Tutu Ku

Every company has an organisation chart. Corporate mafia is when the real power at work sits outside the organisation chart. It usually involves a combination of: 1. Loyalty over merit – Bosses promote, protect or recommend their own people.2. Information networks – Certain people know things before everyone else does.3. Access to power – One … Read more

One big red flag for me is when the hiring manager cannot clearly explain why the position is vacant. Ask what happened to the previous person. Also observe how they talk about former employees. If everybody who left was apparently lazy, problematic, ungrateful and useless, hmmm… maybe the employees were not the common denominator. And pay attention … Read more

I have been on all sides of this before – the one the boss doesn’t favour, the one the boss favours, and the boss who favours people. And this is what I’ve learned throughout my life. Managing up is a skill many people underestimate. I’m not saying you need to lick your boss’s boots. But … Read more

Sunday morning, headed out to Melaka to support the Kenduri BERSAMA event. Didn’t get too many people asking for career advice today, but honestly, that’s okay. Because what I got instead was even better. The experience of gotong-royong, easily one of the nicest breakfasts I’ve had in a long while, and the chance to sit … Read more

My first public appearance as a speaker with BERSAMA. 💛 Nervous. See you tomorrow, Melaka! 🗓️ 23 August 2026 (Sunday)⏰ 10.00am to 2.00pm📍 Fadly Alias’s Residence: Lot 3206, Batu 5 1/4, Jalan Kg. Bukit Rambai, 72520 Melaka (Next to SMK Klebang Besar) For more information, visit bersama.org. xoxoxo, AuntyHR

I want to brag a bit. In 2003, months before my final-year exams, I had already started looking for a job. I don’t quite remember how many applications I sent out, but I was shortlisted for 13 interviews. I received 12 job offers. Don’t quite remember what happened to that one. Anyway… I honestly believe … Read more

One of the harder parts of leadership is learning to let good people go. Especially when it’s someone I genuinely like, trust and enjoy working with. Of course, their departure may cause some inconvenience to me. But people have the right to make decisions about their own careers. Respect the decision. Support the transition. Wish … Read more

I’m someone who clears my work emails every working day when my out-of-office reply is not on. It’s a habit I’ve built over the years because I’ve learned that speed of response matters. When I was in corporate, I received an average of 100-200 emails every day, including spam, EDMs and emails I was copied … Read more

I’ve worked with and managed a few of them. And I put up with them because they were very good at their jobs. Worse, I kept making excuses for their poor behaviour because they delivered results. Looking back, that was lazy leadership. Eventually, I found myself keeping one superstar while losing three good people who … Read more

For your sanity, until there’s an offer, keep moving. For your sanity, “next year” is not a promotion. For your sanity, stop waiting for them to see your worth. For your sanity, stop waiting for your boss to change. For your sanity, stop expecting closure from a bad workplace. For your sanity, stop comparing your … Read more