Ladies, watch out

It is time for me to make some conclusion on my job of the last 3 months. Objective or subjective, I am only on representative of myself and do not care what others talk or comment.

Thanks to my direct supervisor that I have been learning to be careful at each job I do at the office. I believe in what I am seeing each day that she is responsible, careful and a very nice person to everyone. She is so amicable that you will not feel unease at the office. The way she talked about the mistakes would never embarrass you. Her outstanding work records could serve as a role model to encourage better and more efficient performance from each one of us. One doesn't need to rub shoulders with her for a long time to get to know her mild and gracious personality, the fine attitude, overflowing charisma as an effective team leader, and that she has what it takes to be the best team leader in the whole local group.

Well, I've said enough about her virtue that she deserves. But there is this one and only thing that I don't feel comfortable with, that is, the office politics or anything. Maybe that is not the right description and I fail to appropriately word their current actions. My impression about the HK colleagues has been so negative that I cannot believe I am in a team with them. What is their work style? I can tell you briefly in a few words and give you a case in point. Whenever there is a mistake found, they would make no bones about their presumption that the mistake is committed by us in Panyu office. And then, to the surprise of all, they immediately send an email, copying the email to every relevant line manager and vice president, making it public, a little like paparazzi spreading rumors and gossips. Even a minor mistake such as misspelling or misinputting a staff's name would not prevent them from going public. Such a mistake isn't made by me though; I would not have made a fuss over it if I were in their place. So hard for me to figure out what was going through their mind. What they do give me the impression that they do this with ulterior purpose to their own good. Or are they trying to hint us of their superiority? If it is only for the purpose of driving us to be more careful, I would accept it, with willingness. This case alone is only a tip of the iceberg. Then, it crosses my mind that perhaps it is the miniature of the fierce and cut-throat office politics. By the way, recently a HK colleague got promoted and congrats.

The first day I came to the office and received welcome note from office heads expanding on the family culture of this company. Then there arrived an email from a noted and amiable vice president telling us not to feel embarrassed at making mistakes so long as we learned a lesson from it. Mistakes are unavoidable, which is true. When mistakes occur - if it is not as serious as to have far-fetched impact - if it is only a minor one and our work is not affected, could you please kindly point it out for us to make amendments? That happens from time to time and it has eventually resulted in bad consequence. Followed is the effort by Panyu colleagues to catch mistakes and make it public to the HK office. I am with the impression that Panyu colleagues do not do such things for revenge or anything. Obviously everyone is so afraid of mistakes that we counter check and cross check the job time and again to make sure it is entirely correct. However serious we are, mistakes do occur from time to time, leading to even worse mutual impression between the headquarter office and Panyu office. Each day, we feel there is only one step away to be criticized. Thus we should work twice hard, twice smart and be twice careful.

But would that really generate prominent work performance? The answer might, and must be YES. Nevertheless, flip side has never taken such a beating. Negativity does come in the wake of each crash. Complaints and gossip, then, are never unusual. So is the One Family corporate culture getting nowhere in this local office.

For my part, such reactions turn me away. Not a leader though, it doesn't mean I am in no position to voice my opinion. Honestly I don't feel pleased at seeing those people finding mistakes for each other and making them public for purpose. What is in it for you? If this continues to evolve for the worse, who's going to benefit and who disbenefit? Basked in such environment, would we, one day, become so utilitarian and "helpful"?

I don't care about those mistakes. Nor do I care what is going on in that matter.

I don’t care about the way you do to each other. Nor do I care about the hidden purpose behind. So long as I am not involved, I am ok with anything.