Working with Americans - successfully!

Many years ago, I faced an unexpected twist in my career – I was laid off. In fact, more than 75% of our department was let go. But why me? I was told I was "just so Dutch"?!

What?!

At first, I was baffled that my communication was considered “so Dutch”. Having successfully worked in Sweden and France prior to moving to the US, I considered myself a global employee and never anticipated that my approach to communication would be anything short of “interculturally sensitive”.

In hindsight, with perfect 20/20 vision, I realize that having lived and worked in several countries was not enough to make me recognize that I needed to adapt my communication style to align with American, or rather non-Dutch, expectations. In fact, I was blind to the subtle differences in workplace norms, especially regarding American hierarchy and communication! And these subtle differences had a huge impact, apparantly!

But here's the silver lining – that layoff turned out to be a blessing in disguise! Today, I'm passionate about helping Dutch companies and expats thrive in the US market by uncovering these hidden differences. The key to success in the US? Understanding the nuances of how Americans communicate, manage, and conduct business, combined with self awareness of one’s own communication and management preferences.

But guess what, my dear reader? You don't have to relinquish your Dutch (or any other) identity to successfully work with Americans; learning to comprehend the expectations of your American counterparts and developing strategies to bridge the differences will set you on your way to American business success.

Ready to master the art of effective communication, management, and business in the USA? Let’s talk and discuss how I can best help you and/or your team work successfully with Americans. Set up a time to speak here