Question

Scenario: The new boss is Ms. Spencer (American) and Victoria (British) has been with the company for a decade.

Ms. Spencer: Ah, Victoria, Please sit down.
Victoria: Thank you, ma’am.
Ms. Spencer: I wanted to ask you if everything’s okay with your job?
Victoria: Yes, very much so, ma’am.
Ms. Spencer: It’s just that ever since I took over here people have been coming to me with questions I know you can answer. Better than I, in fact, as I’m new to the London office and you’ve been working for us here for ten years.
Victoria: Yes
Ms. Spencer: Maybe if they asked you first, it would save some time.
Victoria: But they do ask me first.

- Why is Ms. Spencer slightly annoyed with Victoria?

- Why is Victoria sending employees to Ms. Spencer?


- What action does Ms. Spencer take that will change the situation?

- What are the cultural differences between the British and Americans in this
scenario?

Answer 1

Ms. Spencer is slightly annoyed with Victoria because she feels like people are coming to her with questions that Victoria can answer better, despite Victoria being in the company for ten years.

Victoria is not intentionally sending employees to Ms. Spencer. She says that they do ask her first, indicating that the employees may not be aware that Victoria can answer their questions.

Ms. Spencer takes the action of suggesting that employees should ask Victoria first to save time.

The cultural difference between British and Americans in this scenario may be related to communication style. Ms. Spencer may prefer direct communication and may have expected Victoria to be more proactive in letting employees know that she can answer their questions. On the other hand, Victoria may have a more reserved communication style and may not have felt comfortable promoting her own abilities.