WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF BEING A COLLECTIVE PERSON?

CARLA FAYE G. CAUGUIRAN,MAED

In managing an organization or being a member of the organization, being a collective person, advantageous or disadvantageous? Just like any other cultural orientation, it has advantages and disadvantages. Generally, Filipinos are labelled as collective persons. But, what does it mean? In Philippine context, being collective means that and individual puts so much emphasis with relationship and hierarchy in an organization. Apparently, this cultural orientation has advantages. One of which is that Filipinos are really particular with relationship within the organization. The term “pakikisama” is a vital component of the work relationship among Filipinos. “Pakikisama” means that individuals are not only attached to one another physically, but also emotionally. That is why in the context of Philippine organization, colleagues are often “Kumpare and Kumare”. Because they value their relationship so much. Looking at this, it is good. When it comes to human relations. However, this often becomes the reason of conflict in an organization. For instance, because of that very close bond between and among members of the organization, sometimes it affects the productivity and effectivity of the members. To explain that there are cases where members took advantage of the bond, other members of the organization who use that as tool to exempt themselves in work and take the easier task or sometimes schedule. So, it affects the productivity of the people in an organization. Because they use that as a platform to exclude themselves in the job. Furthermore, this can start the conflict within the organization. Some members now will have this notion that because of that strong bond, some people from the organization gets special treatment. This creates an imbalance it the organization. Not to mention the effect of this trait in decision making. Because of “pakikisama”, the proper decision cannot sometimes be implemented because they are thinking that they might hurt the feelings of their kumare and kumpare. Further, another trait that goes along in being a collective person is so much emphasis in the hierarchy of the organization. Off course, this is good when it comes to the hierarchy of power. Filipinos give so much emphasis on this. The order of the heads is followed religiously. However, the downside is that this power is sometimes being used to uphold personal gain not the welfare and the purpose of the organization. Because they give so much emphasis on the power of the bosses, there are cases that even the order is no longer correct or good, people still will follow even to the expense of others because it is the ordered of the boss. There must be a borderline between following orders and following with purpose. There must be a seemingly tough task to do. That is to have a professional relationship instead of the emotional relationship. Which is almost impossible among Filipinos because that is the culture. How does it affect job performance and work relationship? In relation to my answer in the first question, being a collective person can affect productivity and effectivity of the organization. Looking at the brighter side, because of the particularity in relationship between and among members of the organization, the expected outcome must be a better and accurate performance or service. However, if the trait is used otherwise, then, the expected outcome is also negative. Having said that, the point is just simple, a professional relationship must be observed in the organization to make proper decisions for the benefit of the people in the organization and to really serve its purpose.

-oOoThe author is Teacher III at Tinajero National High School -Annex