Indonesian Management, Style and Characteristic

Karissha Fritzi Della / FT 1

Indonesian leadership characteristics were examined in three studies, using mixed methods:

1. Characteristics of Indonesian leadership are focus on group discussions with Indonesian managers and staff.

Leadership Style

2. Indonesian leadership has two component such as;

a) Involves a more local modernization dimension that ranges from (traditional) benevolent paternalism to (modern) transformational leadership.

b) More universal person- versus team-oriented leadership dimension

Indonesian Management

• Cross cultural management in countries like Indonesia must be done with high awareness of the strict protocols and rituals in Indonesian culture.

• Inter-cultural sensitivity the key to successful business management.

• Management in an ethnically diverse region such as Indonesia can be tricky.

• Concept of “Bapakism” is approach to management in Indonesia.

“Bapak” means father “Bapakism” refers to Indonesian to feel respect

to superiors. The manager assumes the superior role and

pushes the subordinates towards a mutual goal.

•To better manage the employees in such a multi-cultural work environment, a manager must ensure that individual interests are not neglected in a bid to fulfill group goals.

•The manager must understand that everyone is different, and  the delegation of tasks should be done after careful examination of employees’ abilities.

•This will reduce under-performance and prevent anyone from feeling inadequate.

•Failure and under-performance can cause long term loss of confidence in an employee.

•In Indonesia, the consensus forming approach in team decision making can be time consuming.

•Managers are thus entrusted with the additional responsibility to encourage their team subordinates to participate and have a role in decision making.

•Patience and an unbiased approach are a must for any manager to maintain harmony in their teams.

Being a Manager in Indonesia

To ensure successful cross cultural management in Indonesia, you need be aware of the strict protocols and rituals that exist.

When managing in Indonesia, it is important to keep in mind that each person has a very distinct role within the organization, and maintaining that role helps to keep order.

The Role of a Manager

In Indonesia, as in other hierarchical societies, managers may take a somewhat paternalistic attitude to their employees. They may demonstrate a concern for employees that goes beyond the workplace. This may include involvement in their family, housing, health, and other practical life issues.

Approach to Change

Indonesia’s intercultural adaptability and readiness for change is developing all the time. Indonesia is seen to have a medium tolerance for change and risk. It is important for innovations to have a track record or history noting the benefits if they are to be accepted and implemented.

Failure in Indonesia causes a long-term loss of confidence by the individual as well as by others. Because of this attitude, intercultural sensitivity is going to be required, especially when conducting group meetings and discussing contributions made my participating individuals.

Decision MakingThe culture in Indonesia is very relationship

and group-oriented, so a strong emphasis is placed on maintaining harmony and proper lines of authority in the workplace. The manager makes decisions and accepts responsibility for work performed by subordinates. The middle manager may consult with subordinates before reaching a decision, although it is more likely that he will confer with trusted advisors or relatives.

To ensure successful cross cultural management, you will need to bear in mind the importance of people in the office maintaining the proper behavior relative to their position. For instance, it would be inappropriate for a manager to make copies or move a piece of furniture because these are tasks that lower level people do. To engage in behavior beneath you would lower your esteem in the office.

Boss or Team Player?

•If you are working in Indonesia, it is important to remember that honor and reputation play an important role. The risk becomes amplified in a team or collaborative setting. When meeting together and moderating ideas, intercultural sensitivity is necessary. It is important to qualify ideas that are raised in a gentle manner, protecting the reputation of those bringing up ideas, so no one is shamed.

Cross cultural management will be more effective if you understand the importance of personal relationships. They are crucial to conducting business and are based on respect and trust. It takes time to develop a comfortable working relationship and you will need patience and perseverance.

Communication and Negotiation Styles

Indonesians are non-confrontational. It is rare for them to overtly disagree, although this is beginning to change in the managerial ranks. Decisions are reached by the person with the most authority but reaching that decision can be a slow process

OPINION

Concept of “Bapakism” on management in Indonesia make people in many cultures in Indonesia can respect one to another. This concept works when subordinates could feel respect to their manager and could work together as a team and towards their goal. In order to use this concept, managers also must know that every people have different ability. When their employees have loss of confidence and their performance didn’t maximum, managers must learn to motivate them. Managers also can appreciate their employees’ good work. Between managers and employees also have being open. On discussion or meeting, they should share their opinion or critics to avoid misunderstandings.

Indonesian management style is different with western management style. Indonesian focus on group discussion between managers and employees. They discuss problem together and shared opinion until find a solution or achieve their goal. Different with western management style, which is appreciate individual work. That means if you work hard, you will achieve the best result.

Conclusion

Indonesian has own concept or style of management. This concept is adjusted with culture and characteristic of Indonesian people. Characteristic of Indonesian management is focus on group discussion to achieve a goal together.

Recommendation

We should ready to be a manager because manager has big responsibility to their company. Manager is people who make the decision that important to their company. They also must give a good example to their subordinates so that they can respect their manager and do their duties in a properly manner. Manager who also give motivation and advice to their subordinates for increase their performance.