An article on the management-issues.com mentions how Chinese executives raised the question of why President Obama wasn’t sitting at the head of the table in that famous photograph following the capture of Osama Bin Laden. This illustrates how hierarchical cultures are used to having a leader at the head of the table, regardless of the fact that others may be more relevant experts for the given situation.
Flat vs. hierarchical organisation
The corporate culture of some contemporary companies is rather anti-hierarchical. However, in many other companies management still has much more of a commanding and controlling nature. In such settings the most senior leader in the room always has the final say.
People who are not used to a flat, egalitarian culture usually assume that decisions are made in a collaborative and consensual way. This, however, is a misconception. In an egalitarian culture, it is always the individual who is closest to the issue who decides. This enables quick and very flexible decision-making. Consensus is usually not sought, for efforts to that end could paralyse everything.
In hierarchical cultures, a large number of people are involved in the decision-making process. Only rarely does the most senior leader make the decision alone because usually lengthy discussions with many colleagues precede the decision itself.
Set expectations at the outset
The importance of informal conversation is often disputed. Is it crucial for building trust or just an unproductive pastime?
Here again it is necessary to align expectations. Explain them, debate them and test understanding. Only then can diverse perspectives actually help to achieve something special.
-jk-