When working with Indian colleagues, understand that how something gets done matters beyond just achieving results. There is typically a “right way” to handle things, and following that right way carries value in itself—not just because it works but because it’s proper. This might seem like unnecessary formality when shortcuts exist, but the manner of doing something confers legitimacy that shortcuts cannot provide. A decision reached through proper process has standing that an identical decision reached improperly lacks.
This doesn’t mean Indians always follow every procedure perfectly—practical adaptation happens constantly—but it means deviation is understood as deviation, not simply as efficiency. When you follow proper process, you gain a legitimacy that protects the outcome later. When you skip steps, you may achieve results but create vulnerability to challenge.
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