I was reading the comments on this Reddit thread on the culture that pushes Singaporeans to work overtime (OT). The third highest ranked comment says:
This is one of the problems that I feel the government could do something more about.
WHAT? Why is a post imploring the Big G "to do something" about OT culture upvoted so highly at 320 points? I am aghast because when did we grow to rely so heavily on the government to intervene in every aspect of our life? So let me put it out there first. If you need larger than yourself to dictate a change in your work-life habit, then you do not belong in my company.
And here is my point – people do not change, unless the concept of ever-change is built into their DNA. For example
An adult who is not able to code is never going to be able to code proficiently, even if they try. Unless that individual has been a lifelong-learner. And I have met one such individual who got as good as one of the veterans because he has change built into his personality. Do you know why I know? He uprooted himself from Malaysia to study in Singapore. Then he moved to Vietnam for his career. The only constant about Cedric is change itself. And that is why he was able to pick up programming and get good at it.
Most people, however, are not Cedric
Since I was a boss, no one has ever changed. The good ones got better. The average ones got better because iterative grinding at my company has led to consistent X% growth. But that is just performance at work.
Other things matter; Such as:
- The chronic late-comers will stay a late-comer forever.
- The ones with poor attitude at work will retain their shitty attitudes forever.