American "Wall Street Journal" article on February 7, original title: U.S. CEOs who visit China cannot avoid it and must dance on stage. U.S. CEOs (CEOs) who visit China face various challenges. The "most scary" thing may be that business leaders have to sing and dance on stage in front of a large audience.
When Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang visited local employees in Shanghai last month, cheering employees invited him to the stage. Huang, 60, put on a floral vest. The video shows him holding a red handkerchief and twerking to the rhythm of a song about missing his hometown and his parents. Employees may say his movements are uncoordinated, but an engineer at NVIDIA in Shanghai believes that Huang's actions are very people-friendly and he now feels more connected to the company.
is a reminder to Western executives visiting China: CEOs can easily be thrust into the spotlight, especially during the Chinese New Year. Celebrations for employees often include hosts, great prizes and entertainment, and you could be a part of it. Hugo Barra, a Silicon Valley veteran, said that in China it is less common for executives to talk about their personal struggles than in the United States, and that singing and dancing is a socially acceptable way for them to show their affinity. "In China, CEOs can be cute," said Barra, who has worked in China for many years. While in China, Barra often danced and sang with other Xiaomi executives, taking time out of their busy schedules. Practice your footwork.
At the beginning of 2020, Musk danced on the stage in China to celebrate the official delivery of the model 3 sedan produced by Tesla's Shanghai factory. Musk took off his suit jacket and flung it aside in an exaggerated manner, and danced to "walk like an Egyptian" in front of the cheering crowd.
In China, business leaders dance plays a special role. Impact Business Consulting founder Chris Pereira has experience helping Chinese and Western companies understand each other's customs. He said company gatherings are an opportunity to build rapport and express gratitude. In contrast, it is more common for Chinese bosses to come to power: some are pulled into power, while others do so willingly. Business consultant Pereira said that one of the major misunderstandings about China among foreigners who go to China for the first time is that they cannot have fun in China. "Singing and dancing may not be common among Western CEOs at the moment, but maybe this is the reason." It is a place where they can learn from their Chinese counterparts.” (Author raffaele huang et al., translated by Qiao Heng) ▲
