American Corporate Culture: Individualism

America is supposed to be the land where the individual can shine, where individual initiative is rewarded, and where people can rise to the top on their own skills and acumen.

a·cu·men

noun

the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain.
"business acumen"

In truth, you really have to suss out the corporate culture of the place where you in particular work.

suss out

transitive verb

To come to understand  by thinking.
"I had him sussed out the second time I met him."

Although some corporate cultures allow individuals to shine, some supervisors prefer that everything go through them and that all ideas be presented as their idea.   It depends on the style of middle management that flourishes where you work.   Although individualism IS an important cultural value in the United States, it doesn't work out in practice that its valued everywhere in every situation. 

For instance, some middle managers are what we call "micro managers."

mi·cro·man·age

verb
to control every part, however small, of (an enterprise or activity

However some managers are interested in advancement themselves and are interested in helping their subordinates achieve.   You have to get a sense of the place where you work.

Get a sense of

transitive phrasal verb
"get ideas about [something] by observation or experience."

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