Fostering Mattering: A Qualitative Exploration of Leadership Communication in Collectivist East Asian Organizations

Ji Hye Jaime Chung Mahidol University ; Xiaoxia Wei Mahidol University

Abstract

This qualitative study explores how mindful leadership communication fosters organizational mattering in East Asian workplaces shaped by Confucian values and collectivist traditions. Drawing on interviews with mid-level managers, the findings identifies culturally embedded communication strategies such as formal and informal recognition, mutual respect, and nonverbal cues that build trust, enhance belonging, and promote empowerment. These practices contribute to collective workplace cohesion and employees’ sense of relatedness. Mindful leadership communication functions both as a psychological enabler and a strategic tool, reinforcing relationships and engagement. It emerges as a core component of mattering in high-context East Asian organizational cultures, supporting sustainable organizational development.

Journal
Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
Published
2025-09-27
DOI
10.1177/23294906251370672
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