Indonesia is an ethnically and culturally diverse country made up of over 17,000 islands. It has the world's largest Muslim population and has a history of being influenced by various religions and foreign powers. Some key aspects of managing cross-culturally in Indonesia include maintaining strict hierarchies, building trust and personal relationships over long periods of time, and avoiding direct confrontation, as decision making focuses on consensus building and maintaining harmony. Paternalistic leadership is common, and flexibility to changes requires a proven track record.