bestselling; revised edition in paperback from
NICHOLAS BREALEY INTERCULTURAL
BREAKING THROUGH CULTURE SHOCK
WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
Elisabeth Marx
"An accessible and practical self-help book... the theme is upbeat... Particularly instructive are the many case studies and interviews."
Financial Times
"An excellent model for developing international effectiveness and for managing an international career... a great combination of research, case studies, and sound, practical advice on how to make it in the international arena."
Richard Simmons CBE, senior partner, Arthur Andersen
In this, the first systematically researched book on this major subject, Elisabeth Marx offers positive and practical advice for breaking through culture shock and shows that all of us can be internationally effective if we develop our ability to adapt. Unlike other books on the cross-cultural dimensions of management, her book also looks at the international manager as a human being with development needs at a professional and personal level.
Culture Shock or 'the experience of foreignness' has become the critical factor for success in today's global business environment - and an occupational hazard if we fail to adjust to international counterparts with different motivations, behaviors and ways of making decisions. One in seven UK managers and nearly half of their US counterparts fail to achieve success in their international dealings.
Based on extensive research, the book focuses on a brand new model - the culture shock triangle, which shows you how to behave differently, think differently and balance your emotions. Using this model and numerous case studies, Marx shows how you can ride out the waves of euphoria and the sloughs of depression, emerging contented and cross-culturally effective with the right balance between retaining a sense of your own identity and achieving an international identity.
In addition to this holistic approach to personal and professional issues, there is expert advice on both individual and dual career management, including guidance on returning - the greatest culture shock of all. She also considers the various ways in which international work occurs - frequent business trips and multinational teams as well as long-term assignments - while offering guidance to organizations on how to select and look after their international executives so that the best results can be achieved for all concerned.
The book includes numerous case studies based on Marx's international consultancy work and research and draws on the author's personal cross-cultural experience as a German psychologist studying and working in Britain and Singapore. In addition, international business leaders such as Peter Job of Reuters, Walter Hasselkus of Rover and Wind Bischoff of Schroders share their view and provide inspiration to all managers on how to succeed in the global arena. Breaking Through Culture Shock is an invaluable self-assessment guide. The final chapter in particular helps you to reflect on some of the issues that are important for success in international work, including motivation, expectations and self-reliance.
Ultimately, the message of the book is tht with the right preperation international work is one of the most stimulating and positive career experiences whether away from your own country, at home in an international organization or working as part of a cross-functional team in cyber-space.
Dr. Elisabeth Marx is a Director of Norman Broadbent International, the world-wide executive search company. She focuses on the search for psychological development of international executives and carries out research on boardroom issues. Based in London, she works throughout Europe and the United States and lectures on management topics internationally. Her work on management issues is frequently covered in the national and international press as well as on radio and television.
She trained in psychology at the University of Maburg (Germany), gained her doctorate at Oxford University and was previously a lecturer in psychology at the National University of Singapore.