I REFER to the letter by Shankar Santhiram on “Being good citizens in the workplace” (NST, June 20).
His observation that we expect more from our organisations and colleagues than we are prepared to give is spot on.
For any organisation to be successful, there must be give and take. We cannot underestimate the interdependence among workers.
As part of a team, we need to play our roles professionally.
If one is more concerned about personal interests and how he can move ahead at the expense of others, the company or organisation would not operate effectively.
Office politics and personality clashes are common in many workplaces.
Having worked in Malaysia and New Zealand, I find that work attitudes are the same in both countries.
Although there are cultural differences in the way work is viewed, issues like backstabbing, putting down colleagues, unwilling to share ideas or holding grudges are prevalent in both cultures.
It’s human nature to want to compete and get ahead. But we must also consider the feelings of others.
As the writer pointed out, it’s not difficult to be a good citizen at work. It just requires commitment and a change in mindset. There are many successful companies where there is mutual respect for each other, openness and professionalism in work relationships.
More importantly, as with any work-related matter, it depends on the management of the organisation. Good leaders and managers create the right environment for good citizenship in the workplace.
SIVASUNDRAM NAMASIVAYAM
Kuala Lumpur