Ashes in the Light

As we are welcome 2019, it’s irresistible to not reflect and think about how far you have made it through 2018.

If you are reading this, give yourself a pat for the job well done.

This year was slightly bumpy for myself because of a transition I am going through. It was indeed an eye opener.

After having worked in relatively many places ever since I started my first job, I couldn’t help it but associate an organisation, or company to what seem to be the hottest this year, the Yanxi Palace Drama. Some of you, may have watched it. While some, haven’t had the time.

I’ve watched many Chinese Ancient Dramas, I particularly like Empresses in the Palace, and the new – Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace. I haven’t watched Yanxi Palace. This article isn’t a review about the drama. It’s about how our daily life are pretty much about fighting to stay alive like what the Empresses and Concubines do in our daily work.

In the show, we have various roles. I have listed them and associated them with the corporate profile of a company and their perspective.

• The Dowager – Chairman, Chairlady, President, CEO, Shareholders, Board of Directors, Corporate Office, Headquarters. They are so much to pay attention to, numbers, revenues, figures, staff welfare, they are pretty much info overloaded most of the time. Amidst all of they, they also seem to know what is going on internally within the team although they seem aloof to things.
• The Emperor – General Manager, Managing Director, Your reporting boss. They receive the directions from the owners, chairman, chairlady and they give some ideas and feedback for the rest of the HODs to work on.
• The Empress – Your #2 in line. Head of departments. They need to ensure, the information received are well received to give clear instructions to people and team for their to execute.
• The Concubines – Assistant Heads, Assistant Directors, Managers, Secretaries. Usually the ones that needs to do all the leg work and labour while the HODs delegate work.
• The maids & eunuchs – Admin Staff, Coordinators and any other 3rd party. Most people rely on them, and some may not see them as the most important people in the Team, when in fact, they are the most important people.

And in the show, there are different people with different characters and personality of their own. Just like the colleagues with you who hang out closely with you.

There will be characters of any roles above that I mentioned who are trying to fight and stay alive daily. Some are the good ones who help their team to achieve greater things in life together, encourages one another everyday, do things, buy things to cheer you up daily.

Being a fan of John C. Maxwell, there’s this particular quote from him that I think many leaders would have known of it.

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, shows the way. – John C. Maxwell

Then of course the bad ones, who plot things behind your back to gain the upper hands, or do good things only in the eyes of the Emperor (Bosses) for personal gain and benefit.

We also have a handful who just mind their own business as long as they get to keep their job, complete their task and never get involve in anything.

Having worked most of my 10years in a Hotel, I am sharing some scenarios based on a Hotelier’s context.

Scenario 1 – Morning Meetings

[Then] In the morning, the Emperors wakes up to attend and receive updates. In Chinese and the context of the show, we call it 早朝. In the show, you have rows of people, lining up in terms of their rank in the cabinet to report what is going on.

[Now] There are morning meetings that the HODs will attend to give the Emperor and update of the happenings the day before, the present and discuss some important matters that will affect the future.

Scenario 2 – Hosting VIPs

[Then] There are of course the entertainment and dinners for overseas leaders that the Emperor host for other Leaders from foreign lands. In Chinese and the context of the show, we call it 设宴.

[Now] And in our work context, are are entertainment with our clients or having our corporate nights to show appreciation to our important guest and clients.

Scenario 3 – The gossips and gathering in the office

[Then] In the show, there are the concubines who gathers at the Empress’s Palace for tea to gossip. In Chinese and the context of the show, we call it 请安聊天.

[Now] From time to time, you have some people gathered at the pantry or in your boss’s office to talk about things. And sometimes, they may not be work related. Just casual gossips.

Scenario 4 – Business Travel

[Then] The Emperor goes on a trip to visit the different village and see how is everyone in the village doing. To discuss and potential issues or opportunities. In Chinese and the context of the show, we call it 微服出巡.

[Now] You bosses goes on business trips to meet partners across the globe who are supporting you in the business aspects

At this stage you will be wondering, what is this article about?

The link to organisation culture

Integrity – There are characters in the show who remained as who they are right until their last breaths. This, are people in the office who remained who the are, in front of the Dowager, Emperor, Empress and everyone. C.S Lewis, a British writer has a quote that says..

Integrity – Is doing the right thing even when no one is watching.

These people in your office who are rigid not because they are not flexible. But because they are doing the right thing and they believe in doing it even without anyone watching them.

Happiness – I am sure you have colleagues who believe in having a happy work environment because they spend such long hours with each other in the team. But, how sure are you.. That they are happy? Having nasty colleagues at work, how do you cope?

Meanness is a sign or weakness, insecurity and lack of confidence. Remember, a strong person is a humble & kind person.

Having worked with HR practitioners for one year brings me to new light about how many effort is required to work on the workplace happiness. In the past, being happy and office culture wasn’t being paid much of attention. But as day and age changed, with Millennials in the workforce, workplace happiness is the focus.

To some, is having great Comps & Bens that attracts the employees. While some, is the office environment. And then some, are about the people.

Happiness drives productivity

Directions – At work, the directions will change, based on the market status, based on what’s going on in the economy. But the destination remains. However, most employee will appreciate is a clear direction that will not change the very next day or week once the first set is given.

It’s like in the army, where you give the soldiers a get of directions for marching, you cannot change them the minute you give one because the will be a messed and jumbled up.

It is the set of the sail, not the direction of the wind that determine which way to go.

Each individual has their own journey and pit stops in their company, and I am pretty sure you can relate to some of the things mentioned. How will 2019 be? How will you be like in 2019? Are there things you want to work on for a better office, a better self?

It’s not to late to start giving it a thought now.