Assertiveness refers to how strongly you are expected to voice your point of view in a particular situation. It also refers to how direct you are expected to be. Unfortunately, because of cultural differences, you may find it extremely uncomfortable being assertive at work. Here are quotes from our interviews with foreign-born engineers in Silicon Valley. They attest to the fact that high tech companies in general value direct, open, self-critical, and even confrontatio

Successful professionals do not passively react to events in the American workplace. Instead, they are proactive. They actively manager their careers. They master the politics of the workplace. They take the initiative to influence what happens around them. Unfortunately ,because of cultural differences, many foreign-born professionals shy away from such assertive behavior. Consequently, you may be viewed by your managers and others as not proactive, and so your careers