BIG ASIAN ENERGY

Confronting stereotypes.

Wang is a leadership coach to the Asian American community, and in this book he presents lessons he’s learned over the years. He notes that Asian Americans make up 13% of the professional workforce, but only 3% hold leadership and executive positions. Given the “elusive impression” that Asian American workers are generally considered by their Western employers to be highly competent and hard workers, why is this so? Wang accepts that the term “Asian” covers a wide range of countries, but the common theme is that Asian cultures have a collectivist basis rather than an individualist one. Because of the role of family and the broader Asian community as socializing forces, he says Asian Americans are less willing to claim credit for their achievements and put themselves forward for promotions. Humility, says Wang, is not an attribute that is prized in American business. He argues that Asian Americans will take on tasks that are not relevant to their duties simply because a colleague asks them to do so. The result is that they suffer burnout through overwork. Wang uses case studies to explain how Asian American workers can address these issues without losing their core identity. He includes self-diagnostic tests and exercises and offers tips on matters such as eye contact, interviews, and body language. Being assertive without being arrogant is not always easy, but this is a useful book for workers looking to move up the ladder—as well as for people already in leadership positions.

A wealth of helpful advice, shared in an authentic voice.