Yvette and babelinda came by to visit Tuesday, and talk invariably turned to what's happened after we left. I'm still feeling a little indignant over what happened to babelinda when she called niang2 to send new year greetings. Instead of something encouraging (e.g. babelinda is brave to venture forth to shanghai to work) what n2 said sounded like a series of set-downs. Man, are we delusional or what!
The incident left me wondering if it's an Asian mentality to tear people down instead of building them up. The Asian bosses I've worked with thus far, with the exception of Bee and Si, tend to hold back praises and encouragement. They treat doing a job well as something that's expected of you -- of course it is expected, but it doesn't hurt to give us a pat on the shoulder or an email to say 'good', 'well done!' or 'thank you'.
So you can imgine how good I felt over here at CM when every initiative I suggested, and tasks completed are met with words of thanks and praises. It makes me feel really good, that my contribution/ effort really counts. It's also a bit pressurizing when your boss tells your other regional office colleagues how likeable you are, and tout you as an expert in this and that, ahead of your visit, and having the glowing comments repeated to you. It's quite a lot to live up to, but it also motivates me to prove myself. I told myself I mustn't disappoint my superiors.
How could you not be inspired when you have bosses who believe in you? As I've told some of you, it's liberating, and a little scary at first, not to have someone breathing down your neck, or hampering you from making improvements. I remember compulsively sending back my drafts for approval those first few weeks out of habit. I'm trying to get used to the freedom here, understand the IT restrictions as well, and work around some of those rules cast in stone.
It is a culture shock moving from an Asian to an European management. But in some ways, bureaucracy still exists. The difference is I don't feel stifled here.
So, babe, gravitate towards positivity, as Gladys put it in her comments to the previous post. Look forward and forge on, for you have many more others who will lift you up when one set you down. May you spread your wings wider and fly higher.
