Can We Agree to Disagree?: Exploring the differences at work between Americans and the French: A cross-cultural perspective on the gap between the ... tips for successful and happy collaborations.

by Sabine Landolt, Agathe Laurent

Can We Agree to Disagree? Exploring the differences at work between Americans and the A cross-cultural perspective on the gap between the Hexagon and the U.S., and tips for successful and happy collaborations. At first, there's this impression that we're alike, that being French or American is kind of the same. We celebrate the same heroes, sing the same tunes, and prefer the same cool looks. But once we start working together, sharing the same office space, and using the same coffee machine, we notice that our ways of working diverge, and that we do not understand each other as much as we thought we did. Soon enough, we become suspicious, embarrassed, judgmental... Working together becomes challenging. All of a sudden, we realize that the ocean that separates us is real!Sabine Landolt and Agathe Laurent, co-authors of this book, have been through this deep realization themselves.
- Sabine, Swiss-American, has had significant experience living in Italy and in France, arrived with her family in New York in 2008.
- Agathe, spent her early childhood in the US and later had an international professional career, was onboarded to her new job in New York in 2014.
Without a question, both experienced challenging work-related moments, due to cultural misunderstanding and radically different approaches to work. The simplest task became mountainous obstacles to overcome. All basics became such as obstacles.Deeply inspired by their own journey, they decided to create this very unique a compelling collection of stories from French and American professionals about their experiences working together. This book reveals the risks of misjudgments, miscommunications and related emotions. It provides tips to accelerate mutual understanding, with a clear and simple To help let go of stereotypes, spark curiosity, and encourage professionals to combine the best of both cultures, for happier, easier and more successful professional collaborations.What makes this book so different? This book introduces a whole new concept with very unique learnings, with an approach that's a bit provocative as well as evocative!
This book shows the severe risk of mutual misjudgment. The authors don't try to reinvent the wheel here nor to dig into the 'why's'. Through doubts, observations, interrogations, experiences, the reader grasps the profundity of the gap, and the deep emotions -i.e. the symptoms- in those moments. This book is about real stories, which we hope will make the readers smile and relate to, whomever they are and wherever they live--in France or in the U.S. It is not about trying to be scientific, nor relying on the Theory-we know there are nuances of all types, based on the regions, the industry, and roles within an organization. And of course, there's a person's unique history. This book speaks about what matters most to people, and where the issues are the most numerous and unexpected. The authors are not trying to be comprehensive-the topics come directly from the 50 interviews-split evenly between Americans and French people, conducted in a semi-directed mode, following the methods of Freud and Piaget, working with associations and spontaneous probes. This book provides tips and tricks on how to get there. Where, you may ask? Again, happier, more effective work collaboration.

124 pages, Paperback

Published June 15, 2020

Reviews

[Alina Pap · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this innovative design of books on mutual understanding, Laurent and Landolt emphasize differences and commonalities between American and French institutional cultures. At first, it might seem an easy read about French and Americans’ behavior at work, each seen through the lenses of the other. However, I would call Can We Agree to Disagree, a deep read. First, this book is based on personal stories to portray the emotions of French and Americans when working in a Franco-American organizational context. From a basic day at work to schedule important meetings, Laurent and Landlot have marked the cultural differences while promoting solutions for both Americans and French to approach tasks for bicultural career development.
Second, the book walks the reader on the bridge between cultural misunderstanding and business success. Regardless of the cultural background of employees, professional growth is at the heart of institutional advancement. Hence, the two authors bring to light the one mechanism that promotes progress rather than regress and that is learning from each other. What might seem frustrating for Americans, the French might be able “to discuss over a cup of coffee”; what might seem on a “go-go-go “for French, the Americans might perceive as achievements on schedules. In that sense, learning to agree and disagree in the contextual framework of Laurent and Landolt is an appreciation of the two cultures rather than just being aware that there might be a French or an American at the desk across the hall.
Third, this book does not only speak to French and Americans. While giving practical solutions for cross-cultural communication in a working environment and emphasizing cultural appreciation than cultural awareness, Can we Agree to Disagree models the integration of employees in a multicultural organizational context. Further, more Europeans might find similarities with the French and take advantage of this book to advance their professional mutual understanding with the Americans.
Lastly, this book has a design aligned with modern trends in transmitting a message. New generations of graduates, shall find Can We Agree to Disagree inspirational on their career development journey on international and intercultural job markets.

[Priscilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting little read on the difference between French and American in the work environment. Some good insights that for sure can be useful in understanding both parties, their cultures, and why they do what they do at work.