The Business of WE
The central message of The Business of WE is that face-to-face interactions of increasing depth are the way to bridging any Us versus Them culture gap, whether these gaps are caused by differences in ethnicity, race, religion, gender orientation or any identity factor.
The goal of this book is to provide tools and inspiration through first-hand stories of individuals and organizations who either failed or succeed to narrow that gap. The mission is to help readers recognize the urgent need to actively dismantle Us versus Them dynamics and inspire people to actively build a WE culture in so that people from various backgrounds are safe, welcome and productive.
“As a biotech executive working across borders, I recognize the challenge of managing a culturally diverse workforce. Laura Kriska has nailed it with this timely book. Take the time to read, highlight, dog-ear the wisdom of these pages. You will learn how to take simple actions to turn ‘us versus them’ people into an enlightened team of WE!”
“I highly recommend “The Business of We” for any organization embarking on the thoughtful journey of self discovery to strengthen their commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access. I’ve known Laura Kriska for over 25 years and she is a charismatic leader with outstanding international business and consulting credentials. These tools have been invaluable to me as the leader of a nonprofit organization focused on the double bottom line of financial sustainability and community impact.”
The Accidental office lady
The Accidental Office Lady is an insightful, honest and personal account of a young woman coming of age in corporate Japan.
When she was just 22 years old, Laura Kriska became the first American woman to work in the Tokyo headquarters of Honda Motor Company. The young red-head from the Midwest encounters many surprises in her new position. Undaunted by many unexpected challenges, Kriska overcomes all obstacles to become an insider in corporate Japan.
Her fluency in Japanese and her deep affinity for the culture help her gain access to intimate and unusual situations. Through her friendships with her Japanese colleagues, Kriska begins to understand the intricacies of corporate Japan. She learns how simple word choice can show deference to someone more senior and discovers how listening, rather than speaking, is a way to demonstrate leadership. Using her new found knowledge, Kriska challenges the company culture and eventually succeeds in permanently changing a 50-year-old corporate policy.
“Her book is a revealing portrait of the corporate culture that reflects, and defines, Japan…. funny and insightful…”
The New York Times, Elisabeth Bumiller