#669
Context:- Podcasts on Xi JinPing's late father.... Made me ponder a lot and lot and dive deep in to my work experiences!
Traveling across 30 countries, I’ve seen it all—workplace quirks, cultural clashes, and leadership styles that shape how nations rise or stumble. But nothing stands out more than the stark contrast between Chinese and Indian thinking, with a dash of Western influence for comparison. From the polished streets of Shanghai to the chaotic vibrancy of Bangalore, I’ve coined a phrase back in 2011: “Cunning like Chinese; Crooked like Indians.” It’s a cheeky way to capture the frustrations and fascinations of working in these two powerhouses. But beyond the humor lies a deeper question: what drives these differences in how people and leaders operate, and can India or the West ever match China’s relentless march forward? Let’s dive into the commonalities, differences, and what it all means.
The Common Ground: Pragmatism and Ambition
At their core, Chinese and Indian societies share some surprising similarities, rooted in their histories and aspirations:
Survival Through Pragmatism: Both nations have faced centuries of hardship—China’s “century of humiliation” and India’s colonial past. This breeds a pragmatic mindset where individuals and leaders prioritize stability and opportunity over ideology. In China, this shows up as loyalty to the system, even when it’s flawed, as seen in Xi Jinping’s rise despite his family’s persecution under Mao. In India, it’s the “jugaad” mentality—improvising to get by, sometimes bending rules to make things work.
Ambition and Scale: Both countries are driven by a hunger to reclaim global prominence. China’s disciplined, state-led push for economic dominance mirrors India’s chaotic but relentless entrepreneurial spirit. Whether it’s a Chinese tech giant like Huawei or an Indian startup in Bangalore, the goal is clear: rise fast, compete hard.
Indirect Communication: In both cultures, saying “no” directly is rare. A Chinese colleague might say “we shall see” to avoid conflict, while an Indian might nod and say “we’ll try” to keep things friendly. This can frustrate outsiders expecting clear commitments, leading to what I’ve called “nasty surprises” in workplaces.
The Differences: Order vs. Chaos, Loyalty vs. Critique
While China and India share some traits, their approaches to people and leadership diverge sharply, shaped by culture, history, and systems.
People: Harmony vs. Individuality
Chinese Collectivism: Chinese culture, rooted in Confucianism, emphasizes harmony, hierarchy, and collective goals. In conversations, I noticed educated Chinese in Shanghai and Guangzhou speak respectfully about leaders like, Chairman Mao, Xi Jinping, even to a foreigner like me. This isn’t just fear of surveillance—it’s a cultural norm to project unity and save face, especially in front of outsiders. At work, this translates to employees agreeing to tasks to please bosses, even if they can’t deliver, leading to perceptions of “cunning” when promises fall through.
Indian Individuality: India’s diversity—linguistic, religious, regional—fosters a more individualistic, expressive mindset. In India, people openly criticize politicians like Modi in colorful, unfiltered terms, even with foreigners around. This reflects a democratic culture where dissent is a badge of freedom. In workplaces, this can manifest as “crooked” behavior—overpromising to secure a deal or using jugaad to skirt rules, which can feel unreliable to outsiders.
Cultural Nuances
China’s Face-Saving Culture: Public criticism of leaders or colleagues risks losing face, so issues are often swept under the rug until they become unavoidable. This can feel deceptive but is meant to maintain harmony.
India’s Open Critique: Indians wear their opinions on their sleeves, with politicians and bosses fair game for mockery. This openness fosters creativity but can lead to distrust when verbal promises don’t match outcomes.
Additional Factors Shaping the Divide
Beyond culture, several factors amplify these differences:
Historical Context: China’s centralized imperial history and the CCP’s dominance create a unified narrative of national rejuvenation. India’s fragmented history—princely states, colonial rule, and diverse identities—breeds a pluralistic, less cohesive mindset.
Economic Systems: China’s state-led capitalism allows rapid, coordinated growth (think Belt and Road Initiative), but it demands conformity. India’s market-driven chaos fuels innovation (like its tech startups), but bureaucracy and corruption can slow progress.
Education and Propaganda: China’s education system embeds Party loyalty, framing the CCP as the nation’s savior. India’s education is diverse and decentralized, encouraging debate but sometimes lacking focus.
Global Exposure: Urban Chinese are exposed to global ideas but filtered through censorship, reinforcing a cautious worldview. Indians, with freer access to information, embrace global trends but grapple with internal divisions.
Can India and the West Catch Up with China?
China’s edge—its ability to execute at scale, from high-speed rail to AI—comes from its disciplined, top-down system. But does that mean India or the West (like the U.S.) can’t compete? Here’s the breakdown:
China’s Strengths: Centralized planning, massive investment, and a culture of compliance allow China to move fast. Xi’s vision of “national rejuvenation” aligns leaders and people toward common goals, minimizing internal friction. However, this comes at the cost of innovation stifled by censorship and a lack of dissent to challenge bad ideas.
India’s Potential: India’s diversity and democratic ethos foster creativity and resilience. Its tech hubs in Bangalore, produce global giants like Infosys, driven by entrepreneurial hustle. But India struggles with infrastructure, red tape, and inconsistent execution, which slow its pace.
Western Challenges: The West, particularly the U.S., leads in innovation and individual freedom but faces polarization and short-term thinking. Unlike China’s long-term plans, Western democracies shift with elections, disrupting continuity.
Catching Up?: India and the West can’t (and shouldn’t) copy China’s authoritarian model—it clashes with their values. Instead, they can leverage their strengths:
India: Streamline bureaucracy, invest in education, and unify around shared economic goals without sacrificing diversity. Experience with “jugaad” shows India’s knack for innovation—channeling that into consistent execution for excellence could close the gap.
West: Focus on long-term infrastructure and R&D, and bridge political divides to match China’s strategic clarity. See China as big threat to everything. (Russia can wait!)
Collaboration: India and the West could partner more, combining India’s cost-effective talent with Western innovation to counter China’s scale.
What Can Be Done About It?
The “cunning” and “crooked” behaviors that are seen aren’t fixed traits—they’re symptoms of systems and cultures. Here’s how to address them:
In China:
Transparency: Encourage clearer communication in workplaces, perhaps through training for global business etiquette. Foreign partners can push for written contracts to reduce ambiguity.
Incentivize Trust: Reward reliability over short-term wins, which could shift the “cunning” perception. Global firms working with Chinese suppliers should set realistic timelines and verify progress.
In India:
Professionalize Jugaad: Channel India’s improvisational genius into structured innovation, with better project management to avoid “crooked” surprises.
Reduce Bureaucracy: Streamline processes to minimize the need for corner-cutting, building trust with global partners.
Cross-Cultural Understanding: For foreigners, and people returning to India from overseas for global roles in professional committments, navigating these cultures means learning their cues. In China, treat “maybe” as a polite “no” and push for clarity. In India, double-check verbal commitments with written agreements. Training in cultural intelligence can help avoid those “nasty surprises.”
Leadership: Control vs. Negotiation
Chinese Centralized Authority: Chinese leaders like Xi Jinping embody top-down control, a trait rooted in the Communist Party’s structure. A new book, The Party’s Interests Come First: The Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping by Joseph Torigian (released June 3, 2025), sheds light on this mindset. Xi Zhongxun, Xi Jinping’s father, faced persecution under Mao—imprisoned and humiliated—yet remained loyal to the CCP, a value passed down to his son. Xi Jinping’s own hardships, like living in a cave during the Cultural Revolution and losing his sister to possible suicide, didn’t break his faith in the Party. This reflects the Chinese cultural norm of prioritizing collective stability over personal grievances, which I saw in how professionals in Shanghai and Guangzhou spoke respectfully of leaders, even to a foreigner like me. In workplaces, this translates to a disciplined but opaque environment, where managers expect deference, and the “cunning” I noticed comes from face-saving rather than outright deceit.
Indian Democratic Negotiation: Indian leaders, by contrast, operate in a messy democracy, juggling diverse interests. Politicians like Modi face open, often scathing criticism, as I’ve seen firsthand—Indians don’t hold back, even with foreigners around. This reflects a culture where dissent is a badge of freedom, unlike Xi’s tightly controlled system. In workplaces, Indian leaders and employees negotiate constantly, leading to a looser hierarchy where commitments can shift, contributing to the “crooked” surprises I’ve encountered. While Xi’s leadership, shaped by his father’s legacy, focuses on Party unity, Indian leaders navigate a fragmented landscape, prioritizing adaptability over control.
Final Thoughts
China’s disciplined collectivism and India’s chaotic individualism each have strengths and flaws. China’s thinking—rooted in harmony and control—gives it a lead in execution but risks stifling creativity. India’s open, critical mindset fuels innovation but struggles with consistency. The West sits somewhere in between, with freedom but fractured focus. Neither India nor the West needs to become China to compete—they need to play to their strengths, streamline their systems, and learn from each other. As for me, I’ll keep chuckling at the “cunning” and “crooked” moments, knowing they’re just part of the global dance of getting things done.
What’s your take? Have you seen these differences play out in your travels? Drop a comment and let’s keep the conversation going!
Karthik
6/6/26 9am.
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