Moving to a new country comes with a significant shift in all aspects of your personal and professional life. As a newcomer to the U.S., you would invariably find yourself immersed in a work culture that you might not be familiar with.
Therefore, it is quite essential to be aware of the nuances of how Americans interact and behave at the workplace to be able to assimilate properly. Once you observe the work and business environment around you, you will be able to adapt to the practices and norms quickly.
This article is your essential guide to the crucial elements of business etiquette and workplace culture in the U.S.
A note on American business culture
Like larger social practices in the U.S., American business culture is also based around individualistic and “universalist” notions of behavior. This means that Americans place a higher regard on their personal development and achievements than they do on those of a group. They like to follow rules explicitly, and additionally, expect others to do so too.
A workplace environment like this is characterized by orderly and rules-based behavior, with little space for deviation.
So, when you begin working in a typical U.S. firm’s office, be aware of this tendency for formality and regulation.
5 typical practices in the U.S. business environment
Punctuality
You will find that Americans place a high premium on their time. Any time wasted is time that could have been used for working and increasing productivity.
This applies to meetings, scheduled work hours, calls, appointment, and anything that involves a pre-arranged interaction. If you plan to call someone at 10:00 a.m., make sure that you stick to it. The person on the other end would not appreciate having to wait for your call more than a couple minutes beyond the scheduled time.
Individualism
In the U.S., most employees will work extremely hard to optimize their own productivity and meet their goals. The race for increasing performance is immense, and all workers in the office take this competition seriously.
Performance is usually evaluated based on the sector you work in through regularly updated targets. Americans prefer to focus on their personal productivity, rather than work collectively on these targets.
This is because even if you are a part of a team, you will have individual responsibilities for your assigned task. You will be accountable for all aspects of that task.
Communication
Americans are direct and to the point in their business interactions. Vagueness and indecisive communication often lead to confusion and frustration. This is quite unlike how you might be used to communicating abroad.
It is a simple mantra: When a quick “yes” or “no” can suffice, do not complicate matters with a “maybe”. Be prepared for this attitude at the workplace. You won’t find your colleagues beating about the bush and unnecessarily engaging in small talk.
All meetings will be crisp and concise.
Participation
Keeping with the general attitude of openness and discussion, Americans tend to voice their opinions freely. It is not uncommon for employees to raise questions or concerns, even with their bosses.
Hierarchies are not rigid in the workplace, and everyone is treated fairly and respectfully. So, participate in meetings, planning sessions, and conferences freely. Your views will be treated with due consideration.
Political correctness
The office is a place for professional and respectful interaction. U.S. business etiquette dictates that you do not make your co-workers uncomfortable with language or actions that can be considered offensive. Even jokes or comments that are appropriate in informal, social settings are not appropriate for the office.
Keep away from divisive topics like politics, race, or religion while at work. Avoid making comments about an individual’s personal matters, as it is considered rude and offensive.
Dos and don’ts in American business etiquette
- English is the working language in most offices. Work on your language skills to communicate effectively with your co-workers.
- Do not be late for meetings or appointments. In fact, try to reach your destination 5-10 minutes before the given time. If you cannot avoid delays, call and inform the person hosting the meeting in advance.
- Stick to the firm’s rules and standard operating procedures. This will avoid any friction between you and your employers.
- Most first interactions are quite formal. Refer to your colleagues or acquaintances with their proper titles: “Mr.”, “Dr.”, or “Ms.”. Do not assume the marital status of a woman; stick with “Ms.” unless she directs you to use “Miss” or “Mrs.”
- Do not misspell names and designations, especially when you are addressing someone senior to you. If you are unsure about the spelling, get in touch with their office to confirm.
- Documentation and formalities are essential. Americans rarely do business without drawing up extensive written contracts that go through several rounds of negotiations. Do not rely on just a verbal confirmation for a deal; always put it on paper.
- Do not engage in close physical contact like hugs. Most Americans prefer to keep their distance, so a firm handshake is the most contact you should have at the workplace.
- Most importantly, when you’re in a team with other newcomers to the U.S., do not switch to another language if there is a native English speaker participating in the discussion, even if passively.
About entertainment and informal interaction
- Offices in the U.S. try to inculcate a friendly atmosphere outside working hours for team-building and celebrating achievements. You will find events like Christmas and the New Year celebrated in the office with a big party for all employees.
- This is a more relaxed environment than regular office interactions, and you will be able to better socialize with your colleagues. Although, remember to still conduct yourself professionally and not say anything that will be seen as distasteful or inappropriate.
These tips about basic dos and don’ts will help you to navigate through business interactions and relationships. American work culture is different than that in many other countries, so prior knowledge of what to expect will help you be comfortable at your new workplace.
All it takes is sharp observation and a little bit of effort to adapt to a new set of rules and business culture.
