Cultural Training, Part 2

[FLASHBACK]

Tuesday, February 10th

Continuing our cultural training, tonight we focused on business topics.  Or, "When faced with a conflict in a Singapore office, whatever your gut reaction is, just stop and do the exact opposite."  For example:

1.)  Instead of taking individual initiatives and taking an idea and running with it yourself, use group decision-making and consensus (sometimes even having meetings before the meeting).  Always say, "We feel that..." or "The group has decided...".  Brain-storming is also never done, people would think you were crazy and no one would participate.

2.)  Not everyone equal in the workplace.  Titles are very important, and people are not comfortable expressing opinions to supervisors.  Instead, there are appropriate and inappropriate behaviours for different roles, and status and position are highly respected.  I was warned that David would get "Yes, sir, good idea sir!"  all day long, and it was my job to remind him he's not the greatest, smartest guy in the world.  No problemo.

3.)  Instead of valuing risk and trying new ways of doing things, caution is excercised.  More time is spent on background research, and there are way many more rules and regulations, even in the business place.

4.)  Instead of speaking your mind and openly confronting difficulties, avoid conflict, especially in group settings.  The concept of "face" is important, and great care must me taken on exactly how things are said.  Communication is very indirect.  If someone is saying "Yes, of course", but looking very uncomfortable, it's a "maybe" at best.  And if you are able to get a "maybe", it's probably a "no".

5.)  In the US work setting, trust is built on what you do and your work achievements.  "Ah, he's gotten those reports to me early every time, I can trust him now and give him more responsibility."  Here, you have to get to know your colleagues and develop trust before doing business.  "We've had lunch and talked about family, travel, etc., so now I can trust him and will happily get those reports to him early."  Taking a long lunch with your work colleagues is more important than the work that's not getting done.

My favorite was practicing translating direct (confrontational) sentences into indirect (non-confrontational) communication:

• "Are you kidding!?  That will never work" becomes "We will do our best"
• "That's the most ridiculous idea I've ever heard" becomes "That's a very interesting viewpoint"
  
• "If you want to do it that way, it's your funeral" becomes "This proposal deserves further consideration"
  
• "No way" becomes "Let's see how it goes"
  
• "Forget it, you're completely missing the point" becomes "Is is all right if we move to the next topic?"

David needs LOTS of practice on this one.