it is always a function of price. In fact, in the U.S. market it’s all about value, about the relation of quality to price. Examples

Collaboration

Collaboration in the American business context is defined first und foremostly by the customer. They not only define what they want, but also to a significant extent how they want it. Examples

Risk

Historically America has always had generous margins of error: resource rich, protected by two oceans, two neighbors posing no threat. Mistakes were seldom costly. Risk-taking often paid off. Americans take risks. Examples

Speed

Americans become impatient if too much time is required to resolve a conflict. Festering conflicts are disruptive for any team. A suboptimal, yet prompt resolution, is often better than an optimal, but late one. Examples

Unsolicited Advice

Americans seldom give colleagues unsolicited advice. Even then, depending on how sensitive the topic is, they will communicate their advice in carefully worded language. Examples

Process as Power

Because Americans are less inclined to view processes and procedures as governing the inner workings of a company, having the say is seldeom the forum where battles over power and influence take place. Examples

Inform vs. Sell

In the U.S. business world to persuade means to sell persuasively. Persuasive argumentation leads the audience to a choice. The audience is then asked to make a decision. Americans ask the so-called closing question in a direct and frontal way. Americans sell. Examples