Op-Expat

I’ve been an expat in Austria now for a year and a half. I’ve been lucky, and have been working most of my time here. To my surprise, the biggest culture shock that I have experienced is working with Austrians. I go about being my American self and find that I have strong resistance from some (but not all) Austrian co-workers.

For example. I find Austrians are very quick to say, “That’s the problem, there’s no work around. I can’t help you.” I took offense to this. I thought, this co-worker is just trying to get out of being a team player and helping me with a problem. Barely hanging onto my temper I would talk my co-worker through different possible solution options. Unfortunately I found that some co-workers just didn’t want to hear it. They thought I was being pushy, demanding, or just telling them what to do and it would end in both sides being mad. I would go back to my desk and take up IT problems, graphic design problems, accounting problems, and so on and find solutions relatively quickly. Then I would think, what a jerk!

I’ve come away angry, confused, and feeling abused more times than I can count. At my last job in the United States, I was heavily praised by my co-workers and managers. I was labeled a rising star and a powerhouse. So it was tempting to fall into the, it’s not me, it’s them mind frame, but I know in my heart that will get me nowhere fast.

So finally in my befuddlement, I turned to a good friend of mine, Dr. Mike Moodian. He is a professor at Chapman University. He holds a doctorate in organizational leadership from Pepperdine University. He is the author of Contemporary Leadership and Intercultural Competence: Exploring the Cross-Cultural Dynamics Within Organizations. You can find the book on Amazon here

Okay, so I’ve established that Mike is qualified to answer a cultural difference question. Below is his response to me.

Hi Britta,

Let me give you the academic answer followed by the simple answer because that’s the best way for me to process my thoughts. And yes, feel free to use any of this in your blog.

The Academic Answer
First, let’s look at the major organizational/cultural differences between Austria and the U.S. To do this, I will refer to the work of Dr. Geert Hofstede, a Dutch writer and professor. Hofstede is the thought leader in the field of cultural differences in organizations (you can see that he is cited throughout my book). He quantitatively ranked the countries of the world based on numerous cultural dimensions, including uncertainty avoidance, masculinity, and individualism.

I believe that the dimension where is the biggest problem may lie for you is in the Power Distance. This dimension is defined as the extent to which those without power in the organization accept the unequal distribution of power. For example, Malaysia, Guatemala, and Mexico rank very highly in Power Distance. Thus, a common cultural practice in those countries would be to “do as your told” and not question directives, even if they are unreasonable. It turns out that Austria ranks the lowest in Power Distance (score of 11). Therefore, it is unlikely for people to overwork themselves (much like some union environments in the U.S.) because they would perceive it as exploitation by those who are running things. The Power Distance score of the U.S. is 40, which is in Germany’s ballpark of 35.

You come from the country which ranks highest in Individualism (score of 91). The American system is based on a free-market economy where people are expected to work hard, compete, pull themselves up by their bootstraps, and live the “American Dream.” Austria (like Poland, Hungary, and Israel) has a middle-of-the-road ranking of 55.

Of course, we are speaking in general terms. For example, the environment that we are discussing could also apply to American organizations, especially public agencies. You often find fear, distrust, poor communication, and a high level of bureaucracy in federal or state-run organizations in the U.S. Vienna is a big city, and the right fit for you exists (it’s just yet to be discovered).

The Simple Answer
At the end of the day, adapting to a new environment is simply going to take a lot of practice. You are aware of the differences, and your ability to work across cultures will only make you a stronger candidate for future jobs.

When I first read Mike’s email to me, I have to confess, it didn’t really sink in. I was still in the mad mode. But then I read it a second time. Then I read it a third time. And I guess the third time really is the charm, because then it sank in.

Look at the Power Distance in Austria. It’s really true. They are all about do-as-you’re-told. In an environment like that, you are not rewarded for thinking outside of the box. You get screamed at. I should know, it has happened to me. So therefore the co-worker who says to me, “Sorry can’t help you” really means it. They can’t help me. They’ve been brought up in a culture that smacks them for thinking outside of the box and coming up with unique solutions to a problem. Now I feel sorry for them instead of being mad!

Mike also made a good point. I repeat one of his paragraphs below.

Of course, we are speaking in general terms. For example, the environment that we are discussing could also apply to American organizations, especially public agencies. You often find fear, distrust, poor communication, and a high level of bureaucracy in federal or state-run organizations in the U.S.

This is so true! How many times have you been abused by the DMV people for example!

The above point that Mike made was the most important to me. Once this paragraph really sank in, I remembered all the great Austrians that I worked with who are more like me. Solution orientated. Fast-paced. Hard working. I can name a lot more like that than I can name those who said to me, “That’s the problem, sorry, can’t help you.” So now I admire these Austrian co-workers who have rejected their own cultural pressures and who insist in thinking outside of the box.

Okay, I can go on dissecting Mike’s words, but it’s much more effective if you do it yourself.

So listen expats, I know it’s frustrating being abroad. I know it’s hard. I’m as guilty as anyone out there about complaining about those Austrians. But whenever I open my mouth, there is a little whisper in the back of my head that always says, “You know it isn’t always the case. You know you’re being unfair to a lot of great people. Why don’t you just stop complaining.”

I haven’t yet managed to keep my mouth shut, but the complaining is getting less frequent. At least it’s a step forward.

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