Business across cultures taught me one thing above all else: listen more, assume less. 👂
Over the past few years, I’ve had business conversations with partners in China, Korea, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
Every market felt different. Every negotiation had its own rhythm.
In some markets, a quick “yes” in a meeting doesn’t mean the deal is done — it means “I heard you.” In others, silence isn’t disagreement — it’s respect. I’ve made the mistake of misreading both.
One experience that stayed with me was a negotiation over payment terms with a Taiwan distributor. I went into the meeting ready to push hard on our conditions. But the more I pushed, the quieter the room became. I thought I was losing them.
Afterward, a colleague told me: “They were actually interested. But they needed more time to feel comfortable.”
I had been so focused on closing the deal that I forgot to build the relationship first.
In Japan, we have a saying: 急がば回れ — “If you’re in a hurry, take the long way around.”
That applies to international business more than almost anything else I’ve experienced.
The fastest way to close a cross-border deal is often to slow down, ask better questions, and let the other side feel genuinely heard.
Have you had a similar experience in international business? I’d love to hear how you navigated it.
#InternationalBusiness
#CrossCulture
#BusinessNegotiation
#GlobalTrade
#JapanBusiness
#ExportStrategy
