Workplace Culture in Indonesia

Workplace Culture in Indonesia, and How is it Different from the West?

For many looking for the answer for how to incorporate in Indonesia, they may overlook the importance of understanding the day to day livelihoods of the people in the country. However, it is very important to do so. When you are in another country, you are expected to behave in a certain manner. Your employees are accustomed to specific ways, and understanding these ways helps you to understand your employees more. This also directly impacts your company’s success. And to help you with that, here are some workplace culture in Indonesia you should know about:

 

Indonesia Has a Diverse Culture, Which Will Reflect in the Workplace

We may generalize the behaviours of Indonesians in many ways, but none of them will be true for everyone. Indonesia is the fourth most populated country in the world and is generally welcoming to foreigners. Thus, there are people from every cultural, ethnic, racial, and religious background.

We can say that you will need to learn to deal with people once you are already here and try to understand them first-hand. Also, you need to be very flexible. There may be differences in opinion and way of behaviour inside your office, so you need to be very open-minded.

 

You May Need to Be More Subtle While Giving Instructions

In contrast to the west where people are direct in instructions, in Indonesia, these things are done with subtle directives. Telling people to do exactly what to do may be considered rude. This is not to say you shouldn’t give instructions at all. You may need to learn to use various verbal cues and diplomatic ways of putting things.

 

Employees Are Warier About Asking Questions

Sometimes, your subordinates may be a little uncomfortable asking you questions. While in the west it is a norm to be explicit with the questions, in Indonesia, employees may consider asking direct questions as challenging the authority’s command. Of course, this trend may not be seen in a more modern workplace, but the mental factor is still there. So, you will need to be very clear with your instructions the first time.

 

Solving Challenges in the Workplace is Through Everyone’s Involvement

It’s not just a business etiquette, but one of the perks of starting a business in Indonesia. You see, being a country with diversity, people have developed a consensus-oriented way of solving problems. You can expect every employee to be present in a meeting, and they will try to find solutions in a way that doesn’t offend anyone.

 

You Will Need to Be More Than a Boss

One of the most important aspects of the workplace culture in Indonesia is that people have emotional attachments with everything in the office. Thus, your employees will see you as a father figure than a boss. This is different to the western way of working, which in many cases, is strictly a give and take relationship. In Indonesia, you will be expected to understand each of your employees personally, and you will get your reward in terms of loyalty.

 

Office Relationships are More than Just Professional

In Indonesia, people don’t consider office relationships as strictly professional. Instead of colleagues, employees consider other members of the office as friends. Hence, your employees will be close with each other and reciprocate each other’s likes and complaints. This also means people aren’t only going to talk about work, even in very important meetings.

 

Conclusion

The best way to get the most out of your people in a workplace is by knowing them well. Those who aren’t very familiar with the workplace culture in Indonesia may see people as a little uptight and personal. However, the truth is that in Indonesia, people actually care about each other. They care about the ones around them, and they sincerely care about the company they are working for.

Are you looking to set up company in Indonesia? Worried about the long incorporation process? Well, you don’t need to because 3E Accounting is here to help. We are a corporate service provider that offers company incorporation services in Indonesia. Our professionals can offer you free consultancy regarding how you should approach incorporation for your business. You can contact us for more information.