TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Embracing cultural differences: A tale of two corporate sherpas
Navigating the Indonesian business world presents an opportunity to combine age-old customs and values with contemporary tools and methodologies, which can be approached from either side of this spectrum.
Change Size
According to some Indonesian tech talents, working abroad gave them exposure to a different corporate environment that included nondiscrimination, good working conditions and a flexible office culture. (Unsplash/Scott Graham) (Unsplash/Scott Graham)
I
n the world’s fourth most populous country, home to 280 million people across 17,000 islands and a 54,000-kilometer coastline representing a mix of 1,340 recognized ethnic groups speaking more than 700 living languages, the business scene has its own groove.
It has a blend of old-school traditions, characterized by a high power distance index and low individualism, and new-school vibes derived from individualist projection, lower uncertainty avoidance and a much less hierarchical environment.
Two tales emerge from this backdrop: one describing a spirited Indonesian professional pushing boundaries, and the other a Westerner striving to find his footing in these rich layers of dos and don’ts. Together, they shed light on the delicate dance of balancing traditional values and modern imperatives.
In the 12-million-strong crowded city of Jakarta with its bold tall buildings, modern urban artifacts and constant buzz of city life, Tini, a seasoned middle manager at a leading tech conglomerate, confronts a unique dilemma.
She was recently enamored by Francesca Gino's Rebel Talent, a seminal work that celebrated nonconformists, a fabric woven from tales of rebel talents who were not just characterized by their defiance but driven by a profound philosophy: an insatiable yearning to challenge the ordinary and venture into the uncharted, as well as an unwavering commitment to lifelong learning.
Tini does not have to look too far to find such a rebel in her very own team: Tono is a spirited young leader whose zeal is both infectious and at times, intimidating. But for Tini, the real challenge is to harmonize the vibrant energy of Tono's rebel traits with the convoluted symphony of Indonesian corporate culture, deeply rooted in centuries-old traditions and values.
Tono, with his relentless pursuit of the new, often finds himself at loggerheads with time-honored adat (customs). He is not one to be bogged down by customary practices. For him, embracing the latest technological advancements and agile frameworks is second nature.
