EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Managing in a global context is a constant challenge due to differences in culture,
values and beliefs. Miscommunication emerge due to difference in perceptions and
interpretations. Introducing mindfulness into this context does wonders beyond
creating awareness of the present situation and in this assignment, I would explore
my transformation after practicing mindfulness in my present role as an Assistant
Manager and how it has helped me in handling work related situations than span
across diverse contexts.
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Contents
Introduction……………………………………………………………….……………….4
Challenges of Managing Share Service team from
Philippines………………………………………………………………………..………..4
Cultural Challenges………………………………………………..……….4
Power distance…………………………………….………………………….5
Uncertainty avoidance….….…….…….………………………………..5
Long Term Orientation…………………………………………………….6
Lesson Learnt in “Mindfulness”………………………………………………6
Mindfulness Model………………………………………………………….………..7
Development of Mindfulness………………………….………………………8
Intra-personal……………………………………………………………………8
Inter-personal……………………………………………………………………9
Application of Mindfulness………………………………………………………9
Implication for me as a Manager………………………………………….10
References………………………………………………………………………..……..11
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Introduction
I am currently working as an Assistant Manager in the Finance Department of an MNC
company. As part of the job, I need to manage a shared services in Philippines as most of
the groundwork was outsourced to them. However, outsourcing the activities does not
include only financial cost but also poses other intangible cost like longer time spent on
communication, training and rework. The challenges faced are mainly due to cultural
differences and it resulted in frustration and getting results are delayed.
The topic of mindfulness was first introduced to me via the module Fundamental of
Leadership via a YouTube video i“Search Inside Yourself” where the presenter shares about
how mindfulness can do wonders in transforming oneself to be aware of the present,
including be mindful of the situation that is happening around us so that we are able to
handle any critical situation. This applied both to personal and also at work.
Challenges of Managing Share Service team from Philippines
Due to difference in our values, cultures and beliefs, managing a team locally itself can pose
challenges but managing a team offshore with only communication via email or tele-
conversation create an uphill task for me. This is due the reason below:
Cultural Challenges
One of the biggest challenges facing from managing the Philippines team will be the cultural
differences. Figure 1 highlights the key differences between the Philippines culture and
Singapore. Three challenging areas are of power distance, long term orientation and
uncertainty avoidance between the Philippines versus the Singapore team.
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Figure 1: Hofstede’s 6 cultural dimensions (2015)ii
Power distance
At a score of 94, The Philippines is a hierarchical society. This means that subordinates
expect to be told what to do and the ideal boss is a benevolent autocrat. This is where I have
challenge with the team. Often, when things have gone wrong and I wanted an open
discussion in order to understand the root cause to rectify the problem, I do not get a direct
