Access Indonesia’s Post

For the Indonesian 79th Independence Day, we reflect that our freedom is the driving force of our 𝗱𝗮𝘆-𝗱𝗮𝘆 in the modern Indonesia today. This daily post is part of the series to relate how this Freedom empowers us to make choices, express ourselves, and rise to our fullest potential. Each of us shares a word to describe how this freedom means to us individually, in one word. 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 "Empowerment is the foundation of freedom 💡. It’s the permission we give ourselves and others to rise, lead, and create. ✨ When we empower ourselves, we unlock new levels of growth and innovation.  ✨ When we empower others, we build stronger, more collaborative teams" - 𝗦𝗿𝗶

A corporate idol is an overemphasis and absolutizing of an admirable cultural trait. Each culture's emphases will probably have some beneficial influences on work as well as harmfully distort it. This week, we're going to discuss three types of corporate idols and the potential problems they have with work. Idols of Traditional Cultures: make idols out of social stability and the good of the whole over the rights of the individual. This has a major impact on business practices. The book uses the example of Japan, which is largely still a traditional culture. In Japan, it isn't acceptable for workers to move from company to company to find a better salary. It also isn't acceptable for companies to lay off workers to sustain profits. There can be some benefits to this; however, it can also cause problems. Idols of Modern Cultures: modern society shifted to being more focused on the individual (idolizing yourself). In this society, productivity and efficiency are higher than in traditional societies; however, it came at a cost. In many situations business practices have declined -- more dangerous situations, people treated as "machines", etc. Idols of Postmodern cultures: "means-without-an-end" idolatry where technology, uncertainty, and the market have become the idols. In a postmodern society, people can't agree about "ends" or goals for the human race, so they resort to "means" or techniques. This has had a big impact on the fields of media, entertainment, and marketing. The major problem with postmodern cultures is deception, fraud, and self-interest actions. As societies adopt postmodernism, Christians might have a hard time and find themselves swimming against the very strong currents of the corporate idols of society. This is because Christians have a deeper understanding of human well-being and are focused on more than oneself. #EveryGoodEndeavor #faithdriven #faithbased #work #problems #problemswithwork #brokenworld #idols #idolatry #corporateidol #workculture 

As a woman and an immigrant, I often reflect on the unique challenges we face in today's world. It’s essential to shed light on these experiences, as they not only shape our journey but also highlight the resilience we possess. If you believe the world is a hostile place for women, you have no idea what it’s like to be both a woman and an immigrant. It’s hard to ignore how differently people treat you—either because you’re a woman, leading them to think you’re “not smart enough,” or because of your accent. When you struggle to express yourself or find the right words in a second language, people often judge you harshly, questioning your intelligence. Imagine seeing your ideas or work appropriated by someone else, receiving validation simply because it was articulated by a man or a native speaker. You might think, “Work harder, woman!” and while I agree that hard work is essential, it's often the only option we have, especially after leaving our comfort zone—our families, our countries—to start anew without knowing a single word of the language. Learning from scratch and fighting to survive has been our reality. Survival was, and still is, our only option. I want to acknowledge all the struggles and achievements that often go unnoticed. Let's remind ourselves and each other that we are strong, we are intelligent, and we are still here. Together, let’s continue to uplift one another, recognizing the strength in our shared experiences. I hope everyone can find strength in the overwhelming challenges we face and understand that each day is just another battle to conquer. And we will win, because survival is our only option. #manifest

Forgiveness Everyone makes mistakes. And that is human. Some mistakes are bigger if committed in a public or professional capacity. Being a member of the legal profession, I see how there is not much room for error in the midst of the onerous responsibilities we undertake. I am not justifying the errors professionals make. I ask myself whether I want to be in a profession which exercises such rigour. People do not want to committ mistakes voluntarily. If you consider and understand the unique personal circumstances people find themselves in, you can understand why they err. There is no space often for such reasons and circumstances when punishment is met out. It does sound sad and unfair. But that is the way of life, it seems. If we hold such very high standards, then we must also create a Singaporean culture of compassion, acceptance and display graciousness to these men and women. Bashing up such "offenders" is cleatrly not the way and it would be a shame to live in such a society. We would expect the same from others when our loved ones or ourselves are in such situations.

Finland. Part 10. A concession or doubling down. I hear a lot about negative experiences in Finland. I had some negative experiences in the beginning too. Some were justifiably bad. Whilst many others which seemed bad at the time were not. A lesson I have learnt whilst living in Finland, is that ‘caring’ can be misconstrued. We have all heard people say ‘I don’t care’ as a rebuttal to a situation in defiance and ironically soaked in caring. Do you know what I mean? 😉 Arriving as an immigrant, I came with attitude of being successful. My career, personal brand and my ego was on the line. Simultaneously I put the highest level of pressure on myself to succeed, I wanted to be proud, I wanted to be understood. However, I became hypersensitive. I found myself over-caring and over-analyzing. This led to some misinterpretations and a festering bias. A small example is the Nordic Silence. The feeling of silence was uncomfortable and in conversation culturally rude. On the other hand, there is a consideration of not obliging you to conversation and appreciating your space. I taught myself to care less (constructively), I realigned my care to myself, and I began to rationalize my thoughts after ‘questionable interactions’. I adopted the self-policy to always give the benefit of the doubt albeit extremely obvious situations. Since doing, so I have found myself progressing and wasting less time and energy on trivial matters that I now use on things that matter more to me. Have you found yourself in a similar position? Do you give a concession, or do you double down in ‘questionable’ situations? Keep strong! #Finland #Finnish #Immigrant #Integration #Culture #Culturalshock

How dare you don’t know Pippi Longstocking? That was the question that left me feeling like I’d missed the memo on some unwritten cultural checklist. As an immigrant from Brazil, my childhood was filled with the songs of Xuxa and the adventures of Monica's Gang, not the escapades of Pippi and her mismatched socks. I soon found myself in an ocean of comparisons, where knowing the latest German television personalities or something seemed to be the ultimate measure of integration.🛸 To me that sounds like being judge for not having PhD in Spongebob SquarePants studies. 🧽 😅 But jokes aside, this experience taught me a valuable lesson about the limitations of comparisons in our diverse multicultural world. 🌎 🎯 Success and worth cannot be neatly packaged into a checklist. Instead, they are found in the richness of our individual stories, the diversity of our perspectives, and the impact of our contributions. 🌌 In the end, our values and contributions should not be based on comparisons. Each member of our diverse team brings a unique background and perspective to the table, enriching our collective experience and broadening our opportunities for growth. 🚀 🛩️Coming to a new country takes courage—the courage to restart, to navigate new customs and languages, and to embrace the unfamiliar. So, let's celebrate the mosaic of cultures and experiences that make us who we are, and let's build an environment where everyone feels valued and accepted for their individuality.🎇 #divirsity #expects #inclusion

Random 2am thoughts: I saw a post from one of my connections here in LinkedIn, stating that Asians have a "Toxic" work culture of promoting hierarchical culture because we want to be called "mam" "sir" or "doctor". I wanted to just scroll down but the last statement was, "Don't be mad if I will just call you by your first name", and that just prompted me to share these thoughts. Our organization recently embraced the ‘Culture Wizard’ tool, a platform fostering cultural awareness. I’m privileged to contribute to this initiative, crafting activities that spark conversations around cultural dimensions. The “Hierarchy” dimension stands out, especially relevant to the Philippines—a country where hierarchical structures are not just prevalent but still celebrated. Practices in cultures like this include the use of honorifics such as “mam,” “sir,” and “doctor,”. This is a testament to our value system, where politeness and respect are important; which also influences how we communicate and interact with one another. I believe that this system of addressing individuals (using honorifics such as mam sir or doctor) is not inherently negative; rather, it is a cultural norm that signifies politeness and respect. Whether such practices need to change depends on the context and the evolving cultural dynamics. In some professional and social settings, maintaining these formalities can be seen as a way of upholding traditional values. However, in other contexts, especially in more modern or international environments, there may be a move towards more egalitarian ways of interaction. Ultimately, the appropriateness of these customs can be determined by the preferences of the people involved and the specific cultural environment they are operating in. It’s also important to consider that cultures are dynamic and can adapt over time to new norms and values. If there’s a collective desire for change towards a less formal mode of address, it could be gradually implemented while still respecting the cultural heritage of the Philippines. So to end this, I believe labeling these cultural practices as ‘toxic’ may lack sensitivity, considering the complexity of cultural nuances. We should approach such matters with a well-informed perspective that acknowledges and respects the diverse traditions and customs that shape societal interactions. P. S. I call some of my closest friends at work "Mam" and "Sir" when we're in the office but call them "sis" or "friend" outside. 😊

Meet the "The Destined One": The New Face of Resilience in 2024 Inspired by the game Black Myth: Wukong, the "Destined One" has emerged as a powerful persona in China’s digital landscape. This figure embodies resistance and resonates with those striving for control in their lives amid modern work challenges. Who is it? The "Destined One" represents young white-collar workers who feel destined to their roles yet seek empowerment and self-expression. It’s a way to find humor in their circumstances and connect with others facing similar struggles. Why it matters? By tapping into the "Destined One," brands can craft more relatable content, build community, and engage with a workforce eager for empowerment and meaningful interactions. Let’s explore how this mindset can shape our strategies in 2024! #blackmyth #wukong #CommonResearch #ChinaInsight #DestinedOne #黑神话悟空 #OnlineGame

In Japan, the word "hai" means “yes”, however its usage goes beyond simple agreement. Especially in formal contexts such as the workplace, saying a direct "no" is often considered impolite or rude. In Japanese culture, to avoid quarrelling is a way to maintain harmony: Japanese people prefer that we change our opinions without being forced. This respectful, non-confrontational approach causes them to rarely say "no" directly. In the workplace, this cultural difference can create quite a few misunderstandings. Therefore, in today's post, let's take a look at the do’s and don’ts in this context, in order to respect Japanese culture and tradition, as well as to avoid making mistakes in the working environment. #HiLex #DosAndDonts #JapaneseCulture