Are You An Assertive Asian Leader?
Interestingly, there is a perception that Asians are less assertive.
From a young age, many of us in the Asian cultures are taught to prioritize group harmony over individual expression. This practice and how we socialize with others can lead to less assertive behavior in both professional and social settings.
Hence when it comes to assertive leadership, Asia presents a fascinating blend of traditional values and modern management practices.
Here are some interesting insights:
Cultural Nuances: In many East Asian cultures, such as Japan and China, assertiveness is often balanced with humility and harmony. Leaders are expected to be decisive yet considerate of group consensus and social harmony. This contrasts with Western styles, where assertiveness is often more direct and individualistic.
Communication Styles: East Asian leaders may use indirect communication to maintain harmony and avoid confrontation. This can be seen as a sign of steadiness and reliability within their cultural context. However, in Western contexts, this might be misinterpreted as a lack of confidence or decisiveness.
Leadership Perception: There is research that suggests that East Asians are underrepresented in leadership positions in the U.S. due to cultural differences in assertiveness. While East Asian cultures emphasize humility and conformity, these traits can be perceived as a lack of leadership qualities in more assertive cultures.
South Asian Leadership: In South Asian cultures, such as India, people are often encouraged to be assertive and debate in conversations. This can lead to a more direct leadership style that aligns more closely with Western expectations.
As Asian economies continue to grow, there is an increasing influence of Asian leadership styles on global business practices. This includes a greater appreciation for the balance between assertiveness and harmony, and the importance of cultural sensitivity in leadership.
Food for Thought: How will you show up as an assertive leader in Asia?
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Edwin Koh
There’s so much value in assertive leadership, especially within diverse teams. How do you think assertiveness shapes team dynamics in different cultural contexts?
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5 个月I can't fully understand the word assertive, but I sure have an Asian trait on this. Show by Example, Lead by Hands-on demostration. This helped me to get buy-in for a team of 18 contract service engineers in OCBC back then.
Enabling others to learn, grow and become better versions of themselves each and every day
5 个月It is often misunderstood or mistaken by many that being hyper vocal and showing assertiveness = displaying leadership qualities. The loudest voice in the room isn't necessarily the smartest one.
As an Asian leader, you will find that some values doesn't even have a parallel meaning in the Western context. Does being assertive get the work done better in the East?