Assume nothing

I was thinking about the qualities of the culture-savvy leader as I read this piece on Dan Harris's always insightful China Law Blog. At one point Mr. Harris quotes an earlier essay of his:

PRINCIPLE TWO: Keep an Open Mind. Assume Nothing.

Doing business in an emerging market means taking nothing for granted. I have a mantra for my own legal work in these countries that translates well to the business world: "Assume nothing, but assume that you are assuming things without even realizing you are doing so."

Things will be different. Very different. Things you take for granted in your home country might not exist in the emerging market country. Things you take for granted in your home country might be the exact opposite in the emerging market country. Things you think will be totally different in the emerging market country may be exactly the same. Things you thought you knew about emerging market countries based on what you know from another emerging market country may be completely different in a neighboring country, or even in another region within the same country.

The principle, one more time: Keep an open mind, and assume nothing.

Well put.

China is an emerging market that can be particularly disorienting in this regard. The culture-savvy leader's curiosity, empathy and equanimity are strong allies in this setting.

Please read the entire piece by Dan Harris. You'll find it worthwhile.