This book outlines ten unspoken rules of conduct that newcomers to the Canadian workplace need to know to fit in, survive and thrive. Every day newcomers enter the workforce unaware of the unspoken, unwritten rules of workplace conduct. Not knowing those rules can be the beginning of their undoing; breaking them, making the wrong impression on their new peers can stand in the way of promotions and success in the workplace. Matt Adolphe’s book provides newcomers with a set of easy to learn rules that will enable them fit in to the workplace, become accepted and succeed. Readers discover why, in a conflict-averse environment it is so important to put the feelings of others first, avoid conflict, be diplomatic, and build the strong rapport with colleagues. Ultimately following these rules can lead to success in the workplace. Newcomers to the workforce learn that Canadian culture rewards and promotes those who successfully avoid conflict and invest some time in observing the culture around them. It clues them in to the importance of listening attentively before uttering something that will haunt them, potentially standing in the way of future promotions. Small talk, attention to local events, remembering names, speaking in the language of the workplace, exploiting opportunities to volunteer and go the extra mile, all feature in fostering the perception of someone who fits in and holds the potential to become a valued member of the workplace. This easy read, aimed at a very wide readership, presents a series of self-reflection quizzes with suggestions on how to keep to the rules.

Matt Adolphe is an instructor at the Southern Alberta institute of Technology (SAIT). He holds an M.A. in Communication Management from the University of South Australia, and has been teaching English, History, Culture and Communication for over 15 years in Korea, Japan, Macao and Canada. Matt is an experienced course designer who has developed communication courses for immigrants and job seekers eager for success. Adolphe teaches a variety of professional courses in the Oil and Gas industry and education sector, typically focused on building strong communication skills in the workplace. Adolphe comes from a long line in Canadian ancestry. He is a direct descendent of the earliest French explorers in Canada and has a deep connection with the Métis of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. He is a founding member of the Métis Nation of Ontario. Adolphe has travelled widely living and working in Australia, Korea, Ontario, Japan, and Macao. Beyond teaching his professional life has been punctuated with experiences as a career coach, consultant, actor, writer, media presenter, and a ‘first’ as the first English language television news presenter in Macao’s broadcasting history. His goal with ‘Canadian Workplace Culture’ is to voice the hidden rules so that they don’t impede the success of newcomers to the workplace.

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