To many workers who are taking an overseas assignment, the United Kingdom might seen like it would require less preparation and adjustment than for countries like China where the language and cultural differences are obvious. However, that belief can set expatriates up for difficulty with their assignments. The greatest number of failed overseas assignments occurs for Americans in the United Kingdom and for Britons in the United States. Training is critical to help make the transition between the two countries smoother and to bridge the gap between language that is shared, but is very different in nuance and meaning, and cultures that can be at odds with each other.

Language barriers that can hinder communication for Americans in the United Kingdom include the American tendency to use sports metaphors in communication, like "let's touch base," or "we need to hit a home run with this one." These metaphors can be very confusing to Britons. Also, the British tend to be very understated and indirect in their statements, which often leaves Americans unsure of what has just been said. For example, if a Brit says something is "not bad," they often mean it is very good, and if they say something is "not good," it is often very bad. Americans also tend to use jargon like "restructuring" and "right-sizing," which can seem suspicious to the British.

Conflicting work styles create another problem facing Americans and Britons when they are working together. The American tendency to speak one's mind and to try to accomplish things in the quickest, most efficient way often doesn't mesh with the British emphasis on consensus and careful, shared decision-making. Americans are also generally more willing to take risks, which can upset the Brit's slow and cautious approach to new things.

For Americans, learning to adapt to the British culture might mean keeping a lower profile, especially in meetings, where speaking up and driving decisions is not accepted behavior. Most UK meetings feature just a few key people sharing information and the rest of the room listening quietly.

Companies who take a careful approach to sending workers to the United Kingdom that involves thorough screening, training, and on-site mentoring and support have a much greater chance of success during the overseas assignment. This can result in great savings for the company, as the cost of a failed overseas three-year assignment has been estimated at more than $1 million. The time spent in preparing for the differences in language and culture could prove to be well worth it for the company.