Emotional Journey of Chinese Employees

As a Western leader in China, should you be concerned that promoting someone invariably leads to others feeling apprehensive (焦虑 Jiāolǜ)?

Managing Chinese employees is simple: tell them what to do.

Leading Chinese employees is complicated for Western leaders, requiring a deep understanding of their cultural and emotional psychologies. Their responses, usually in the form of 'lip service,' are cultural displays of respect and a pragmatic way of deepening Guanxi by giving Face. Rarely do Chinese people reveal their true feelings or intentions, as their reasoning is circular and their perspective of 'Truth' is relative.

In Chinese culture, the concept of 'Truth' is a dichotomy with the West, making it crucial to avoid negative judgments when you perceive them as disingenuous or deceitful.

To foster a more collaborative chemistry with Chinese employees, we must delve into their psychology of suppressed emotions and then reinterpret them in the proper cultural context. For instance, whenever a Chinese employee complains to a colleague about someone else in the organization, interpreting it through a Western lens will lead to misguided conclusions. While this behavior is a form of gossip (八卦 bāguà), it also serves as a crucial form of therapy that alleviates depression and other forms of anxiety for stressed Chinese workers. Empathy in this regard allows leaders to address the apprehension (焦虑 Jiāolǜ) experienced by Chinese employees to create opportunities for stronger bonds.

We start with the psychology of Chinese individuals who seek comfort and solace (安慰 ānwèi) for their perceived injustice or unfairness. This emotional condition is like a boiling pot that needs to release its pent-up steam or negative energy' (发泄 Fāxiè), but to the listener, it signifies trust and the deepest form of Guanxi (关系 Guānxì). Chinese individuals have an insatiable desire to feel understood (被理解 Bèi lǐjiě), which is pivotal for attaining their discretionary efforts. Providing a safe space to express their emotions is crucial for building trust inside the Chinese arena.

As a Western leader in China, should you be concerned that promoting someone invariably leads to others feeling apprehensive (焦虑 Jiāolǜ)?

Learn more about my upcoming book , Strategic Pragmatism for De-Risking Post-Covid China: Circumnavigating Cultural and Psychological Landmines Inside the Chinese Arena, on my new author page .