Laowai in Chinese is the same as firanghi in Hindi – a slightly condescending word for a foreigner.
Look around most of the multinationals in China – the CEO is likely to be a laowai. Too many laowais inhabit the senior corridors in companies here. It is well tolerated, and many a time even welcomed, by the Chinese. I think Chinese should be less tolerant of laowais running their companies.
That used to be the situation in India a long while ago – its no longer true. I happened to work for a company that was, before my time, the pioneer in the movement to “Indianisation” of management in the 60s. India gained enormously from that move. Its time China did too.
Why do so many laowais run companies in China. Multinationals bemoan the lack of senior management talent in China. Various reasons are given – including the effects of the cultural revolution on the generation which would be senior managers today. I beg to differ.
There are three reasons why companies don’t find senior management talent in China. Firstly they look for English mastery. You won’t get it in that generation in China. But English mastery is an overemphasized quality. It is truly not required. Secondly foreign companies, expect a Western management style, and are uncomfortable with a Chinese management style. Again an overemphasized requirement. What works in China is more important than what is theorized in text books. Remember Japan ? And thirdly many companies are yet to “trust” Chinese. That’s the worst reason of them all – it just shows lack of cultural inclusiveness. Just because the person is different, as he comes from a different culture, is no reason not to trust him. In my experience, you get the same breadth of Chinese managers – the trustworthy to the untrustworthy – as you find in any other country.
There is a fourth reason. The willingness, sometimes even the groveling, for a laowai head, amongst many Chinese. There is an undercurrent of inferiority feeling amongst many Chinese managers. Just because the laowai speaks fluent English and can be loud and boisterous, it does not make him a better leader. This is the one huge difference I notice between India and China. In India, Indians will only grudgingly accept a firangi CEO. In China, it appears Chinese will only grudgingly accept a Chinese CEO !
There are many brilliant leaders and CEOs in the Chinese management pool. To all these guys – here's a message. Go global. Work abroad and learn about other business environments and cultures. Come back. And puff up your chests. Thump the table a bit. And take over running the businesses in China. One of the lovely things about you, is how welcoming and friendly you are to laowais. Be friendly for sure. But don’t let the laowai run you. Only Zhongguoren can build great businesses in Zhongguo
Look around most of the multinationals in China – the CEO is likely to be a laowai. Too many laowais inhabit the senior corridors in companies here. It is well tolerated, and many a time even welcomed, by the Chinese. I think Chinese should be less tolerant of laowais running their companies.
That used to be the situation in India a long while ago – its no longer true. I happened to work for a company that was, before my time, the pioneer in the movement to “Indianisation” of management in the 60s. India gained enormously from that move. Its time China did too.
Why do so many laowais run companies in China. Multinationals bemoan the lack of senior management talent in China. Various reasons are given – including the effects of the cultural revolution on the generation which would be senior managers today. I beg to differ.
There are three reasons why companies don’t find senior management talent in China. Firstly they look for English mastery. You won’t get it in that generation in China. But English mastery is an overemphasized quality. It is truly not required. Secondly foreign companies, expect a Western management style, and are uncomfortable with a Chinese management style. Again an overemphasized requirement. What works in China is more important than what is theorized in text books. Remember Japan ? And thirdly many companies are yet to “trust” Chinese. That’s the worst reason of them all – it just shows lack of cultural inclusiveness. Just because the person is different, as he comes from a different culture, is no reason not to trust him. In my experience, you get the same breadth of Chinese managers – the trustworthy to the untrustworthy – as you find in any other country.
There is a fourth reason. The willingness, sometimes even the groveling, for a laowai head, amongst many Chinese. There is an undercurrent of inferiority feeling amongst many Chinese managers. Just because the laowai speaks fluent English and can be loud and boisterous, it does not make him a better leader. This is the one huge difference I notice between India and China. In India, Indians will only grudgingly accept a firangi CEO. In China, it appears Chinese will only grudgingly accept a Chinese CEO !
There are many brilliant leaders and CEOs in the Chinese management pool. To all these guys – here's a message. Go global. Work abroad and learn about other business environments and cultures. Come back. And puff up your chests. Thump the table a bit. And take over running the businesses in China. One of the lovely things about you, is how welcoming and friendly you are to laowais. Be friendly for sure. But don’t let the laowai run you. Only Zhongguoren can build great businesses in Zhongguo
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9 comments:
Ramesh, I think this is one of your best posts. You're a good observer! The three reasons why companies don’t find senior management talent in China in your post is very true.
I agree strongly that English mastery is desirable, but not truly required. The best Chinese senior manager I've worked with is a non-English speaking Chinese woman, who is of great capability and charisma. The worst is a fluent English speaking guy with a PHD from a British university whose error and work ethic caused a disaster to the company.
With regard to management style, people really need to follow the most effective and efficient management style.
It's a bold statement that many companies are yet to “trust” Chinese. However, it's VERY true. Senior Chinese managers feel there is an invisible ceiling in foreign companies. The top senior executive is always a laowai, a west-educated Taiwanese or a Singaporean Chinese, but never a local Chinese. Many Chinese managers feel they're not trusted and have complained about it.
Generally speaking, the willingness for a laowai head may be strong among many Chinese. But in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, I don't think there is such willingness.
Great post! Highly recommended!
very informative this post, ur take as well as Hang's.. gives a neat and clear picture to people like me, who know nothing about the work dynamics in China... not many jargons thrown in. .. very effectively written.. thanks again..
@ Hang - Thanks for your very kind comment.You've added a very important Chinese perspective.
@AJCL - Thanks - as alwzys you are kind in your comment.
Very informative post Ramesh....have you ever given thought to starting in the Talent Management industry ... or probably you already are.Jokeas apart, this post is fed with great ovservation and knowledge of how businesses work. Second Hang's comments as well.
Brilliant post, bang on! take a bow.
Great post man!
Hey thanks guys - Such kind words are what makes a blogger's day.
@ leb - Now thats a thought. Talent management. Hmmm. Although I suppose you need talent to be in talent management, something I'm in deficit of :)
@adesh & kiwi - Thanks. Much appreciate your words.
Very informative. Came to know something more about China. Communication is important in offices but it does not mean mastering English and just becoz someone is good at speaking English does not necessarily mean he's technically sound too. People should not credit anyone based on their expression in English. It happens in India too, a person fluent in English can become a manager sooner compared to a person who can't, no matter how good he is technically. But however, foreigners are not encouraged and management is limited to Indians.
Thanks Rads. Btw - very nice review of Memoirs of a Geisha in your blog. Loved reading it, but still my hands are tied in commenting !
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