Expat bosses should not ignore cultural differences at work

According to Dr Valerie McKenzie, managing director of Thana Burin Asia Pacific Ltd. and Morning Talk news anchor, expat bosses have unrealistic expectations of Thai staff, Bangkok Post reported.

She says most foreign managers want Thais to change and adopt a Western approach, which is not acceptable. Dr McKenzie suggests that foreign employers would rather try to mix international with local methods.

"The only things Thais need to change is what they can learn from these people [their foreign employers]," said Dr McKenzie, speaking at a discussion on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in Thailand, held by the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand, the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce and the New Zealand Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Thais still view foreigners as authority figures, Sukhavichai Dhanasundara, managing director of Brainforce International (Thailand) Co Ltd, says. Therefore they feel discouraged to participate in discussion. Mr Sukhavichai suggests that foreign bosses participate in social events in order to break the ice.

"Join parties or go bowling. This will make your workers accept you not as someone who is 'up there' but as a partner who is willing to come down and listen," he said.

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