Chinese decision-making culture expects significant decisions to receive thorough consideration before commitment. Hasty decisions are criticized regardless of outcome—the process matters, not just the result. Proper deliberation considers multiple dimensions: practical consequences, relationship effects, timing implications, moral dimensions, long-term outcomes.
Don’t rush Chinese counterparts toward decisions; respect that proper consideration takes time. When you’re presenting options, provide the information needed for comprehensive deliberation across multiple dimensions. Expect questions about factors you might not have considered central.
When deliberation seems to be taking longer than you’d expect, recognize that this represents proper process, not delay for its own sake. The pattern is deliberate carefully, then act decisively—thorough consideration followed by full commitment once a decision is made.
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