Managing Chinese team takes finesse(2)
And stick to your principles. Nobody will believe someone who doesn't have any thoughts or ideas of his or her own.
In the West, many people tend to think that seeing is believing, making them more fact-oriented. The Chinese culture is very similar, but many value the process a person goes through to achieve the final result - creating a more human-oriented society.
To better understand these ideas, here are a few ways to put the points into practice.
First of all, listening is the most important character trait. Chinese people are not good at talking to their bosses. So strike up a conversation on a regular basis, letting the employees know it's a common practice. This way, you can listen.
Take time to watch how Chinese people interact and the result of the interaction. Paying attention to communication, especially the non-verbal, pays off. Do everything you can to get involved in all factors of the Chinese work life, like Edison.
Examples such as drinking Chinese wine, being available to your staff and even awarding special prizes will help both you and the employees better understand each other.
The company can also play a key role. Some are providing cross language classes where Chinese and foreigners teach each other their first language.
With just a little bit of effort, you can better understand the Chinese culture. But, take some time to create and develop your image in the office.
Just like a barrel of water, the principles mentioned in this article make up the shape of the barrel; your special skills and personal style is the water inside. The shape of the barrel will decide what the water looks like and how they work together.
The author is China Partner of Antal International.
