Chinese Values in Supervisory Discourse: Implications for Culturally Sensitive Practices

Despite the long history of work addressing cultural competency, relatively little attention has been given to how supervisory
discourse affects the supervision unit in any context—particularly within the Chinese context. This article reflects a consideration
of Chinese cultural values within the supervisor-supervisee discourse and their potentially positive and negative effects
on the supervisory system. We describe an approach to supervision that details how to address intersecting forms of cultural
values such as social hierarchy, piety, face-concerns, other-centeredness, and harmony that may be operating within the Chinese
social and professional context. We include three supervisory practices to address Chinese values, with case examples that
illustrate them.