Business is always personal in Asia.


We often assume business is a universal language, but the "dialect" changes drastically across borders.


In many Western contexts, the sales revenue or transaction is king. But looking through an Asian lens, all business is personal. It isn't just about contracts or invoices; it is about the human connection & lifelong trust behind them.


There is a profound preference for harmony. Rather than the "move fast and break things" approach—often viewed as the destruction of the normal order—there is a focus on stability, respecting hierarchy, and maintaining balance.


This "Let's not change anything" miindset heavily influences leadership expectations. Asian bosses typically prioritize deep, demonstrated loyalty from their existing staff over the ambitious new hires. However, new hires who can lead and execute the business plan will win over the bosses. It is not about the volume of your voice in the boardroom, but the depth of your commitment after you leave the room.


To navigate the global market, we must move beyond our own cultural defaults and appreciate these nuances in Asian markets. What works in one city may not in another Asian city..


How do you balance the drive for business transformation (disruption) with the need for harmony in your professional relationships? What happens when the firm faces a crisis unsolvable using existing leadership?


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