Don’t be surprised by restraint around positive feedback in Chinese professional contexts. When things go well, acknowledgment may be factual rather than effusive—results are noted without elaborate praise. The absence of criticism often functions as implicit approval.
This restraint isn’t coldness; it reflects concern that excessive praise creates complacency or arrogance. When you do receive direct praise, respond with modesty: acknowledge the team’s contribution, note room for continued improvement, or express gratitude without strongly affirming the positive assessment of yourself. “Thank you, we worked hard on this and learned a lot” works better than “Yes, I’m really good at this.” This modest response demonstrates appropriate humility and understanding of proper standards. When giving positive feedback yourself, being specific about achievements works better than general positive characterization.
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