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

by Jane Hyun

An essential career guide for every Asian American—and all their co-workers and managers—that explains how traditional Asian cultural values are at odds with Western corporate culture. Leading Asian American career coach and advocate Jane Hyun explains that the lack of Asian Americans in executive suite positions is brought about by a combination of Asian cultures and traditions strait-jacketing Asian Americans in the workplace, and how the group’s lack of vocal affirmation in popular media and culture, afflicts them with a “perpetual foreigner syndrome” in the eyes of Americans who don’t know enough to understand the challenges placed on Asian Americans in the corporate environment. Filled with anecdotes and case studies from her own consulting experience covering the gamut of Asian Americans from various backgrounds, the book discusses how being Asian affects the way they interact with colleagues, managers, and clients, and will offer advice and real world solutions while exposing the challenges encountered. For the Asian reader, the book will help them to see the cultural barriers they subconsciously place in their own career paths and how to overcome them. For the non-Asian reader, the book serves as a primer for promoting optimal working relationships with Asians, and will help start a dialogue that will benefit all.

Genres: Nonfiction, Asian American, Business, Asian Literature, Self Help, Leadership, Cultural

352 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 2005

Reviews

[Shadow Jubilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend had lent this book to me over five years ago. Then, I had found it instructive, informative, and helpful, and I had always meant to get my own copy. I finally did this year. Rereading it now, I wonder how much of it is still relatable to Asian-Americans in this day and age. Perhaps still many.

While the author provided some advice for both companies looking for diversity and for Asian-Americans, the book's strength seemed to be as a vehicle for letting other Asian-Americans know that they are not alone, and that they can break the bamboo ceiling.

[Ava Wan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is one-of-a-kind in discussing the issue of the bamboo ceiling. Having been an active participant of many Asian-related networks and events focused on these issues, and recently talking about the "bamboo ceiling" with one of my business school friends, it is refreshing to learn about the cultural values that are ingrained and affect the way we behave at times. For example, the contrast between "The Loudest Duck gets Shot" in Asian tradition, vs, "The squeaky wheel gets the oil" in American tradition. It is helpful to be reminded that America is a culture where working hard and producing excellent work itself is only necessary but not sufficient to succeed. Too often I see hard-working Asian Americans are the hardest working yet the most quiet and reserved in the Boardroom. Yet the truth is to succeed, we need to and are EXPECTED to speak up, and question, stick to your guns and challenge authority (at the same time being diplomatic). Shifting the frame from which we look at what the job expectation is, changes the way I think about I should behave and add value.
Great read overall and thank you to your leadership Jane!

[Trang C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I have not finished this book yet, it deserves a 5 star. Jane Huyn is really into the shoes of not only a typical Asian's working style, but it also rings true to those who are introvert.

Sometimes, you cannot wait for someone to realize your strength at the end of the day, you have to do it at the same time while investing lots of effort and time into the work. Be there for you and earn it.

Constantly not speaking up for your opinion, saying yes to everything in hope that somebody will realize it are exhausting and excruciating, especially when you are found of fields that favor extrovert. Together with DISC model, the book helps me a lot in discovering multiperspective thinking in the pros and cons of an Asian / introvert and how I can leverage it while remaining true and authentic.

I will update my progress later after finishing the book. I have been loning for such interesting book like this one.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite being 15 years old, Hyun was able to touch a widespread of Asians in this book. I like how she included Filipinos and Indians apart from Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans. Seeing a variety of people come into one book really helped back up her emphasis on the different kinds of struggles Asians and Asian Americans face with their personal and professional lives. I like how she included an assessment to really engage the reader to help themselves through the process of reading the book. Although much time has gone by, Asian Americans are still lacking in presence at the executive level. This book helps show many facets to this conflict, and puts the reader in the driver seat on how to go about it moving forward.

[JP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling is a valuable guide for Asian Americans and any manager or employer interested in understanding the cultural issues that underlie careers in American business. Asian is defined broadly enough to cover second and later generations who might seem relatively Americanized on the surface. The "Confucian influence" is a foundational distinction responsible for stronger deference to parental expectations and cultural norms. The book draws from numerous case stories, independent sources, and coaching tools. The comparisons between traditional American and Asian mindset are balanced and relevant. As an example of the content, Hyun points out how a networking event is the epitome of what traditional Asian culture might find challenging: participants gathering to overtly tout accomplishments and ideas to people they don't know intimately.

[Lili Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good career tips in general.

Notable lines:

“So what can you do about these stereotypes? You could complain that people who believe them don’t know any better and ignore the colleagues who think of you in light of them. But youc an and should do something about them. Let people know that such stereotypes are an impediment to your success. Though it will take years before these stereotypes can be completely obliterated-and it’s unlikely that they will ever be completely destroyed-you can take control of your own actions and statements to break through some of the stereotypes, demonstrating to non-Asians that you are an individual with unique traits.”

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

First half was very common sense so I suggest skipping it. The second half focused on practical tips and while they are still pretty basic things like being assertive, being vocal, and building a network, it does serve as a nice refresher and self check. It also emphasizes learning about one’s own strengths and weaknesses, which is pretty typical career coaching advice, not just specific to Asian. One thing is missing is what an individual can do to make a organizational change, rather than just self improvement.

[Long Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is great in the way that it identifies and emphasizes the inherent difference in working culture between Asian American and American. Though the book focus is on Asians born in the US, I feel it is a common trait for Asians coming from abroad. The last section of the book contains questionnaire for self-assessment, which I don't use much.

It's a quick read and I highly recommend it

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this through work, and thought it was a good read. I think that it gives good insight for Asian Americans and their managers/co-workers. Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling goes through different experiences and cultural differences that could be affecting development. There are also sheets that can be filled out to start the process of better understanding where you want to go and what could be holding you back. I thought it was a good mixture of learning modules and actionable items.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was overall good and hit pretty much all the main aspects and details of what it’s like to be raised with Confucian values and how that translates to our behaviors in the workplace (and in life and relationships). Nothing too grand that I took away from this book besides an affirmation of the conflicting feelings I’ve felt regarding my Asian-American identity.

[Mikayla Chen · Rating 3 out of 5]

acculturation- adapting cultural patterns of new culture while still maintaining values of the native culture vs assimilation- adopting dominant culture’s behaviors at the expense of one’s own cultural characteristics, physically asian doesn’t equal culturally asian but a lot of people don’t see it that way

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book focused more on the practical aspects of career development (interviewing, networking, etc.) rather than focusing on diagnosing the issue, which is what I was hoping more for. Skipped through a lot of the content but picked up some interesting tidbits, especially in the mentoring section.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book and resonate with the recommendations it makes for building more inclusive work environments that enable Asian Canadians / Americans to thrive, through mentorship / sponsorship programs, affinity groups, more culturally aware managers, etc.

[Grace Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really validating

[Andrew Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overall concepts and ideas. Some of the information seems a little outdated.

[Christian Fajardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of helpful and relevant information and career strategies for Asian Americans in general. The book seemed to focus more so on East Asian values, cultures, etc.

[Khim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all Asians starting out in the workplace.

[Zoe Tian · Rating 3 out of 5]

good to know those stuff but not really applicaple among genZ cause we do not give a fuck anyways so

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is great for recent immigrants, but not for those of us who are multiracial or 3rd generation. Much of her advice is not relevant to me but can help others

[Akhil · Rating 3 out of 5]

A must read for Asian college grads aspiring to be in a managerial position. Tells them about the challenges a minority group faces in the American workplace which is most commonly not recognized and tackled by the HR of the company. The book provides you tools and ideologies about careful and decisive career selection process.

[Mandy Havert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as part of our professional development program in the graduate school and for self interest. Our institution has a growing number of Asian graduate students, and the cultural differences between a largely Western-based faculty and the Asian graduate students has been noticed. I read the book with interest because I thought it might inform me about some techniques and key principles that can be used by our faculty to better enrich programming and small group or individual instruction sessions. The book hit on many points with which I'm already familiar but reinforced the concepts with examples and case studies, not only for an Asian audience, but also for non-Asian managers.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me step back and contemplate how I see myself and how white America views me as an Asian American.

The setting for the book is corporate America but it can be applicable to any setting and to any industry.

Definitely a MUST read for any professional!

Even if you're not Asian, I think it shows non asians a glimpse of why asians act a certain way.

[Vishnu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strong start and important premise. Seemed to drag on a bit too long, and be surprisingly focused on the corporate sector. This was surprising because the book seemed to be about Asian-Americans finding their own career path, which she acknowledges often leads to non-profits and public sector posts.

Intermixing stories throughout was helpful.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had attended one if her leadership classes and it really compliments the book. She helps raises historical awareness of Asians and how they are perceived in the work place and the history behind it. I found it insightful. Rated 3.5

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is pretty focused on Deloitte-type accounting firms, but still has some interesting points and ideas. Using it for an educational event at work!

[Geraldine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is for Asian and other minority professionals.

[Ivan Yuen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an Asian, I have been working for 3 companies with different expats in Hong Kong, and expats are often dominating the senior management roles in the companies. The book explains many perspectives from both sides on their misunderstandings on each other. For example, many local people thought networking and self promotion resembles 'business bullshit' and 'hypocritical' so it should not be encouraged, but this is what senior management requires. The most important part of the book should be those test and tools which I might start using soon. A very utilitarian book if you are working in a ethnic diversity environment.