Can We Agree to Disagree? - by Sabine Landolt & Agathe Laurent (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

At first, there's this impression that we're alike, that being French or American is kind of the same. We celebrate the same heroes, sing the same tunes, and prefer the same cool looks.
But once we start working together, sharing the same office space, and using the same coffee machine, we notice that our ways of working diverge, and that we do not understand each other as much as we thought we did. Soon enough, we become suspicious, embarrassed, judgmental... Working together becomes challenging. All of a sudden, we realize that the ocean that separates us is real!

Sabine Landolt and Agathe Laurent, co-authors of this book, have been through this deep realization themselves.
- Sabine, Swiss-American, has had significant experience living in Italy and in France, arrived with her family in New York in 2008.
- Agathe, spent her early childhood in the US and later had an international professional career, was onboarded to her new job in New York in 2014.
Without a question, both experienced challenging work-related moments, due to cultural misunderstanding and radically different approaches to work. The simplest task became mountainous obstacles to overcome. All basics became such as obstacles.

Deeply inspired by their own journey, they decided to create this very unique book: a compelling collection of stories from French and American professionals about their experiences working together. This book reveals the risks of misjudgments, miscommunications and related emotions. It provides tips to accelerate mutual understanding, with a clear and simple ambition: To help let go of stereotypes, spark curiosity, and encourage professionals to combine the best of both cultures, for happier, easier and more successful professional collaborations.

What makes this book so different?
This book introduces a whole new concept with very unique learnings, with an approach that's a bit provocative as well as evocative! This book shows the severe risk of mutual misjudgment. The authors don't try to reinvent the wheel here nor to dig into the 'why's'. Through doubts, observations, interrogations, experiences, the reader grasps the profundity of the gap, and the deep emotions -i.e. the symptoms- in those moments.

This book is about real stories, which we hope will make the readers smile and relate to, whomever they are and wherever they live--in France or in the U.S. It is not about trying to be scientific, nor relying on the Theory-we know there are nuances of all types, based on the regions, the industry, and roles within an organization. And of course, there's a person's unique history . This book speaks about what matters most to people, and where the issues are the most numerous and unexpected. The authors are not trying to be comprehensive-the topics come directly from the 50 interviews-split evenly between Americans and French people, conducted in a semi-directed mode, following the methods of Freud and Piaget, working with associations and spontaneous probes. This book provides tips and tricks on how to get there. Where, you may ask? Again, happier, more effective work collaboration. The work is not about taking sides, defending one perspective versus the other, nor about criticizing one group -on the contrary, our profound goal is to provide a blueprint for a successful collaboration between Americans and the French. We know that both possess unique assets that can create an extraordinary alchemy. Our common history and alliances have demonstrated the fruitfulness of the friendship between these two great Nations!

Review Quotes

With a thorough, empirical, and dare I say loving approach, Laurent and Landolt show us that differences abound among French and American co-workers, but in the end, there is always a willingness to come together for the greater good. Each nationality recognizes something in themselves, and admires or remarks at least, something unique among their peers in a new shared environment. That seems an excellent foundation on which to build new alliances for the greater good for the business at hand. Surely, more books like this would make a success of international business, creative endeavors and non-profits, alike.
- MOLLY BRENNAN, Vice President Sales, International luxury furniture and textiles

I am still enjoying dipping my toes into the French American differences pool, finding what would work for me and what wouldn't. As a I am myself originally from Rio de Janeiro but leaving in Sao Paulo, two different cultures in the same country, a book like "Can We Agree to Disagree? " is definitely my cup of tea!
- BERNARDO FARIA, Entrepreneur and Contemporary art Collector, Sao Paulo/New York

I remain fascinated by this great country and intrigued by the Americans. So close and so far away. Money, sex, religion: we don't laugh at the same jokes and don't take offense at the same flaws. This is what Sabine and Agathe are talking about, with finesse, intelligence, benevolence, humor too. Their book will surprise you, make you smile, certainly think and perhaps spare you some blunders. Must read: on this one at least, can we agree to not disagree?
- PHILIPPE LALLIOT, Current French Ambassador in Dakar, Senegal

Like having a relationship therapist in your pocket! A thoughtful guide to navigating the sometimes choppy waters of French-American relationships; with a focus on the power of empathy.
- KATE GREENE, Global fragrance industry executive and Founder, OUR HOUSE Creative Agency

As an American, I like to focus on action and results, and this book allows take-away steps to make a difference. As a person raised in France, I am sensitive to all things French. I am a true "hybrid" and have used my deep knowledge of both systems and cultures to my advantage throughout my career, and as a "citizen of the world". The French and American people seem so similar, but the cross-cultural workplace epitomizes many of these dichotomies and differences. A must read for the open minded looking to become better people and more productive at work.
- ELSA BERRY, Managing Director, Vendome Global Partners

I have been through the French cursus par excellence and never thought I would spend such a big part of my professional-and personal obviously-life in the US. Ten years so far, and still counting, over the course of two stays. I have been in more than 40 states. I have supported or joined everything which in one way or another seems transatlantic. I regret nothing of all my past efforts... but this book: had Sabine and Agathe written it earlier I would have saved time and energy and avoided pitfalls and mistakes. Never too late. Thanks to them, I'm getting ready for my next chapter. Merci !
- BERTRAND BADRÉ, CEO Blue like an Orange Sustainable Capital

A very original book to explore cultural differences between the French and Americans in a way that I have never seen before! This book is lighthearted and fun but also deep and meaningful. Every French moving to the US for work should read this book, and vice versa. It is lively, original, useful and so human!
- GERARD ARAUD, Ambassador of France to the United States from 2014 to 2019