China: What is myth, what reality?
In the last Harvard Business Manager Review (9/2009) a 3 year’s research was introduced that focused on the “old” views we have on China in Europe. The most important mistake of us is to think that Chinese think longterm and are group people = fit for a team. Whoever works in China knows that the opposite can be the truth: short term wins motivate, Chinese “little emperors” have to succeed in daily competition!
The discussion about the last symposium before the bookfair shows what lies behind this biggest thinking mistake of us Westerners: either we are patient with China or we have to push our views accross, either China is a capitalist country or a communist. This “black or white thinking” is our mistake! The most known symbol of Chinas old culture is Yin & Yang. It shows the chinese way of thinking: China is everything we think and much much more. China can be communist and capitalist at the same time, very modern and advanced as well as under developed. The Chinese society has gone through the 20th century within the last 30 years: it’s normal to see a hippie besides a punk or yuppie.
China challenges our way of thinking. It’s time for us to learn in terms of “and”, “as well”! And entertain a real dialogue, where it’s possible to state our point of views as well as listen to the Chinese opinions, share ideas, develop solutions for the future!
