(The Jakarta Post, 13 September 2006)
Many Indonesians prefer a collective rather than individualistic approach. This is born out of the notion of kebersamaan or togetherness. Like in any team that has an assortment of experiences, skill sets, behaviors, personal circumstances or educational qualifications there tends to be a feeling of mengayomi or protectiveness toward the weak and even kasihan or pity toward the underperformers. Underpinning these traits is a deep conviction in rasa hormat or respet for basic human dignity. External social and religious practices also reinforce some of these attitudes.
Indonesians also believe in the concept of fairness or keadilan. In the management context fairness requires the demonstrable adherence to certain practices. First, personal adoption of what is being preached. For example, talking of meritocracy and showing signs of nepotism disillusions people and over time they adopt a “why bother attitude”. Second, there must be clear, consistent and open communication channels.
A third important issue regarding the enforcement of accountability is the chance to redeem. Mistakes will happen and in an upredictable and volatile operating environment like Indonesia often well laid plans or intentions quickly go awry. In such situations people expect sensitivity and tolerance. These might require a reassignment of roles, rotation, closer supervision, training, counselling and corrective roadmaps or blueprints. All these can highlight fairness and if after this reasonable firmness is imposed then it will not be resented.
