Your boss has given you an important project with a set deadline. In the days that follow, would you prefer if your boss touch base with you periodically or would you rather your boss frequently drop by your desk to check on your progress and direct your every move? No doubt most people’s first inclination […]
Do Malaysians Like To Be Micromanaged? Read More »
As a foreigner working in Malaysia, have you found yourself in the situation below? It’s 6pm and you see your colleague get up from his seat. Instead of leaving the office though, he heads toward the pantry to pour himself another cup of coffee and stays on for another hour or two before calling it
Work-Life Balance: How Late Is a Malaysian Expected to Work? Read More »
In the workplace, it is essential to have trust. Mutual respect and trust form the foundation for strong workplace relationships. However, in a workplace where employees and employers may come from different backgrounds, cultural differences may be misunderstood and foster distrust. One such cultural difference is that of the way people view honesty. Some may
Honesty-The Malaysian Cultural Perspective Read More »
When I was very young, one of the most difficult things I had to learn was how to correctly address my multitude of aunts. In Chinese culture, there are specific titles for each family member. I couldn’t just call them Aunt Jane or Aunt Mary. I had to learn the Hokkien words for aunts number
Malaysian Hierarchy-Learned at Home Read More »
Imagine this scenario: You are in a meeting. There has been a call for anyone present to offer suggestions or their thoughts on what has just been discussed. Silence descends as no one speaks up. Why does this happen? Is it due to shyness? Are Malaysians shy culturally as a whole? Shyness is defined as
Are Malaysians Culturally Shy? Read More »
Which approach to organization do you prefer — an equality-based one or a hierarchy-based approach? Most people would likely prefer an egalitarian approach. However, what we prefer cannot change what our society is. So what we’re going to look at today is this question: Are Malaysians more hierarchical or egalitarian? This is an important question,
Do You Prefer a Boss or a Leader? Read More »
The first thing you need to know about Malaysian culture is that their really isn’t just one culture. There are at least three in Peninsula Malaysia or as it’s usually referred to, West Malaysia, and several tribal cultures in East Malaysia located within the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo.
Malaysian Culture 101 Read More »