Coaching In China

My first venture to China was in 1993 when I visited Ningbo, flying in from Shanghai and taking what was then a 4 hour journey. What struck me most back then was the hierarchy of management and the lack of respect for its employees. Over the next ten years I would have two short stints of living in the Country with multiple visits and in 2012 set up business in both Hong Kong and Shanghai. The change in that time was incredible, try and employ people now in Shanghai or other cities in the Country and you face challenges not dissimilar to the UK or USA.

Coaching is still a foreign concept to the Chinese even though it is slowly becoming more accepted. One can even say that coaching, and the concept of coaching, has the potential to create transformational thinking and enhance leadership. It can provide an effective leadership model.

There are many proven benefits of being Coached well, business leaders can enhance their ability to make bold decisions, stretch their capabilities and begin to understand the power of emotional intelligence when it comes to leading teams and businesses.

So why is Coaching in China a good thing and what has changed?

Like employees in the most Countries in the world, Chinese employees in cities demand more from their employees. According to the Chinese Human Resource Survey of companies in China, only twenty-four percent of employees are satisfied with the quality of managers/leaders in their companies while seventy-six percent are either dissatisfied or neutral.

There are three main obstacles that Chinese business leaders face. First is a need for communication. Employees expect to communicate with their superiors and receive feedback. Second is a need for growth. Employees expect opportunities for professional growth and development. The final challenge resides in managers/leaders not meeting staff’s expectations.

The result of these obstacles is high staff turnover. Lack of a sense of belonging; not being recognised. The generation born in the 00's live in a high-speed information age. They possess extensive knowledge and are exposed to many messages, facts, and data. While they like innovation and quick thinking, they also desire recognition and appreciation. 

However, corporate management is still operating in an industrial age management framework with their subordinates subject to their control and requirements. Under this management style, the employees do not feel they are valued. They feel that their directors are autocratic and opinionated. Furthermore, they acknowledge that how they feel at work is important to them.

Coaching has the potential for dealing with these leadership issues in the business world.

Coaching is an ongoing, intentional conversation that empowers a person to fully live out and develop their potential. This concept with its techniques is the answer to resolving the obstacles that are hindering Chinese companies.

Coaching focuses on thought processes and actions. It strives to stimulate thinking and concrete actions and avoids the shortcoming of current management styles. The core of coaching is to nurture observation and a sense of responsibility. Thus, coaching is walking alongside someone to empower that individual to be his or her own problem solver. The goal is to empower and affect leadership training.

Coaching emphasises effective listening and meaningful questioning. This unique approach helps to establish good communication and boosts the feeling of being respected as well as openness on the part of the one coached. It also promotes the latter’s self-knowledge.

The Future of Coaching in China

“As the lotus flower begins to bud, the dragonfly is already on it.”

In the world of business, companies like Huawei, Lenovo and others have started to bring coaching techniques into their management practices and are gradually establishing a coaching culture. Rosia Bay provides Coaching services for businesses in Hong Kong and China. With experience of  running businesses, hiring staff, joint ventures, and sourcing, our understanding of the Chinese market supports our ability to provide deep and meaningful insights for todays Chinese leaders.