Don’t beat around the bush. Cut to the chase. Tell it like it is. These expressions suggest that Americans are pretty direct communicators. But how direct are they really?
“Rude”, “blunt”, “insensitive” – that’s how some Americans describe their European counterparts. “Fake”, "superficial”, “insincere” is what the other side gives back. At least behind closed doors. Misunderstandings abound. Feelings get hurt. Communication fails.
American communication style is generally described as direct. And yet, smooth communication with other direct communicators, such as people from the German-speaking countries or the Netherlands is not guaranteed.
Why is that? In this blog, I’m going to take a closer look at American directness and what makes you a great communicator in the US.
Six Essential Features of Directness
Directness in communication refers to a straightforward way of expressing your thoughts and requests. Direct statements or questions leave little room for ambiguity.
Direct communicators rely on the verbal message to make their point. They use words to share their thoughts. Even though they also use non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions or gestures, the main purpose of these signals is to reinforce the verbal message.
Direct communication has six essential features:
Clarity:
It is clear and easy to understand. Messages are kept simple and don’t contain vague language.
Conciseness:
It is brief and to the point. The focus is on the core message. Unnecessary details are kept to a minimum.
Transparency:
It is open and honest.
Purpose:
It has a goal, whether it’s to inform, request, persuade, etc.
Assertiveness:
Direct communicators voice their opinions, needs, and wishes with confidence. They set clear boundaries and expectations.
Linearity:
Messages are exchanged directly. You say what you think to the person who is meant to receive the message, rather than using an intermediary to pass it on.
In the US, the six features just described are seen as beneficial. It’s good to be clear, concise, transparent, purposeful, and assertive, because it minimizes misunderstandings. It’s efficient and effective.
Three More Attributes of American Directness
There are three more communication features that are valued highly in the United States. As an Austrian American university lecturer, entrepreneur, and coach, I have observed them in both the academic setting and in the business environment. Being aware of these features is essential if you want to avoid offense and irritation when dealing with your American counterparts.
7. Filtered Directness
Direct communicators may prioritize straightforwardness and transparency at the expense of sensitivity and tact. As a result, they come across as blunt and brusque.
Blunt comments can easily hurt feelings and damage relationships. That’s why Americans generally opt for filtered directness.
Filtered directness means that you think about the impact of your words on the recipient.
You consider the situation and feelings of your counterpart. You try to be polite, respectful, and considerate.
One example for filtered directness is feedback. A boss giving feedback to an employee or a professor giving feedback to a student is expected to maintain a balance between straightforwardness and empathy. As a result, they won’t give negative feedback without adding a positive, such as a compliment, or caring element to soften the message. In addition, they generally won’t criticize in front of others.
8. Problem-Solving Orientation
The intent of direct communication is to address issues head-on to find solutions. In the US, problem-solving tends to be forward-looking and constructive.
Americans often don’t dwell too long on mistakes, on why things went wrong, and on who’s to blame. They quickly move on to: Ok, what can we do better? How can we solve the problem? Communication is aimed at the solution ahead.
Harsh language focused on past mistakes and blame, even though they may be honest, do not support a constructive working climate.
9. Directness Based on Positive Assumptions
In general, American directness is based on positive assumptions, especially in professional situations. The table below has some examples for clarification.
Imagine sitting in a brainstorming meeting about a new software implementation. You hear different comments. Some are based on negative and some on positive assumptions.
Comment | Assumption |
We’ve tried something similar before and it didn’t work. I doubt this will work. | Negative: A previous software program was not successful. As a result, future programs will fail too. |
We’ve learned a lot from the previous situation. I believe with those insights we can do it better this time. | Positive: Past failures teach us valuable lessons that can improve the future. |
Our team isn’t tech-savvy enough to handle such a complex system. We can’t do this. | Negative: The team doesn’t have the capability to learn and adapt. |
With the right training and support, our team can learn how to use this new system. It’s worth giving it a try. | Positive: With proper support, the team can learn and adapt. |
All statements above are direct, but they reflect different attitudes. In the US, you are more likely to hear the "can-do" statements highlighted in bold.
Negative assumptions are not received well in US professional environment. People often don’t understand why you would adopt a negative attitude.
I encourage you to explore your own personal and cultural tendencies. Do you lean towards negative or positive assumptions? Underlying negative assumptions could be a serious obstacle when you cooperate with Americans.
Is Everyone in the US a Direct Communicator?
No. They are not.
In business, direct communication as described above – filtered, constructive, and positive – is valued highly. It is also the communication style taught in schools, at universities, and in professional development courses across the country. Countless “How to Books” explain its benefits. It’s the gold standard.
However, the United States is a vast and diverse country. There is variation in directness on the individual level, but also regionally. For example, the Southeast is less direct than the Northeast. But that’s a topic for another blog…
Despite individual and regional differences, the “gold standard” is perpetuated through cultural conditioning, educational institutions, and professional expectations.
There’s a wide consensus in the US on how great communicators talk and write.
If you want to learn and practice how to do that, contact me. Reading about how to become a better communicator is like thinking about how to get fit. You won’t improve unless you take action and start to practice. I’m here to coach you.
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