Jobs in China can be frustrating and difficult. A convoluted visa system, language barriers, culture shock and constant change are just some of the initial challenges foreign workers face in entering the Chinese workplace. And it only gets harder from there.
However, despite these challenges, working in China has taught me some valuable lessons and changed my style of work forever. That's how.
I've become more gently persistent
A traditional Chinese strategy for conflict resolution is the deflection and redirection.
Walking into an office and requesting a task typically elicits a response akin to, "Absolutely, let me confer with my colleague and get back to you." However, a significant amount of time may transpire before any update materializes. Indeed, even more time may elapse. Eventually, you might revisit the office and inquire about your application's progress, only to be met with one of two possibilities:
"Oops, I completely forgot."
Let me check again. "" Ah, they're checking with someone else. I'll let you know when I say "." They said that our department does not handle you should ask another department.
" "I never asked for that."
In a perfect world, you could react by throwing his desk by the window. Unfortunately, in the real world usually is not an option. This process can be frustrating, but it taught me three things
1.
always take the initiative and not wait for someone to contact you 2. be firm. make it clear that it will be a big part of his life until help you / make your work.
smile :. 3. always be polite and pleasant, while following steps 1-2
once shows that are nice, present and who will not take no for an answer, the one of the assailant possible, usually relent and do what you ask.
While the art of hiding in a bureaucracy is common in China, the art of relentless persecution educated is a valuable remedy. 2. I learned the value of keeping detailed records
referring back to the previous situation, what to do when a col EGA claims never made a request for them in the first place? Furiously waving and shouting expletives, while tempting, do not help your case.
This is where the paper trail goes into action.
Always make sure that at the least the first request and its response is recorded in some form of written communication, either in text or email. Check with them intermittently also helps himself, but always want to keep an ongoing record of events.
This corporate Savviness protects you from nebulous verbal promises and helps keep your co-conscious work of the tasks requested. 3. I learned to back up any suggestions with research and data
Many people claim that saving face, the idea that the perception of the public and respect are paramount, is a concept that dominates the Chinese workplace.
This often stops employees talk about problems for fear that his superiors lose face no denying face.There is a powerful force in a corporate environment, but it is not absolute.
In my experience, leaders and Chinese colleagues are open to suggestions for improving work procedures or work environment, as long as you have compelling reasons for the suggestion, preferably backed by some kind of data , research and cost analysis. These suggestions should also be expressed with deference and commitment that you are willing to take assume responsibility for monitoring the application if necessary.
Working in China has taught me to recognize and solve problems independently, when possible, but also to make suggestions for managing well thought otherwise. This has not only improved my job satisfaction and working life, but has also taught me the importance of expressing my opinion in a more logical and structured manner. 4.
I learned to recognize my value and bargaining power
've met many foreign workers who try to assimilate the standards of Chinese work as closely as possible: work unpaid overtime, keeping silent They are expressing concerns about making free promotion, and allowing their work to be exploited or stolen. They do it for fear of being fired. My answer to that is, so what if you get fired?
This article has discussed the importance of being polite and logical in their complaints, but sometimes must go firmly against problems or working conditions that are unacceptable to you.
China is huge, and therefore has a huge job market for foreigners, especially when many expatriates have left or are stuck outside the country.
While you always want to stay calm and civil, seeking leverage to force cooperation from your employer can be as easy as looking in your contract (for example, are providing you health insurance mandatory at national level?). If, after measured and sensible suggestions, refuse to change or compromise, finding a new job, regardless of their profession or nationality, you probably will not be so difficult.
Transferring your visa to another company, while annoying, is not an insurmountable obstacle if it means you will be happier in your work life. Work in China has taught me the importance of understanding my courage, my bargaining power, the labor market, and how a job well timed switch can greatly improve your career. 5.
I have learned to wait out bad suggestions
My previous entries discussed the importance of trust and educated in certain situations, assertiveness. However, as the old saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans. You may have a boss incompetent or that could be part of a corporate structure where incoherent kind suggestions or open defiance will not help anything.
In cases like these, it is possible that new procedures for programs, strategies or work dictated that make absolutely no sense.
Instead of getting angry and fighting new concept from the outset, this is when you can use the inertia of the system against it. Just nods at the meeting when his superiors give their new revolutionary idea (horrible), and then forget about him and watch him die in the cold.
Most of the time, there will be little or no follow through the idea and, if not directly opposed to it, will never take place significantly. Having the patience to wait out proposals stupid is one of the most important skills working in China has taught me.
These are just some of the ways of working in China has changed my style of work.
Categories:
China,
Foreign
Workers,
Workplace
Challenges,
Corporate
Savviness,
Data
Analysis.,
