Calypso Consulting

An exciting and informative book about what it takes to be an effective leader in China, and this should be read not only by “westerners” but by Chinese executives and managers as well. Without patronizing either Chinese wisdom or Western (American) practices Gallo does a great job of helping the reader to become culturally sensitive, even empathic on an interpersonal level. He provides invaluable practical experiences with clear applications about pitfalls to navigate and bridges to build to work effectively with Chinese organizations and their workforces. I loved his personal examples and willingness to share lessons learned the hard way!
 
Barry Z. Posner, PhD
Dean and Professor of Leadership
Santa Clara University (USA)
Co-author, The Leadership Challenge, A Leader’s Legacy, Credibility

 
Frank Gallo has addressed one of the most pressing and complex issues for companies in China – business leadership. By sharing his own experience in consulting in China, he provides practical advice and examples of how Chinese business leaders think and act. The book compares and contrasts Western and Chinese approaches to leadership. Whether this is your first month in China or you have been grappling with these issues for years, this new book gives a fresh, welcome perspective.
 
Michael Barbalas
President
American Chamber of Commerce, China

 
Business Leadership in China will help Western managers in their search to understand the business environment and their Chinese colleagues and customers. This book is one of the few to offer an easily accessible interpretation of the Chinese view of management, which will help expatriates learn to be effective more quickly in the new environment.
 
Dr. Nandani Lynton
Vice-President, Thunderbird Asia
Clinical Professor of Global Business
Thunderbird School of Global Management

 
A must read for leaders who want to succeed in China, but also a way for Chinese leaders to understand how different their own leadership style is from the Western mainstream. Frank Gallo has the eye of the CEO working in China, the ear of a consultant, and the mind of the real-world thinker. A real gem of a book.
 
Professor Bob Aubrey
CEO, Metizo

 
Dr. Gallo provides a first rate leadership model for businesses in China. Anyone doing business or thinking of doing business in China must read this book.
 
Paul E. Platten, Ph.D.
Global Practice Director, Watson Wyatt Worldwide
 
 

It seems that everyday a new book on doing business in China is written. I read the summaries of many of these books; then put them aside as having nothing solid to add. However, occasionally a book comes along that I think is so good it needs to be recommended. Three such books recommended in the past were "Brand Warriors - China" by Fiona Gilmore & Serge Dumont; "One Billion Customers" by James McGregor; and Managing the Dragon" by Jack Perkowski.

Now, a new book has arrived on the scenes that is a "must read". "Business Leadership in China" by Frank T. Gallo. This is almost a textbook on how to blend best Western practices with Chinese wisdom.

Dr. Frank Gallo, the former Managing Consultant with Watson Wyatt in China, offers sage advice on effective leadership practices for the China market. His key areas of focus include:

* the unique challenge and complex issues of leading a firm or division in China;
* major areas of cultural differences such as teamwork, decision-making and employee motivation, between Chinese and Western business practices;
* common areas of misunderstanding such as truth versus courteousness; managing a hierarchy versus empowerment; and dealing with the role of the individual rather than the rule of law;
* implementing effective leadership strategies and development with a Chinese company.

This timely book will ensure a harmonious leadership style that draws out the best from both Western and Chinese business practices.

Russ M. Miller, LLIF, Chairman & CEO
Performance Institute - Human Capital Development
 

As a leadership development consultant working closely with China-based MNCs and top-tier Chinese companies, we frequently ask our clients the following questions:

- How many expatriate managers do you have in your China organization?
- Are they China business savvy enough?
- Are they struggling in cracking the culture code and becoming more effective in managing in China?
- Are there lessons they can learn from others so that they can avoid making certain mistakes themselves?
- Is developing local leaders on the top of your agenda?
- What gaps do you see in the emerging Chinese leaders?
- How can you fast track your leadership development to meet your business need?
- Are your Chinese leaders armed with the strategies to rise more quickly?

Most of these questions have been addressed by Frank Gallo in his book. For most expat managers in China and Chinese leaders embracing the Western leadership principles, leading effectively in China is such a huge challenge. Without an in-depth understanding of the Chinese history and culture, it's almost impossible for leaders to grasp the organizational reality and respond with a sensible strategy.

For example, Chinese employees don't always speak up in meetings because the education has always been that "the first bird out got shot;" the Chinese employees generally don't collaborate well enough because the Chinese education system is basically based on competition and in many cases, the Chinese understanding of competition is "I win, you lose" or "You win, I lose". Win-win is something desirable but impossible. Frank Gallo provided his own insights on such Chinese organizational behaviors, which is deeply rooted in the Chinese history and culture.

You may also like the personal stories and insights of both the Western executives and Chinese managers scattered throughout the book. Needless to say, these personal stories and sharing helps make Frank Gallo's book to be extremely down-to-the-earth and practical.

I highly recommend this insightful and empowering book to all the Western executives based in China and the Chinese managers who are serious students of the Western leadership principles. For further exchange, you can send an e-mail to gary.wang@mindspan.cn.
Gary Wang (2008)
CEO
MindSpan Learning

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China in Transition in Management Leadership Style
 
China is a country of old and new and one that is in transition. In every sector, it is now in the process of blending its tradition, customs and practices with Western concepts and ideas. In the business world, it is the blending of its wisdom and Western practices.
 
Frank Gallo, the retired Greater China Managing Consultant of Watson Wyatt Worldwide, recently published an interesting book ``Business Leadership in China.'' The 220-page book sheds light on the uniqueness of China's business leadership, the clash of old and new generation leaders and its transition to hybrid management leadership practices. Michael Barbalas, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, said, ``Frank Gallo has addressed one of the most pressing and complex issues for companies in China¡ business leadership. By sharing his own experiences of consulting in China, he provides practical advise and examples of how Chinese business leaders think and act.
He listed many cases that Western CEOs may encounter in doing business unless they fully study the delicacy of China's management practices.
Changsup Lee
Executive Managing Editor, Korea Times (2008)

To buy the book "Business Leadership in China" written by Frank T. Gallo

• If you are IN China you can go to Mindspan
• If you are OUTSIDE of China you can go to Amazon