I have worked with some of the brightest minds and most talented people in the industry. However, there is one issue that keeps cropping up time and time again, and it’s time we address it head-on: the lack of responsibility among Pakistanis.
Let’s face it, folks. We live in a culture where taking ownership of one’s actions and decisions is often seen as a sign of weakness, or the people who are responsible are sometimes referred to as “Boss ka Chamcha.” So, now people here have mastered the art of ducking, deflecting, and deceiving their way out of trouble. I’m sure many of us have experienced situations where we’ve asked someone to take responsibility for a task or a project, only to be met with blank stares and empty promises.
The truth is this attitude towards responsibility is damaging to the company’s growth and reputation. We cannot afford to have a team of individuals who refuse to take ownership of their work. It leads to a culture of uncertainty, where deadlines are missed, clients are unhappy, and progress is slow.
One of the most frustrating things for me is the lack of follow-up from our team members. I cannot tell you how many times I have sent out messages asking for updates on a particular project, only to be met with silence. It’s as if some of our team members believe that by ignoring the issue, it will magically disappear.
Well, let me tell you, people, that’s not how the real world works. We need to have a management style that is proactive, not reactive. We need team members who are willing to step up and take charge, who are not afraid to take risks, and who are not afraid to fail.
Now, before you accuse me of being insensitive or prejudiced, let me clarify that I am not making a sweeping generalization. I understand this issue is not unique to Pakistanis, and many people from different cultures struggle to take ownership of their work. However, in my experience, the problem is more prevalent among Pakistani employees.
It’s not uncommon to hear excuses and deflections from our Pakistani colleagues when things go wrong. “It’s not my job,” “I didn’t know I was supposed to do that,” and, “I thought someone else was taking care of it” are some of the common phrases we hear. It’s almost as if they are allergic to accepting responsibility.
To make matters worse, the management style here seems to be uncertain. If you don’t take the initiative to follow up, chances are they won’t bother to get back to you. They will simply avoid their responsibilities and hope someone else takes care of them.
To ensure a productive work environment, all the forgetful employees should make an effort to keep things organized and write things down in the form of proper documentation to avoid missing deadlines and tasks; it’s time to fill up those excel sheets and start jotting down your responsibilities. This can be compared to a game of hot potato, where no one wants to hold onto the responsibility for too long, but ultimately, someone must take ownership. It’s high time, people, take ownership of your work and stop passing the buck to your boss or colleagues. By practicing responsible behavior and taking action when necessary, employees can create a more efficient and successful team.
At least, we can hope so!
