When do Yes mean No in China?
- Published in Shanghai Star Business Journal 18 February, 2008
When asking foreign managers about general challenges in daily operations in China, 75-80% describes poor accountability and task ownership as one of the main problems. 32% perceive accountability to be the biggest problem. This of course hampers any organization, so let’s take a closer look at this issue. The definitions we use for Accountability include:
- Sense of task ownership
- To be responsible and have to explain ones actions
- To keep the manager updated on progress
- To say no when it is too difficult or impossible to perform a task
A seemingly simple thing as the use of “Yes” and “No” is so vastly differently used in Chinese vs. Western culture that almost nothing can be taken for granted. Even the most veteran Chinese employees in Western companies struggle to understand and use the Western meaning of a “Yes”. Saying “No” to the boss is very challenging and will be avoided at almost any cost. This is not because of lack in self confidence or incompetence, but rather to avoid confrontation and possible loss of guangxi.
In short, a “Yes” in China may mean:
- Maybe
- I hear what you say (but do not understand)
- I will try my best
- I want to do it but it is out of my responsibility to do it
Western societies, including corporate cultures, are built on people being assertive and accountable in a direct manner. Western employees, asking “why, what, and when” questions to their boss, shows their personal involvement for the right outcome. This is because; in the West task ownership and responsibilities often varies in different situations, whereas in China responsibilities are generally statically defined. Since there is no need to clarify responsibilities for different situations, asking “why” is neither perceived as respectful nor efficient in China. Following orders and supporting the boss becomes the employee’s first priority. Western managers must be mindful of the challenges when asking a Chinese employee to break this ingrained behavior and adapting to the Western communication style and culture.
- Peter J Karlsson