The CEO in my last place was also the owner of the company and he observed that there is a difference in attitude between the US and the UK.

Failure is seen as something to be deeply ashamed of in the UK.

In the US, he opined that, lack of failure indicated that you weren't ballsy enough and probably hadn't pushed as hard as you should have.

I have worked for American companies and I have to say that the attitude was relentlessly positive. Projects that would fail in the UK are a success when run by an American because long after a British firm will give up and American company will keep plugging away until something is achieved by sheer volume of effort.

Another big difference between the British and Americans is their attitude to a successful person.

I know it is a generalisation but the British will look at a successful person and wonder how to cut that person down to size.

An American will look at a successful person and wonder how to elevate themselves to the same position.