21 December 2009

Is Your Boss a Source of Inspiration or a Source of Stress?

 

This question just popped out of my mind after few hours had passed since my boss came from a week of business trip outside the country. I had the courage to ask some of my colleagues about this question. There’s no point of asking that obvious question, remarked one of my colleagues. The resounding answer therefore is stress. Let me clarify that there will never be an intention of picking or in anyway to degrade my boss. I have the highest respect to my boss since I joined the company. My intention here is to get ideas from other work experiences whether from other countries, cultures or any background. The ideas that will help us not necessarily to look for other great working environment or workplaces but perhaps to help our existing workplaces to become less stressful environment. Moving out to a different workplace will be our last resort if you see there is no hope of improvement.

Stress will always be part of our life but too much stress can cause health problems. Stress may also come from your co-workers with some annoying attitudes. Verbal discussions which can turn into noise pollutions in an open environment will definitely affect your productivity at work.

I’ve been working here in Singapore for more than 2 years already to a Marine Engineering and Consultancy firm. This is my first and only company so far since I came from the Philippines, my home country. Being the only Filipino from an Indian dominated company was a challenge for me during my first few months. Well there were few local Singaporean colleagues there as well, just 3 of them. Every time our boss goes for a business trip or if he’s not around, the mood is relaxed. This does not mean that we take our time to non productive tasks. Now, let me placed myself in my boss shoes or any business owner. I fully understand that the goal of every company is to generate consistent profits or hit their monthly targets. My question is how can you inspire your subordinates or your team to hit their realistic targets without causing too much stress to the employees? How can a boss be so confident that even if he leaves for a business trip, the employees are still inspired and motivated to perform their tasks at their own time?

My work experience here in Singapore is very different from my previous work in the Philippines. I had been to Japanese, US and local firms and most of the companies there had teambuilding events like sports fest, an outdoor trip to beaches, Christmas parties, karaoke’s, and anniversary events. Wow, I missed the fun of interaction with different co-workers. Here, let me see…hhhmm…oh I remember we ate our lunch out to a good restaurant which only happened once in a year. That’s all then back to work. I remember in my first few months that I even worked on a holiday. Normally I got double pay back in the Philippines but not here. Overstaying at work seemed to be a regular sight while office neighbours had gone home. Please don’t interpret me that I am whining because I know a friend that moved out of companies 3 times in just 2 years.

Again, my motivation here is how can we help improve our present situation or other with similar challenges in their workplace? Another reason why I’m asking you some of your experiences is that I have never talked to my boss regarding this kind of issue. I have other issues as well like I haven’t been invited for a performance evaluation since I started working here. Ok, that’s a totally different topic. I am not sure if the small size of our company of not more than 20 people is a limitation but I don’t want to look that way. Looks like my boss had a lot of roles being the businessman, sales, hiring manager, purchasing, technical head (even if we had 2 managers – for engineering and for research and development). Did I miss anything?

I will really appreciate your inspiring experiences so please leave you comments below both employers and employees.