Embedded Files
“Asian women are often unfairly overlooked at work. Even when their overall performance ratings are strong, Asian women are less likely than other groups of women to receive positive feedback on their leadership abilities. They have fewer informal interactions with senior leaders. And they are less likely to be seen and noticed as individuals."
I came across this insight in a report published by Lean In Org and McKinsey & Company. It is important to acknowledge that Asian women do face unique challenges in Western workplaces.
To explore this topic more deeply, I conducted interviews with five women from China, Japan, Korea, and India, each with 5 to over 20 years of professional experience in Europe and the United States. Based on these conversations and my own research, I would like to share some of the specific challenges that emerged.
Please note that cultural differences are just that—differences, not measures of superiority or inferiority. The challenges discussed here arise primarily from the adjustment between different cultural contexts. This exploration seeks to objectively highlight how cultural expectations and workplace norms can create difficulties for Asian women navigating Western professional environments, without attributing blame to any particular side.
Communication
Communication
- Humility vs. Self-Promotion
Asian cultures emphasize humility and modesty, whereas Western workplaces encourage individuals to actively showcase their contributions. Asian women may perceive self-promotion as a form of boasting.
- Careful Consideration vs. Active Expression
In group discussions or meetings, Western workplaces encourage quickly sharing initial ideas without waiting for a fully developed solution. Asian women tend to find a perfect solution, as they might worry that presenting incomplete ideas could lead others to perceive them as incompetent.
- Language Barriers
The pressure of communicating in a non-native language can hinder active participation in meetings and discussions. Even if they have something to share, Asian women may miss opportunities out of fear of making grammatical mistakes.
These factors can make the work and contributions of Asian women less visible.
Workplace Expectations
Workplace Expectations
- Passive Execution vs. Proactive Communication
Western workplaces encourage clarifying expectations and asking questions before starting a task, rather than following instructions passively. Asian women may worry that asking questions could be perceived as a sign of poor understanding. Out of respect for hierarchical structures in the workplace, they often focus on completing assigned tasks diligently rather than seeking clarification upfront.
- Focus on Assigned Tasks vs. Expanding Influence
Western workplaces emphasis impact. Asian women often prioritize fulfilling their own responsibilities and may be more reluctant to reach out across teams, in part out of a desire not to impose on others.
- Being a Perfectionist vs. Dealing with Ambiguity
Many Asian women hold themselves to very high standards and strive for perfection. After receiving a task, they often prefer to prepare thoroughly before taking action. When faced with uncertainty, they may worry that their results will not meet expectations or reflect well on their abilities.
These factors can make Asian women appear less proactive.
Workplace Social Culture
Workplace Social Culture
Differences in Social Practices
Out of respect for organizational hierarchy and a desire not to trouble others, Asian women may be less likely to proactively seek feedback or showcase their achievements to their leaders.
As a result, they may appear less competitive when it comes to promotions.
References:
Lean In and McKinsey & Company. Women in the Workplace: Asian Women.
Shelley Zalis. Breaking The Bamboo Ceiling: Advancing Asian Women To C-Suite Leadership.
Sakshi Venkatraman. Asian women in tech face harsher workplace experiences than white women, study finds
My interviewees
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse