Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling:
Career Strategies for Asians
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"An essential career guide for Asian Americans and their co-workers that explores how Asian culture is sometimes at odds with Western corporate culture - with strategies for bridging this costly gap." |
Asian Americans are not reaching their full potential in the workplace.
- Asian Americans are one of the fastest growing groups in the U.S.labor force but remain one of the least represented groups in senior management ranks at Fortune 500 companies.
A 2003 Catalyst study showed that while Asian women make up an important and growing source of talent, they make up .29% of the 10,000+ corporate officers of Fortune 500 companies. A previous study by Cliff Cheng showed that Asians make up less than 1/2 of 1/% of Fortune 250 companies. - Many Asian American professionals report that they are often misunderstood in business settings. Second and third-generation Asian Americans who don't speak a syllable of Asian dialect report being mistaken as foreigners or expatriates in the workplace.
- While Asians are well represented in entry level positions, few advance to senior management ranks or corporate board positions because of cultural barriers or lack of organizational resources.
What can you do about it?
Executive coach and diversity strategist Jane Hyun uses a combination of case studies, interviews, focus groups and personal anecdotes to identify the issues and provide practical strategies for Asian Americans who want to be effective in the multicultural workplace. It also offers helpful advice for companies who want to realize the full potential of their Asian American employees.
A Glimpse of the topics in the book.
- The "Model Minority Myth" in The Workplace: Managing Perceptions and Stereotypes of Asians at Your Company
- Getting Ahead At Your Company Without Losing Sight of Your Asian Cultural Values
- How to Spot Diversity-Friendly Companies
- Getting Involved With An Asian Networking Group at Your Company
- Developing Self Awareness and an Individualized Career Plan
- Selecting a Career That Plays to Your Natural Strengths and Complements Your Cultural Attributes
- The Passing of the Baton: Giving Back to The Asian Community and Developing Future Asian Leaders