Culture Shock! China - A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette, 2nd Edition

234 CultureShock! China

The term ‘glass ceiling’ has become a buzzword in China,

to the extent that recent university graduates are referring

to ‘glass ceiling’ limitations in their potential career path.

To address concerns, employers must have transparent

hiring and promotion criteria, build strong training and

advancement opportunities, and lay clear career paths that

let Chinese employees feel confident in their future.

One of the most important elements to building a

solid team is assuring effective communication. Chinese

employees prefer Western companies because of merit-based

promotion and transparency. It is important to establish a

vision supported by actionable milestones so that employees

Do’s and Don’ts at Work

„ Do maintain global ethical standards in China, once

you consider compromising because ‘that is how

things are done locally’, it is a slippery slope that is

difficult to reverse.

„ Don’t ignore the advice of local colleagues on obstacles

or barriers that will exist when trying to accomplish

something. Oftentimes, this view is based on China

idiosyncrasies that they have a difficult time explaining

but have often experienced. There is an adage in China

that anything is possible and nothing is possible. You

need the insight of your local colleagues to accomplish

the ‘anything is possible’.

„ Do be clear on the business goal you want to accomplish

and link it to the personal success of your team.

„ Don’t be so strategic and macro that they do not have

a clear roadmap to implement from. Break down

expectations into incremental tasks that are clearly

defined and achievable. You are unlikely to hear

that someone didn’t understand or have the skills

to accomplish something until well past a critical

delivery date.

„ Do give clear feedback to individuals on performance

issues and actions to be undertaken to better

accomplish the job.