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Mike · Site Admin Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 4512 Location:

Lek is not a popular person among her Thai colleagues in the department. She does not do much of her work. Her desk is messy. Most of the credit she receives actually comes from the contributions of her peers. Her colleagues always work overtime in order to complete projects by deadline, while Lek leaves for home early most of the time. She proclaims her motto is, ``Work smart, not work hard''.

But in the meeting room, Lek is the most active participant. Whenever Joe, the expat manager presents anything, she agrees and summarises the key points to confirm her understanding. Sometimes, she adds additional ideas and input without fear of losing face. She also shows courage by disagreeing with Joe whenever she has a better rationale. She asks questions when she does not understand.

Joe really likes her. Apart from being fluent in English, she is the most assertive person in the department. But her peers have negative perceptions. The man sai (dislike) effect makes her the black sheep of the office family.

After a meeting, Joe is having lunch with Peter, an expat who works in another business unit.

Joe says, ``Peter, I have a gem in my department. Among my six Thai staff, Khun Lek is the smartest person. She participates in meetings, she asks questions and she disagrees with me. I truly respect her. On the other hand, I have five less accomplished people working with me. They do not understand me at all. I doubt if they know what they're doing.''

Peter probes. ``How do you judge the understanding of your staff?''

Joe answers. ``If they smile and remain silent, I think they don't understand me. In fact, I think it's nonsense to smile without any reason. If they really understand me, either they should summarise, or ask questions to clarify. It's impossible that people can think the same or that they understand me exactly all the time.''

Peter suggests, ``Joe, you're falling into a common trap among expat managers in Thailand. You judge people on assertiveness and English communication skills. You think that quiet Thais are less `intellectual'.What about Khun Lek's work performance?''

Joe replies. ``I think she is doing okay. I see her only in the meetings. She presents all the work. I assume that she has done the work, otherwise other Thai colleagues would complain that she's stealing the credit.''

Peter argues. ``Again, you haven't seen her doing the work. The only place that you meet her is at meetings. You know Thais do not like confrontation. Let's assume that Lek steals the credit from her team. The team will not confront her, particularly if she is an assertive person.

``Another point is about Thais smiling. In your country, people are more `rational'. They are supposed to have a reason to explain each behavioural trait including a smile. But Thai society puts much emphasis on relationships. They are nice people, who always harmonise with each other. They have their own reasons to smile. They want to create a friendly atmosphere in the workplace. In fact, you should be happy when your staff are happy. They will be much more productive if they have good emotions in the office.''

At another restaurant, opposite the one where Joe and Peter are dining, the five Thai staff are having lunch together. They are discussing the same issue but from a different perspective.

``I don't like Lek,'' says dej, one of the staff members. ``She does nothing and she takes all the credit. She's skilful at English presentations, and uses her thick face to speak out most of the time in the meeting room.''

Naree shares this opinion. ``I've been thinking about Lek for some time. My initial reaction is like Dej _ man-sai. Nevertheless, I think Joe told us since the day he arrived that he wants us to be more assertive, to participate and ask questions. I think what Lek does is in line with Joe's expectations. In contrast, we operate in the opposite way. What we should do is reclaim our credibility from Lek and change our working approach to suit our boss's requirements.''

Dej argues, ``But it's hard for me. I am what I am for 30 years. How can I possibly change my behaviour?''

Naree replies, ``I think we can change but we have to change from the inside out. I think we should expand our belief system. We should still hold Thai values and at the same time adopt modern management values about openness and assertiveness. I think if Lek can do it, we all can do it. But we should get a better result since we are already performing our jobs well. It's just a matter of style of work that we need to modify.''

Source: The Bangkok Post Newspaper dated May 9, 2005
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catapekin · Cohort Joined: 11 May 2005 Posts: 146 Location:

The story sounds familiar, the majority of the Chinese workers are similar to those Thai workers. I don't know about international companies with expat supervisors, the international company I work for has Chinese bosses and they Do Not like people speaking out. Being proactive in meetings is acceptable and often encouraged, but to make open objections? you gotta be kidding.

Pol_Pot · Plebian Joined: 31 May 2005 Posts: 81 Location:

Impress your boss, not your co-workers.

Think this carefefully. If you live and work in a collective, supporting everyone, your friends are your boss. Work hard and impress your friends and family.

Wake up to yourselfes. You are looking for a "utopia" that does not exits.

Some of you people think too much and become bad intelectuals. I to this day still agree that intelectuals should learn the basics of your society and live at least a year in the rice-fields.
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"I am proud to be born Khmer"

Wocca · Scribe Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 970 Location:

Comrade Pol Wave

You seem to like this word "intelellectual". Is this connected somehow with year zero or S21?
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Pol_Pot · Plebian Joined: 31 May 2005 Posts: 81 Location:

Wocca · Scribe Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 970 Location:

Some people are born to lead. Others to follow occasion

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Pol_Pot · Plebian Joined: 31 May 2005 Posts: 81 Location:

Wocca · Scribe Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 970 Location:

There are many websites and many sides to Wocca. We must not become complacent over any success. We should guard against subjectivism, Comrade Pol Shocked

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Pol_Pot · Plebian Joined: 31 May 2005 Posts: 81 Location:

Manu-Thamai Wocca;

I know English is not my 1st language, but I try hard to be good, Thank you, I get your little joke.