What are the most effective communication strategies for working with colleagues from China?

1 Respect and hierarchy

One of the most important values in Chinese culture is respect, especially for elders, superiors, and those with higher status or authority. This means that you should always address your Chinese colleagues by their titles and surnames, unless they invite you to use their first names. You should also avoid direct criticism, confrontation, or disagreement, as this can be seen as rude and disrespectful. Instead, use subtle hints, indirect suggestions, or questions to express your opinions or concerns. You should also pay attention to the order of speaking, listening, and introducing people, as this reflects the hierarchy and seniority in the group.

2 Harmony and face

Another key value in Chinese culture is harmony, which means maintaining a positive and peaceful relationship with others, avoiding conflicts, and preserving face. Face is a complex concept that refers to one's reputation, dignity, and prestige. You can give face to your Chinese colleagues by praising their achievements, showing appreciation, and acknowledging their contributions. You can also lose face or cause others to lose face by embarrassing, blaming, or insulting them in public or private. Therefore, you should always be polite, humble, and tactful in your communication, and avoid any actions that might damage face.

4 Indirectness and ambiguity

Chinese communication is also often indirect and ambiguous, which means that the speaker may use vague, general, or euphemistic language to avoid being too blunt, assertive, or aggressive. This can be confusing or frustrating for those who are used to direct and clear communication, as they may not understand the real intention or expectation of the speaker. Therefore, you should not take everything at face value, but rather look for hidden meanings, implications, or signals. You should also avoid using absolute or negative words, such as yes, no, always, never, or impossible, as they may sound too strong or harsh. Instead, use words that express possibility, preference, or suggestion, such as maybe, perhaps, or it would be better if.