Boardroom Etiqutte Culture-Asia
Photo by Gildan Media 2018
By Ralph Ward, Publisher/Editor
Even with the push for more boardroom refreshment and diversity, by the time you’re named to a corporate board, you’ve learned a few lessons on how to conduct yourself in top business settings. But in Western countries, much of your boardroom exposure has likely been homogenous, with people from similar cultural backgrounds.
The past decade, however, has seen a more cosmopolitan shift on boards as all companies seek more global insights, and greater use of online meetings make international membership more practical.
Below is the first in a series on world boardroom etiquette, beginning with Asia. If you’re a U.S. or other Western board pro, what tips should you re-learn to fit into the Asia boardroom?
▪ You may be used to scoping out the power pecking order in nearby boardrooms, but on most Asian boards,
hierarchy has different and tighter rules. “In the U.S., we take a more individual approach to business, but in Asia, it’s more collective and hierarchal,” observes Sharon Schweitzer, global business culture advisor and author of the book Access to Asia. Tenure on the board, age, and rank within the company all carry distinct roles and levels of respect. Unspoken protocols on who speaks first and whose views carry the most weight require close observation before jumping in.
▪ Seating at the board table is likewise formal. Most U.S. boards, especially at younger companies, have abandoned name cards at the board table, but in Japan and other Asian zones, such standards are still observed. Seating in relation to the board’s leader is followed here, and can tell you much about power dynamics. Also – “the board leader is always the first to sit down, so wait on that leader,” says Schweitzer.
▪ Boards in Asian countries, especially Japan, practice the newawashi approach to meetings. Topics to be covered, business matters and especially disagreements are worked out one-on-one in advance of the actual board meeting. The meeting itself is then brief and perfunctory, essentially voting to approve matters already decided. This can leave Westerners feeling left out, or worse, trying to hash out and debate business settled before the meeting. This will be awkward, causing other members to lose face and feel threatened.
▪ This doesn’t mean that nothing happens in Asia board meetings, but discussion norms differ. Schweitzer finds that board agendas are not as tightly followed as in the West, with diversions accepted by all. Presentations tend to proceed uninterrupted, however. Questions, if any, should be held until the very end. If you see a director with eyes closed, he or she “isn’t napping, but listening.” Also, direct disagreement in a board meeting is considered insulting, so expect more subtlety. “That would be difficult” or “let’s discuss that later” politely means No. Leadership orders likewise will be more subtle. “If someone in Korea says ‘In my humble opinion…’ assume that’s a mandate.”
RALPH WARD’S BOARDROOM INSIDER is published monthly for directors, CEOs, those who work with corporate and nonprofit boards (corporate secretaries, corporate counsel, support staff, and consultants), and board prospects. Ralph Ward is author of the books HACKING THE BOARDROOM, BOARD-SEEKER, BOARDROOM Q&A, THE NEW BOARDROOM LEADERS, SAVING THE CORPORATE BOARD, IMPROVING THE CORPORATE BOARD and 21st CENTURY CORPORATE BOARD, and a speaker and trainer on corporate board issues.
Our address is PO Box 196, Riverdale, MI USA 48877. Tel:1+989 833-7615. Our website is www.boardroominsider.com No reproduction or forwarding of this material is allowed without legal permission. Views and advice expressed do not necessarily represent those of Ralph Ward or the Boardroom INSIDER newsletter, and should not be construed as legal or professional advice. Copyright 2025.
Sharon Schweitzer JD, is a cross-cultural trainer, etiquette expert, and the founder of Access to Culture. In addition to her accreditation in intercultural management from the HOFSTEDE Centre, she is an attorney and mediator. Sharon served as a Chinese Ceremonial Dining Etiquette Specialist in the documentary series Confucius was a Foodie, on Nat Geo People. Her Amazon #1 Best Selling book in International Business, Access to Asia: Your Multicultural Business Guide, won a coveted Kirkus Star, and was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books. She’s a winner of numerous awards, including the British Airways International Trade Award at the Greater Austin Business Awards.
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