My life is a sum of my experiences and people who have shaped me - good and bad. While we all know that we impact others, it is a rare occasion where people take the time to communicate how someone has been the tipping point in their lives and/or careers. I don't love my job, which is why I admire those who are able to turn something they love into a career. I do, however, enjoy aspects of what I do, of which one is developing and mentoring people.
Since my arrival, I have constantly heard different renditions of executives who have had issues with middle management in Vietnam. I have witnessed many of these frustrations myself at clients and our own company. Based on my observations, I am convinced that it has to do with how individuals are developed. I once heard someone say that the source of issue is due to the education system here - students are asked for the right answer rather than their thoughts on a particular topic. I have been experimenting with my various engagement teams, challenging the status quo. Because I head up one of the functions, I am also able to experiment with that particular team with limited external influences from others. There have been a number of times where a staff member would push back and say that is not how it is done here.
When a senior came into my office and shut the door at the end of the day on Tuesday, I was bracing myself for some client or internal issue that I would have to resolve. So when she noted that she heard a rumor from one of the secretaries who heard it from an associate that I was leaving, I had to laugh at the office gossip. After quizzing her for details and whether this is senior management's way to fire me or to get leads on some great opportunity someone must be aware of for me to pursue, she said in a huff that my departure is not funny.
After sobering up, I realized from her body language that she was very upset. She noted that she had learned a lot in the last few months and is starting to really love the team, including those she had either struggled with in the past and/or had reservations about. She commented that she would have to look for a new job if I left as she did not want to go back to the old culture/management style, at which point I advised her that she should never make decisions based on what someone else does but rather look at her opportunities and career options.
Last night I went to a dinner for one of the other functions. Other than those that directly interact with me on engagements, others are usually shy about approaching the foreigner in the office. I was a bit surprised when one of the new managers sat down next to me to tell me that the office has changed a lot since my arrival in a very positive way and not with just my engagement teams.
Despite being initially intimidated by my review notes, he noted that it was the first time in his career that he had received constructive comments and was learning a lot that he could do on all his engagements. Perhaps his comments made me a bit vulnerable, but he was later able to convince me to do a karaoke duet with him. He also said that I should not work so hard. After I asked him why he thought I worked hard, it became apparent that he equated someone with a thin frame at my age to a workaholic - clearly he had too much beer at this stage in the night.
While many prefer to make a big splash, I prefer to be a skipping rock. A big object may make a big splash initially but it sinks quickly, and the water momentarily adapts and envelopes it. A skipping rock, on the other hand, continues to make ripples, which combined with other ripples, may result in waves and perhaps tsunamis.
Since my arrival, I have constantly heard different renditions of executives who have had issues with middle management in Vietnam. I have witnessed many of these frustrations myself at clients and our own company. Based on my observations, I am convinced that it has to do with how individuals are developed. I once heard someone say that the source of issue is due to the education system here - students are asked for the right answer rather than their thoughts on a particular topic. I have been experimenting with my various engagement teams, challenging the status quo. Because I head up one of the functions, I am also able to experiment with that particular team with limited external influences from others. There have been a number of times where a staff member would push back and say that is not how it is done here.
When a senior came into my office and shut the door at the end of the day on Tuesday, I was bracing myself for some client or internal issue that I would have to resolve. So when she noted that she heard a rumor from one of the secretaries who heard it from an associate that I was leaving, I had to laugh at the office gossip. After quizzing her for details and whether this is senior management's way to fire me or to get leads on some great opportunity someone must be aware of for me to pursue, she said in a huff that my departure is not funny.
After sobering up, I realized from her body language that she was very upset. She noted that she had learned a lot in the last few months and is starting to really love the team, including those she had either struggled with in the past and/or had reservations about. She commented that she would have to look for a new job if I left as she did not want to go back to the old culture/management style, at which point I advised her that she should never make decisions based on what someone else does but rather look at her opportunities and career options.
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| Group karaoke |
Despite being initially intimidated by my review notes, he noted that it was the first time in his career that he had received constructive comments and was learning a lot that he could do on all his engagements. Perhaps his comments made me a bit vulnerable, but he was later able to convince me to do a karaoke duet with him. He also said that I should not work so hard. After I asked him why he thought I worked hard, it became apparent that he equated someone with a thin frame at my age to a workaholic - clearly he had too much beer at this stage in the night.
While many prefer to make a big splash, I prefer to be a skipping rock. A big object may make a big splash initially but it sinks quickly, and the water momentarily adapts and envelopes it. A skipping rock, on the other hand, continues to make ripples, which combined with other ripples, may result in waves and perhaps tsunamis.
There you go, positive impact, small stone making big nip..ripples! :)
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