Individual agreements in Indian contexts often implicate broader collectives—family reputation is at stake when individuals make commitments, and family opinion often factors into major decisions. Major commitments (significant partnerships, large purchases, employment decisions) may appropriately involve consultation with family members.
This is not intrusion but the collective’s legitimate interest in what affects collective reputation and resources. When working with Indian counterparts, don’t be surprised if decisions involve consultation beyond the immediate individual. Allow time for this consultation rather than pressing for immediate commitment. Understand that your counterpart’s family and community standing provides both constraint and backing—they cannot commit lightly, but commitments they make carry collective support. When meeting families or associates of business counterparts, understand that you are engaging the broader network that makes agreements function.
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