Chapter 10 Working With Asian Americans

1
Chapter 10Working With Asian Americans
2
How do typical myths and stereotypes about Asian
Americans compare with current reality?

• Stereotype 1 Asian Americans are too passive
  and polite to be good managers
• Stereotype 2 Asian Americans are unemotional
  and inscrutable
• Stereotype 3 Asian Americans tend to retain
  their foreign ways so its difficult for them to
  fit in.
• Stereotype 4 Asian Americans have learned how
  to make it in American society by working hard
  and being thrifty

3
How do typical myths and stereotypes about Asian
Americans compare with current reality?
(Continued)

• Stereotype 5 Asian Americans cant seem to
  master English grammar and pronunciation they
  have communication problems
• Stereotype 6 Asian Americans are good in
  technical occupations, but they dont have
  creative or leadership potential
• Stereotype 7 Asian Americans know about all
  things Asian

4
What past events led to these myths and
stereotypes?

• The Chinese Gold, Railroads, and Exclusion
• The Japanese Migration, War, and Concentration
  Camps
• Civil Rights Laws of the 1960s
• Generation Gaps
• Second Generation
• Third and Fourth Generations

5
Who are Asian Americans

• China 24
• The Philippines 20
• Southeast Asia 16
• Japan 12
• India 12
• Korea 12
• Other country of origin 4

6
What are the values common to Asian American
cultures?

• Vale 1 Putting Group Concerns Before
  Individual Desires (Collectivism)
• Vale 2 Promoting Group Harmony
• Disciplined Emotional Expression
• Avoidance of Open Conflict
• Modesty
• Self-effacement
• Maturity Focusing on Others, Conforming, Giving
• Vale 3 Accepting Status Differences the
  Hierarchy
• Typical Customs or Behaviors
• Respect for the Managers Status

7
What are the values common to Asian American
cultures? (Continued)

• Vale 4 Revering Education
• Vale 5 Communicating Vaguely, Indirectly,
  Silently
• Being Vague
• Being Indirect
• Saying No
• Not Interrupting
• Other behavioral customs
• The Filipino Culture A Latino Flavor
• The Korean Culture Some Unique Viewpoints
• Kibun Inner Feeling, Mood
• Nonpersons

8
What are the key issues that are important to
Asian Americans?

• Issue 1 Model Minority A Mixed Blessing
• Model Minority Advantages
• Small Business Ownership Strategies and
  Challenges
• Advantages of Small Business Ownership
• Model Minority Costs Disadvantages
• Issue 2 Male-Female Dynamics and Differences
• Family Culture Clash
• Stereotypes of Asian Women Workers
• Reality Beneath the Passive Surface, Active
  Achievement
• Adapting or Being Indirect
• Issue 3 Educational Issues
• Getting Into Top Universities
• Establishing Asian American Studies Programs

9
How can I help the organization to meet the needs
and wants of Asian Americans?

• Need 1 Provide Support in Overcoming Barriers
• Need 2 Avoid Typical Assumptions and
  Stereotypes
• Remember, theyre Americans, not foreigners
• Determine generational status
• Ascertain citizenship status
• Dont make assumptions about language ability
• Dont assume theyre cultural ambassadors
• Avoid such terms as Oriental
• People with Spanish surnames may be Filipinos
• Constantly question your assumptions about
  behaviors
• Need 3 Help People Get to Know Asian American
  Co-Workers

10
How can I help Asian Americans contribute to the
organization?

• Opportunity 1 Build on Typical Asian American
  Traits
• Opportunity 2 Recognize Asian American Vales
  as Strengths
• Work with the value of strong obligation to
  family
• Respect their values regarding hard work and
  cooperation
• Understand their values of modesty and humility
• Understand their values of indirectness
• Respect their expression of emotion

11
How can I help Asian Americans contribute to the
organization? (Continued)

• Opportunity 3 Apply Leadership Strategies
• Explain deviations from traditional boss-worker
  practices
• Use the team approach
• Help bring problems to the surface
• Provide assertiveness training
• Build trust
• Express sincere personal concern
• Communicate clearly and check for understanding
• Choose motivators and rewards according to
  employees values
• Opportunity 4 Help Asian Americans Make
  Marketplace Connections
• Help them connect with the Asian American
  marketplace
• Help them connect with the Asian countires