I am from Bangladesh, a country in South Asia whose working culture is greatly influenced by its history, tightly bonded families, religious inclination, and the country's fast-moving economic progress. In this essay, I would like to elaborate on some of the key aspects: leadership, communication, and decision-making, and also on how my culture has influenced how I function within working cultures.
Leadership and Decision-Making
The majority of Bangladesh workplaces possess a highly hierarchical leadership style. There is great respect for authority, and people wait for clear instructions from their supervisors before acting. Leaders are expected to make decisions, and employees rarely challenge or question them openly. While that gives order and clarity, I think it prevents people from coming up with innovative ideas or showing initiative. I believe that a more participatory, open leadership style would render teams more creative and dynamic. Members of the team ought to feel safe to comment without fear of judgment or retaliation.
Communication and Relationships
Communication in Bangladesh is very polite and indirect. People hate conflict, so instead of saying something directly, they might use hints or body language to communicate a message. Interpersonal relations and trust are highly valued—sometimes even higher than contractual agreements. While I do value the courteous and amiable nature of this communication style, I've also seen how it can create confusion, especially when clear and direct communication is what is called for in business contexts. In global or multicultural business contexts, this indirectness is sometimes misconstrued as a sign of a lack of confidence or seriousness.
In many cases, business or employment decisions are made based on personal connections and relationships. While networking is unavoidable in all cultures, I'd rather see greater emphasis on qualifications, competence, and fairness rather than merely "who you know."
Gender and Family Dynamics
Men have been the breadwinners in Bangladeshi families, while women have stayed home and worked within the home. Luckily, this is starting to change—more and more women are joining the workforce—but gender bias still exists. Women still face problems like lower pay, fewer opportunities for promotion to leadership roles, and challenges in balancing work and family responsibilities.
Family is extremely important in Bangladeshi culture. Most individuals live with extended families and make career decisions based on what is best for the family. For instance, someone might turn down a good job in another city because they have to take care of their elderly parents. I respect this strong sense of family obligation, but I also think that we need to have more systems and support in place so that individuals can more easily balance their work and family obligations.
My Background and How It Affects Me
I grew up in a small town in Bangladesh, not in a large city. That taught me to be modest, polite, and to speak carefully. When I moved to Finland, I quickly discovered how differently people communicate. Finnish people are very direct—they say exactly what they mean. At first, I would find this intimidating, and it was difficult to stand up for myself in class discussions or group work. But over time, I have learned to adjust. I try to combine the Bangladeshi respectfulness with the directness I have learned here.
For example, in my own culture, I would never interrupt when somebody is speaking—it would be impolite. But in Finland, if I don't say something soon enough, the subject changes and my voice is not heard. So now I am trying to achieve a balance: being courteous but also more assertive and clear in expressing what I think.
What I Appreciate and What I'd Like to Change
What I love about Bangladeshi work culture is the strong sense of community. People really look after each other, and workplaces feel like a second family. That sense of bonding is to be cherished. What I would want to see more of in the future, though, is increased transparency, fairness, and gender equality. If we focus on more merit, inclusive leadership, and open communication, I think our workplaces will only become stronger and more inspirational.
In summary, the Bangladesh work culture is a unique mix of tradition, respect, and humanity. While these values make us resilient, there is also room to change, especially in making workplaces more inclusive, equitable, and open to diverse voices. My background has shaped how I communicate, but my life in Finland is changing me into a more balanced and assertive communicator.