2009-02-25
When I moved to the USA seven years ago, I knew nothing about the North American business jargon. I came to the erroneous conclusion that when my employer criticized my way of doing the work she was very disappointed in me.
I perceived it as strange when she was still daily bubbling happy and seemingly sympathetic to me despite the fact that she suddenly could criticize me or comment on my personal attributes.
After international business studies, I started to realize why my conclusions not were true. It was about the culture, the business jargon. In the office, I observed my North American colleagues, how they talked to each other, and noticed their jargon, which reminded me so much about my previous work experience in the U.S.
I drew the attention to my colleague who received criticism or, according to me, inappropriate comments and discovered that unlike how I would have reacted, the colleague responded with a shrug. Furthermore, the involved colleagues could be best friends an hour later.
During a course on Wall Street in NYC, I met a chief operating officer with many years of experience in recruitment. In his experiences with Swedes, he had worked with 3-4, he actually preferred not to recruit a Swede again. This despite the fact that he said that no one can organize, be reliable or as honest as us Swedes. However, continued the team chief operating officer, the Swede feels bad for some undefined reason and then becomes silent and apparently angry. This had damaged the work situation and he did not want to experience that same situation again. I wish that Swedes could talk more about problems, said the chief operating officer.
The meeting with this person reminded me of my first period of time working in the U.S. I did not know what I know now: An insult to a Swede may be a compliment for a North American. You have to be aware of the culture. What Swedes may take as an insult, may in fact mean that you are popular and accepted in the group.
Do not let cultural differences stop your company's success or your career, capture knowledge of your host country's business culture as well as our Swedish. Turn uncertainties to benefits by taking part of others' experiences and knowledge - create conditions for profitability and wellness in order to thrive!