What if everything you thought you knew about “American culture” was invisible—to you, but glaringly obvious to everyone else?

In this revealing episode of Gen Mess with Tess, host Tess Brigham sits down with Lanie Denslow, renowned cultural translator and author, to break down the unspoken rules and quiet revolutions shaping generational and cross-cultural dynamics in the modern workplace. Together, they explore the evolving global landscape—where today’s youth, from Tokyo to Paris to California, are shaking up tradition in the name of mental health, work-life balance, and redefining success.

Key Highlights:

• Culture is More Than Food & Fashion: Lanie unpacks culture as “the software of the mind”—the unwritten scripts that guide everything from workplace etiquette to how we form friendships, often so ingrained we don’t see them until challenged by someone who does things differently.
• Generations vs. Geography: How Gen Z’s workplace “rebellions”— prioritizing mental health, rejecting burnout, and seeking meaningful experiences—are unfolding around the globe, but not always in the same ways as in the U.S.
• Peaches and Coconuts: Discover why Americans are “peaches”—friendly on the surface but private at the core—while most of the world are “coconuts,” reserved at first but deeply loyal once you break through.
• Why We All Need Cultural Training: Lanie makes the compelling case for company-wide cultural awareness—not just for executives, but for every team member—so that everyone, from new hires to seasoned leaders, learns to ask: “Could something cultural be happening here?”
• Cleaning Up the Gen Mess: Tess and Lanie offer concrete strategies for bridging generational and cultural divides, including the importance of curiosity, empathy, and open communication between all ages and backgrounds.

For more insights from Lanie Denslow, check out her books like Working with Americans and connect with her at worldwiseonline.net. Follow Tess at tessbrigham.com for resources on bridging the generational gap in your workplace and life.

Let’s get curious, get connected, and clean up the Gen Mess—one conversation at a time!

Timestamped Overview

00:00 "Understanding Cultural Differences in Business"

05:00 "Cultural Perception and Interaction"

09:47 Shifting Traditions in Japan

13:03 "Cultural Diversity Among Youth"

17:19 Youth Travel Fueled by Internet

21:02 Living in the Moment: Gen Z

21:44 Embracing Failure: A Unique American Culture

26:46 "American Social Dynamics: Peaches Analogy"

28:55 Navigating International Friendships

34:29 "Close-Knit Social Circles"

39:00 Cross-Cultural Training for Global Leaders

41:36 Cultural Awareness in the Workplace

46:19 Generational Work Attitude Shift

48:25 "Training for Evolving Work Culture"

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