Opinion | Speak Your Mind

Speak Your Mind: Workplace

Workplace is a complicated environment. Goals and ways of achieving them vary. How well do you cope with the changing work environment?

  • Gulf News
  • Published: 21:12 July 23, 2010

  • Image Credit: Gulf News

We have opened a page for robust debate among you. This page does not have a political stand and should be read in that spirit. We do not seek either to offend or to appease. We strive to present all points of view but expressed in a civil manner. Speak up and be heard on the following:

FOCUS: Workplace

  • Empowerment in the workplace is a myth in the region.
  • People who avoid conflict are often dumped with the most work.
  • The louder and cruder you are the higher you rise.
  • Most people try to hide their uselessness by blaming ineffective managers or organisations. 

Send us your arguments at readers@gulfnews.com. Please do send in your photographs if possible. The word limit is 150. We welcome all points of view, as long as they are within the bounds of civil discourse. We will edit for length and clarity, to accommodate as many voices as possible. You could also sound off below by clicking on the Post a Comment link.

Comments (4)

  1. Added 09:27 July 29, 2010

    I do agree - If you are quite the seniors will surely dump all the work on you. Therefore, make sure you draw the boundaries from the begining else you will be taken for a ride. Whatever challenging assignments you complete remember to discuss these with your line manager. It is important you make time with your boss for an open chat. If you work silently without bringing up the difficult times you have had in achieving your goals - then I bet you are a looser. Last but least have a positive attitute towards your job and collegues.

    Agnelo Rodrigues, Dubai, India

  2. Added 01:35 July 26, 2010

    It's all about balance. Do not be loud and crude, where fellow employees see you as a threat and they would all be the first to vote you out of the workplace. Also, do not be quiet and simply absorb everything in, then people will mistaken you as a push-over and will mercilessly dump all their work on you. Be assertive, and speak for yourself and at the same time keep yourself out of unnecessary politics that takes place within your workplace. Maintain the balance and you have saved yourself from pointless drama and being considered as "too-easy-going".

    Rinky, Toronto, Canada

  3. Added 12:29 July 25, 2010

    Empowerment in the workplace is not myth but some cases. In many successful companies it is not myth as the companies will eventually collapse if they fail to empower their employees. We will find internal politics in every Company and wrong people benefitted but overall good management empowers their employees and gives their due benefits. People who take more responsibilities and work more, naturally they get more work but hard work and honest will never go waste; it pays back later if not sooner. If not the same company in other Company, it is law of the nature. Therefore, all depends on the effective manager or organizations whether they can make their company a great place to work or not.

    Chuttugulla, Dubai, Afghanistan

  4. Added 00:04 July 24, 2010

    An Ineffective manager put off decision-making until they are comfortable or certain it's the right decision to make. Sometimes you just don't know until you make it. They often enlist others to attempt to gain a consensus. An Ineffective manager has no idea he is ineffective. In fact he thinks he is effective but if he were digging a hole he would continue to dig it deeper.

    Mathew Litty, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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