Left over trauma from NS/Government workplace culture.

Basically, NS/Govt working culture used to be orders directed. You follow the guy on top, don’t ask questions. You ask question, rock the boat, point out inconsistencies and flaws, you kena fucked up by your superior.

Still learning how to unlearn this. This style of work doesn’t work in the real world where things are result orientated, not wait for superior orders.

Not gonna be a cake walk but trying to learn how to speak up more in meetings and such.

Is this a common thing? Or am I just slow in learning IRL working culture.

Netizens’ comments

Never thought it was a common thing but maybe 4 years of uni between NS and work allowed it to fade. How long were you there, man….

Not true though, you never bring up or highlight you will also kenna f. You just need to be tactful when you do so/how you do so and always cover yourself

I think it’s not really a NS/Government thing but i also won’t deny such cultures exist in the public sector. For myself, who mostly worked in the public sector, i’ve never felt that i was penalized or prevented from speaking up in any kind of setting.Of course, some things you just don’t say in meetings and are meant for more dedicated/specialised people. From the moment i stepped in, i was taught to first cover for yourself, then your colleagues – your team – your department – your company. What this means is if my manager is proposing something i don’t agree with in a meeting with other audiences outside for of his level, i’d make a note and bring it up to him privately after.Team dynamics and boundaries are important things to take care of. You do not want other teams to take note that you are superceding your manager/boss. Likewise, you do not want external vendors to witness internal arguments too – no matter how many different teams in a meeting, where external parties are present the teams need to stand as one company. EDIT: But this won’t be up to you to enforce…and i guarantee there will be some people who don’t care and just whack/smacktalk regardless of who’s present.I would make a suggestion in this context that you start with talking AFTER a meeting, where during you take down the points you wanted to have some discussion, with your peers and immediate superiors first. Eventually, your manager/superior should gradually be more comfortable with you leading discussions during the meeting itself.I think it’s a good trait to have and the public service needs more people who can carry discussions upwards. Whether or not management/stakeholders listen is one thing but we need to start somewhere.