P&G Gets Reticent Researchers to Speak Up

At Procter & Gamble's (PG) massive research facility in Beijing, they have a saying: "No speak, no thought." For the more than 500 Chinese scientists, PhDs, and senior researchers working in the global consumer products company's China research and development division, the mantra defines the skill set needed to excel at P&G.

It's not meant to be a rah-rah corporate cheer. Rather, the statement reminds Chinese employees of the importance of sharing one's thoughts. In China, and across much of Asia, people typically do not share challenging ideas with co-workers, certainly not with higher-ranking colleagues. Asian workers are taught to say little—especially anything that might be perceived as questioning authority—no matter how right they might be. As a result, they keep to themselves. "In Chinese culture, we don't speak in front of superiors," says Jennifer Zhu, an associate director in the R&D division there.