Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling: Career Strategies for Asians – Overcoming Cultural Barriers to Executive Leadership

It is to Jane Hyun's credit to discuss issues of Asian American professionals on a very practical level. There are however, some caveats for the reader. The book needs to be contextualized within a larger conceptual framework. The overarching issues are ignored within her practical framework, namely: Who needs to change? Who needs to accommodate whom? How much? What are the risks and benefits? Her book appears to be saying that corporate America needs to understand Asians, but it does not need to change. Rather it is the Asian professional that needs to change and adapt.Is the book too heavily assimilationist? It is not clear as Hyun does make a distinction early in her book between assimilation ("adopting ...at the expense of one's own cultural characteristics") and acculturation ("adapting ...while continuing to maintain values, perspectives, and features of one's native culture").There appears to be little adaptation of any Asian models or perspective to the mainstream USA corporate culture -- page 279 suggests two ways: "Develop cultural competency" and "Make use of your bicultural and bilingual abilities." While recognizing the dominance of USA/Western research and models in the business world, it is also logical and no "one model fits all." Perhaps future research and practices can provide indigenous Asian models or perspectives that can be adapted and work effectively in coporate America or other cultures. The Special Issue on China & India (Business Week, August 22/29, 2005) points out how some USA business models are not applicable.It is not an either/or proposition. By utilizing the juxtaposition of the Asian behavior/values system versus the Western behavior/values system to present her central thesis, Hyun creates a false dichotomy in the mind of the reader. Current business literature is filled with exhortations of "win/win," "both/and," "alignment," and "interdependence" -- all very Asian concepts. These traditional Asian cultural values are at the very heart of what contemporary corporate America is trying to effect in order to add value. So there is a "baby with the bath water" caveat here to the reader. The accommodation needs to be reciprocal, not unilateral.In her Epilogue, Hyun encourages the reader to "Develop an Action Plan That Works with Your Persona." It seems throughout her book that the emphasis is on asking the reader to tailor his or her persona to that which is required for success in corporate America, not on utilizing the behavioral strengths and cognitive positions with which someone who comes with a strong Asian cultural background is imbued. Being Asian -- it seems to Hyun -- puts one in a deficit position.The reader needs to be cautious in the self-assessment, individual profiles, exercises and tools cited. They yield helpful descriptive self-awareness profiles and information, not diagnostic or predictive profiles, and they are dependent on situational factors. There are many suggestions, based perhaps on many years of experience, but empirical data demonstrating their reliability, validity or efficacy are not mentioned.Kudos to Hyun for encouraging the seeking of regular and frequent performance feedback. This is a career self-monitoring technique that is utilized far too little by all employees to help document and strengthen requests for job and salary advancement. In spite of the conceptual conundrums, this highly practical book is a must read.Adrian Chan (Kochman Mavrelis Associates, Oak Park, IL) & Barry Mar (Management & Resources Associates, Seattle, WA)

The book is well packaged. Not prime but got it fast. Thanks. About book; I'm sure this book is readable as well as Sandra's other books.

I first came upon a recommendation to read this book from an article by Anne Fisher of Fortune magazine on Fortune's 2005 diversity issue. This book is excellent guide both to corporate HR personnel and Asian employees trying to move up the corporate ladder! Asian employees and the direct correlation of their work habits to their culture have been an underlying mystery in the workplace because very little study has been made for this group-until now. This book is a breakthrough in explaining Asian tendencies in the workplace and is very helpful both to the employer and the employee-Asians or otherwise. Certainly a must read for those creating and leading the Diversity Initiatives in their companies!The book not only offers case studies, but it also includes worksheets for understanding how one's Asian culture serves as the foundation of his/her work mannerisms and tendencies. It offers tips on how to overcome cultural challenges as well as tips for the employers on how to make Asian workers feel more open. These tools will ultimately increase productivity, promote Asian leadership in the organization, and help form a truly diverse corporation.I found the description of different mentorship programs particularly useful to me, as I believe mentorship is the most effective way in honing future leaders internal to the company. As a Filipino-American and an aspiring leader in a Fortune 100 company, I highly recommend this book.

Beautifully written and packed with essential information on career development for Asians and Asian-Americans,this book is a must read! As a Caucasian with an adopted Asian daughter, whom I adopted when she was 11, I found it eye opening to learn about culturally influenced behaviors that show up in the workplace and in life.. I sent the book to my daughter and her husband, who is Korean-American, as both of them would find it an essential read for their own career development. Leaders, in all fields, could learn a lot about their Asian and Asian-Americancolleagues and employees, hence, increasing understanding and productivity! Joan Rodman Smoller, Ph.D. former NYU Professor

I don't like to admit I'm Asian. I actually avoid groups or products aimed towards this cultural group. I am American born and raised with one American and one Asian parent and consider myself more American than anything else. However, it was after overhearing this recommendation from an "Efficacy for Asians" class (I didn't go to this class and chose the one for Women) that I decided to give it a try. While there are many things that are not as applicable to me as ones from different backgrounds, I must sheepishly admit that more was applicable to me than expected, and those are things that in hindsight have likely prevented me from being even more successful in my career. The most eye opening thing was when they said that even if you don't look Asian, that's the first thing others see. If you're on the fence about it as I was, I'd say just take the plunge and either read it at home or avoid those around you seeing the cover. :-)

An eye opener for Asians and for the world!. The ideas and tips are good for people from South east asia and Chinese background. May not be fully applicable to Indians but still worth a read.