Derek Toh

Apparently people don’t browse Linkedin during the weekends or holidays. If you’re one of the few who do (like me), give this post a like so we know who you are!

Or comment on what you’re looking for when you’re browsing Linkedin on a weekend.

#holidays #linkedin

The reason I rarely talk about passion and having meaningful work is because this is not so straightforward for most people.

Most jobs are not exciting. They are just routine things that businesses need to get done and will pay someone a salary to do it.

And the obsession with chasing “meaning” has led a lot of people to feel like they are not living a full life.

But having meaning in your work can be as simple as providing for your family. Or being a contributor to the larger mission of your company. Or even just being a useful member of society.

It doesn’t have to be about changing the world.

If it is, great. If it’s not, it is still a great job to have. Certainly beats being unemployed.

So if you have a job, and you don’t hate it, don’t give yourself a reason to think it is any lesser.

Try bringing your best to your job, and its “meaning” may reveal itself to you.

WOBB has given Vaccination Leave for all our employees (including interns) getting vaccinated from COVID-19.

These are two additional days in the year for the two doses.

We encourage employers to be flexible with this, to remove barriers for your employees to take the vaccine.

On top of health reasons, there is a clear business case for this:
The more employees are vaccinated, the less likely you will have a positive case in your workplace. Costs go down, productivity goes up.

It is only a small gesture, but sends a big positive signal.

Stay safe and take care everyone.

When I was in London, I once told a local British man that my mother tongue was English, and he looked surprised.

My English was not at the level he expected for someone to say it’s their mother tongue.

Now I could get offended. Because “hey! I speak other languages, do you??”

But I can see why he would think that. My pronunciation was “Malaysian-influenced”.

So I smiled and said:
“Are you surprised?”

“Yes but I hope you don’t find that offensive.”

“Of course not. I do, however, speak 2 other languages.”

“Wow! Why is that?” We went on to have a conversation about why Malaysians speak many languages.

That’s how to create a bridge with someone different from you.

Instead, today it’s common for people to get easily and quietly offended in person, and then unleash their true feelings online. And the keyboard warriors start shouting at each other in the comments section.

Here’s what I think:
1) Don’t get easily offended, people see the world differently. You might think like them if you grew up the same way.
2) If you are offended, then talk directly. Maybe someone misunderstood. Maybe you don’t agree.
3) Move on with your life.

I typically stop at Step 1, my life is happier and more productive that way.

This is a better way to live together as a tolerant society.

“Don’t be stupid and work hard for the company. The company doesn’t care about you. Do the minimum required and look after yourself first.”

This is dangerous career “advice” because it puts people in an adversarial relationship with their own company. It’s you vs the company.

They subconsciously believe that if the company is winning, it must mean they are losing. And for them to win, the company has to lose. They are not “on the same team”.

This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Think about it:
How could our career flourish if our company is struggling?

Our relationship with our company is symbiotic.

If the company does well, it reflects well on us. If the company struggles, people will see that we were partly responsible for it. After all, a company is only as good (or bad) as its people.

I’m not suggesting we should sacrifice other important parts of our life for our work. But we should value our employers better and how our work contributes to the company’s success.

So the next time someone gives you this toxic advice, realise that this mentality is one of the most damaging mindsets for your long term career.

Our company wants us to succeed. Because that’s the only way the company succeeds. Our goals are aligned.