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Accountability in the Indonesian
context
(The Jakarta Post, 13 September 2006)
Many Indonesians prefer a collective rather
than individualistic approach. This is born out
of the notion of kebersamaan or togetherness.
Like in any team that has an assortment of experiences,
skill sets, behaviors, personal circumstances
or educational qualifications there tends to
be a feeling of mengayomi or protectiveness toward
the weak and even kasihan or pity toward the
underperformers. Underpinning these traits is
a deep conviction in rasa hormat or respet for
basic human dignity. External social and religious
practices also reinforce some of these attitudes.
Indonesians also believe in the concept of fairness
or keadilan. In the management context fairness
requires the demonstrable adherence to certain
practices. First, personal adoption of what is
being preached. For example, talking of meritocracy
and showing signs of nepotism disillusions people
and over time they adopt a "why bother attitude".
Second, there must be clear, consistent and open
communication channels.
A third important issue regarding the enforcement
of accountability is the chance to redeem. Mistakes
will happen and in an upredictable and volatile
operating environment like Indonesia often well
laid plans or intentions quickly go awry. In
such situations people expect sensitivity and
tolerance. These might require a reassignment
of roles, rotation, closer supervision, training,
counselling and corrective roadmaps or blueprints.
All these can highlight fairness and if after
this reasonable firmness is imposed then it will
not be resented.
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