Many foreign companies or managers believed that they can manage China just like how they manage westerners or they simply believed that people will be responsible for what they do and up to the job.

Unfortunately, that’s not the case in China… even in Fortune 100 companies. If in an office, the boss doesn’t sit there, a few things may happen:

• Another Chinese manager will try to take over and be in control of the entire office
• You can’t expect the team to perform well… they may still be able to do basic things, but sometimes even the basics cannot be done
• You find your employees in game rooms more often than on their seats
• Increase in political conflicts & personal fights in the team

Having been in China for over 5 years as foreigners and been in many multinational companies… I have not seen an office in China that can work or perform well when the manager doesn’t sit in China office. Do you witness the same?