In China, the timing of a decision depends on two interacting forces: internal coordination and external circumstances. Internally, leaders and teams take time to exchange views, manage hierarchies, and ensure that everyone who matters is comfortable with the direction being taken. This process of reaching internal harmony is essential because decisions are expected to represent collective agreement, not individual will.
Externally, factors such as market shifts, partner expectations, or government policies may encourage faster action. Yet even under such pressure, decision-makers prefer not to move ahead until they are sure that relationships are stable, intentions are understood, and risks to trust are minimized. Harmony and mutual assurance signal that the decision will hold and can be carried out smoothly without later disruption or loss of cohesion.