Opinion | Is the US’ ‘bamboo ceiling’ slowing East Asian career progress?

Although it is easy to blame racism and bias in the white-dominated culture, no doubt a factor, the reality is more nuanced. While Asians have traditionally prided themselves on their maths and science prowess, a closer look finds East Asians significantly behind South Asians in breaking through, as seen at Google, Microsoft and IBM, not to mention Starbucks and Novartis. Across S&P 500 companies, South Asians even lap whites in the ratio of CEO to population.

South Asians also do well in politics. While East Asians are hardly absent, including US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, some 130 South Asians have positions in the administration of President Joe Biden.

In addition to a stereotype that East Asians lack leadership skills, studies suggest they are seen as lacking in creativity, assertiveness and communication skills and, while competent, are not warm and sociable.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook look on as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during a meeting with senior officials and CEOs in the East Room the White House on June 23, 2023. Photo: AFP

One problem is that many of the attributes traditionally valued in Confucian East Asian societies – modesty, reticence, thinking of others first, letting your work speak for itself – are perceived as weaknesses in the loud, brash, self-promoting West, particularly the United States.

The point is not to pit different Asian minorities against each other, said Li. But having a strong point of view, seeking visibility, being assertive and vocalising opinions with conviction – common ingredients of success in the US – do not always come naturally to East Asians and can even appear rude among those taught not to challenge authority figures.

Some studies suggest East Asians also tend to be more insular than other ethnic groups, socialising more among themselves than with outsiders, undercutting the social networks and reputation needed to forge broader leadership credentials.