Is your organization run by a boss, a technocrat, a leader, or a mentor? Â Are they all the same?
If you are from the US, then you may see all of these labels as different facets of a single strong manager. Â But Chinese staffers may not see it that way. Â
For a look at how Chinese and Westerners view authority and hierarchy, take a look at Frank Mulligan’s ‘Talent in China’ blog — particularly the Oct 8 post about Hierarchy in China . Â
One lesson here is that Chinese and Westerners see workplace relationships differently. Â Chinese are more comfortable with a BOSS who is above them in the organizational structure. Â Westerners are more at ease with managers who are more-or-less equal to other team-members.
This is precisely the kind of cultural disconnect that causes problems for western managers in China - and they probably never understand why.
Flagging this kind of misunderstanding is a great way to add value if you are a Chinese HR professional.
