1 00:00:03,069 --> 00:00:05,300 Speaker 1: You're listening to a CNA podcast. 2 00:00:09,850 --> 00:00:13,300 Speaker 2: Hi, it's Tiffany and Gerald back on the Work It podcast. 3 00:00:13,470 --> 00:00:15,539 Speaker 2: I think recently there's so much talk about workplace attire. 4 00:00:15,590 --> 00:00:17,308 Speaker 2: Maybe it's the start of the year, people looking at 5 00:00:17,309 --> 00:00:20,219 Speaker 2: their wardrobes, is it true. I remember one funny story. 6 00:00:20,309 --> 00:00:22,469 Speaker 2: I remember having a colleague who makes it a point 7 00:00:22,469 --> 00:00:26,159 Speaker 2: to never wear the same attire to office. Yeah, so 8 00:00:26,159 --> 00:00:28,270 Speaker 2: she tells us proudly that I will never wear the 9 00:00:28,270 --> 00:00:30,309 Speaker 2: same attire to office. You won't see me in the 10 00:00:30,309 --> 00:00:31,379 Speaker 2: same attire twice. 11 00:00:31,700 --> 00:00:34,250 Speaker 2: They own the outfits because they have like rental outfits 12 00:00:34,250 --> 00:00:36,290 Speaker 2: these days. Yeah, she owns it. She makes effort to 13 00:00:36,290 --> 00:00:39,439 Speaker 2: change her outfit every day. Her style is different every day. 14 00:00:39,729 --> 00:00:41,848 Speaker 2: I'm very sure she has a very big wardrobe and 15 00:00:41,848 --> 00:00:44,930 Speaker 2: a huge shopping budget. Yeah, but I wonder where all 16 00:00:44,930 --> 00:00:47,089 Speaker 2: the clothes go to after she's done with them. I'm 17 00:00:47,090 --> 00:00:48,810 Speaker 2: not sure as well, but I must say she looks 18 00:00:48,810 --> 00:00:51,729 Speaker 2: really good in every outfit, so she's got great taste. Well, 19 00:00:51,770 --> 00:00:53,668 Speaker 2: I work in the media and I have friends who 20 00:00:53,720 --> 00:00:56,340 Speaker 2: Work in the fashion industry as well. I do think 21 00:00:56,340 --> 00:00:58,860 Speaker 2: that I'm quite forward looking when it comes to fashion, 22 00:00:59,029 --> 00:01:02,590 Speaker 2: but recently I've noticed people wearing crop top to the 23 00:01:02,590 --> 00:01:06,220 Speaker 2: office and that has caused me to raise my eyebrow 24 00:01:06,220 --> 00:01:09,230 Speaker 2: a few times. What is it exactly about that that 25 00:01:09,230 --> 00:01:11,830 Speaker 2: makes you raise your eyebrows? So I'm not uncomfortable about 26 00:01:11,830 --> 00:01:14,708 Speaker 2: the fashion sense, like you feel good about it, that's 27 00:01:14,709 --> 00:01:15,629 Speaker 2: perfectly fine. 28 00:01:15,900 --> 00:01:19,779 Speaker 2: But I think I'm uncomfortable about where you are dressed 29 00:01:20,239 --> 00:01:23,160 Speaker 2: for the occasion. So it's not about what they are wearing, 30 00:01:23,239 --> 00:01:25,679 Speaker 2: but it's where they're wearing it to. Yeah, actually I'm 31 00:01:25,680 --> 00:01:27,360 Speaker 2: totally with you on this, Tiffany. I think it's good 32 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:29,839 Speaker 2: if our attire can help us to be comfortable and 33 00:01:29,839 --> 00:01:32,760 Speaker 2: maybe be more comfortable, we are more productive, but sometimes 34 00:01:32,760 --> 00:01:35,599 Speaker 2: our comfort can become a discomfort to others, right? And 35 00:01:35,599 --> 00:01:38,830 Speaker 2: also even a discredit to ourselves, which is why today 36 00:01:38,830 --> 00:01:40,800 Speaker 2: we are here to talk about workplace attire and what's 37 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:42,360 Speaker 2: appropriate or whether 38 00:01:42,489 --> 00:01:44,199 Speaker 2: We just becoming out of touch with the norms of 39 00:01:44,199 --> 00:01:47,879 Speaker 2: workplace attire. Yeah, yeah, same, same. So it's great that 40 00:01:47,879 --> 00:01:50,000 Speaker 2: we have someone who's very familiar with this topic of 41 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:52,639 Speaker 2: workplace attire. So happy to have Yvonne with us here. 42 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:55,790 Speaker 2: She's an associate faculty with one of our local universities, 43 00:01:55,910 --> 00:01:58,000 Speaker 2: and over the past 10 years, she has provided career 44 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:02,040 Speaker 2: guidance and valuable grooming and attire advice to fresh graduates 45 00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:04,440 Speaker 2: from many universities in Singapore. So she has a lot 46 00:02:04,440 --> 00:02:07,360 Speaker 2: of funny stories and experiences to share. So let's welcome 47 00:02:07,360 --> 00:02:08,960 Speaker 2: Yvonne Kong Ho. Hi, Yvonne. 48 00:02:09,089 --> 00:02:11,759 Speaker 2: Hi Cheryl. Hi Tiffany, thank you for having me. Thank 49 00:02:11,758 --> 00:02:14,440 Speaker 2: you for coming. What is the most shocking outfit you 50 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:17,448 Speaker 2: have ever heard of or you have seen someone wear 51 00:02:17,449 --> 00:02:20,089 Speaker 2: to the workplace? So all of us in the university, 52 00:02:20,160 --> 00:02:24,119 Speaker 2: we adhere to very decent workplace quotes and norms, make 53 00:02:24,119 --> 00:02:26,559 Speaker 2: sure the students are ready for the workplace. So many 54 00:02:26,559 --> 00:02:29,460 Speaker 2: years ago, I've had an industry partner who called me 55 00:02:29,460 --> 00:02:31,519 Speaker 2: and then said that, would you like to talk to 56 00:02:31,520 --> 00:02:34,630 Speaker 2: your student about what she's wearing at the workplace? I'm like, oh, 57 00:02:34,679 --> 00:02:35,559 Speaker 2: is everything OK? 58 00:02:35,919 --> 00:02:39,050 Speaker 2: Yeah, so apparently student was very decent. So student, you know, 59 00:02:39,169 --> 00:02:42,250 Speaker 2: like wore a jacket or a blazer, but when she 60 00:02:42,250 --> 00:02:45,089 Speaker 2: wanted to use the washroom, she took off her blazer, 61 00:02:45,130 --> 00:02:47,899 Speaker 2: then the whole company, the department said so because there 62 00:02:47,899 --> 00:02:51,029 Speaker 2: was a big hole at the back of her top, yeah, 63 00:02:51,288 --> 00:02:53,880 Speaker 2: nothing in this. Yeah, I mean it didn't show any, 64 00:02:54,089 --> 00:02:56,089 Speaker 2: you know what I mean, no undergarments, nothing, but it 65 00:02:56,089 --> 00:02:59,130 Speaker 2: was that hole in the middle, yeah, at that point 66 00:02:59,130 --> 00:03:00,529 Speaker 2: in time, I think bad bags were quite 67 00:03:00,580 --> 00:03:03,169 Speaker 2: Popular, but then industry partner called me and said, can 68 00:03:03,169 --> 00:03:05,449 Speaker 2: you please talk to your students about it? So to 69 00:03:05,449 --> 00:03:08,000 Speaker 2: her defense, I actually told her partner, but she did 70 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:10,410 Speaker 2: have her jacket on. Yeah, so what I'm going to 71 00:03:10,410 --> 00:03:12,130 Speaker 2: do is I'm going to ask her not to take 72 00:03:12,130 --> 00:03:14,520 Speaker 2: out the jacket, even when she's walking to the washroom. 73 00:03:14,770 --> 00:03:17,020 Speaker 2: She can take out the jacket when she's in the washroom. 74 00:03:17,300 --> 00:03:19,970 Speaker 2: Would that be good? And industry partner say, OK, but 75 00:03:19,970 --> 00:03:22,330 Speaker 2: I thought I have to give credit to that student, right? Yeah, 76 00:03:22,570 --> 00:03:24,679 Speaker 2: she tried to cover up. I mean she at least 77 00:03:24,679 --> 00:03:25,169 Speaker 2: thought about. 78 00:03:25,258 --> 00:03:27,570 Speaker 2: Yeah, she's conscious about the fact that that could be 79 00:03:27,570 --> 00:03:30,250 Speaker 2: a bit distracting. But I think that's where outfits can 80 00:03:30,250 --> 00:03:33,490 Speaker 2: be so polarizing because personally I feel that there's nothing 81 00:03:33,490 --> 00:03:35,970 Speaker 2: wrong with it. Like you say, this person has kept 82 00:03:35,970 --> 00:03:39,490 Speaker 2: her jacket on the whole time wasn't a distraction and 83 00:03:39,729 --> 00:03:42,809 Speaker 2: she was just hot for a second and I think 84 00:03:42,809 --> 00:03:45,529 Speaker 2: it's a bit shocking that the industry partner would make 85 00:03:45,529 --> 00:03:48,970 Speaker 2: it an issue unless it's something that they have consistently 86 00:03:48,970 --> 00:03:49,809 Speaker 2: been noticing. 87 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:52,610 Speaker 2: And maybe there was feedback that was already given by 88 00:03:52,610 --> 00:03:54,889 Speaker 2: her other colleagues. But then again, I said it's very 89 00:03:54,889 --> 00:03:57,490 Speaker 2: polarizing because some other person might say, as long as 90 00:03:57,490 --> 00:04:00,399 Speaker 2: it distracts your colleagues, it might not be a good thing. 91 00:04:00,449 --> 00:04:07,500 Speaker 2: And then again, why is it distracting your colleague? Hello colleagues. Exactly, 92 00:04:07,690 --> 00:04:10,440 Speaker 2: keep your eyes on the job. She's not the job. 93 00:04:11,860 --> 00:04:14,020 Speaker 2: Sometimes maybe it's just that people were just shocked. I mean, 94 00:04:14,100 --> 00:04:15,779 Speaker 2: based on their story, right, people could be just shocked 95 00:04:15,779 --> 00:04:18,459 Speaker 2: that they never expected you to be wow, so daring, 96 00:04:18,660 --> 00:04:20,940 Speaker 2: so they may have maybe boxed us up in a 97 00:04:20,940 --> 00:04:22,219 Speaker 2: certain way because of what we wear. 98 00:04:22,549 --> 00:04:24,619 Speaker 2: And I don't know, maybe on along that lines, would 99 00:04:24,619 --> 00:04:28,540 Speaker 2: there be certain of attire that we should avoid or 100 00:04:28,540 --> 00:04:30,700 Speaker 2: we should wear more off so that people can maybe 101 00:04:30,700 --> 00:04:34,019 Speaker 2: look at us with a certain sense of professionalism. I 102 00:04:34,019 --> 00:04:35,980 Speaker 2: think at the end of the day it's really about 103 00:04:35,980 --> 00:04:39,299 Speaker 2: what impression do you want to convey because like it 104 00:04:39,299 --> 00:04:42,500 Speaker 2: or not, first impressions do count and people do look 105 00:04:42,500 --> 00:04:45,500 Speaker 2: at us and have certain preconceived notions about us because 106 00:04:45,500 --> 00:04:48,059 Speaker 2: of what we wear or how we're wearing it. I 107 00:04:48,059 --> 00:04:50,140 Speaker 2: do help a lot of friends who sometimes will come 108 00:04:50,140 --> 00:04:50,869 Speaker 2: and tell me that. 109 00:04:51,190 --> 00:04:53,790 Speaker 2: Yvon I've been in this role for 89 years and 110 00:04:53,790 --> 00:04:56,799 Speaker 2: I'm not being taken very seriously, or I can tell 111 00:04:56,799 --> 00:04:59,390 Speaker 2: when somebody comes to me and thinks I'm still a 112 00:04:59,390 --> 00:05:01,899 Speaker 2: Xiao Mei Ming in Chinese it means I'm still very junior. 113 00:05:02,029 --> 00:05:04,589 Speaker 2: I'm not junior Yvonne. I've been promoted to head of 114 00:05:04,589 --> 00:05:08,339 Speaker 2: the department and sometimes after speaking and they trusted me 115 00:05:08,339 --> 00:05:10,570 Speaker 2: enough to look at their wardrobe or send me photos 116 00:05:10,570 --> 00:05:12,510 Speaker 2: of what they wear, and then I'm like, hm, I 117 00:05:12,510 --> 00:05:14,709 Speaker 2: think I can understand why some people will think of 118 00:05:14,709 --> 00:05:18,019 Speaker 2: them in a certain way. OK, so to Jaro's question, 119 00:05:18,230 --> 00:05:19,029 Speaker 2: I think it really depends. 120 00:05:19,148 --> 00:05:21,688 Speaker 2: Which industry you're in, because some industries are a lot 121 00:05:21,688 --> 00:05:24,498 Speaker 2: more open and a lot more like, oh, this is fine, 122 00:05:24,539 --> 00:05:28,459 Speaker 2: this is fashion, celebrate your individuality. Yeah. But some people 123 00:05:28,459 --> 00:05:31,008 Speaker 2: be like, oh, we have clients walking into the office 124 00:05:31,009 --> 00:05:33,897 Speaker 2: all the time, or you are in a certain profession 125 00:05:33,898 --> 00:05:37,579 Speaker 2: or industry where honestly your clothing will have to denote 126 00:05:37,579 --> 00:05:41,178 Speaker 2: some credibility, more credibility than the others. How would you 127 00:05:41,178 --> 00:05:43,217 Speaker 2: feel if you're a doctor or rather you're a doctor 128 00:05:43,218 --> 00:05:45,949 Speaker 2: and your patient sees you driving a sports car? Yeah, 129 00:05:46,459 --> 00:05:47,098 Speaker 2: nothing wrong, right? 130 00:05:47,217 --> 00:05:50,157 Speaker 2: Yeah, right? As opposed to a very serious looking car, 131 00:05:50,287 --> 00:05:53,687 Speaker 2: would you think, wow, if my surgeon is into fast cars, 132 00:05:53,808 --> 00:05:56,157 Speaker 2: my surgeon might not be a more detailed. It's a 133 00:05:56,157 --> 00:05:59,118 Speaker 2: it's a perception, even if it is a wrong perception, 134 00:05:59,166 --> 00:06:01,798 Speaker 2: it is still a perception. You're right and then it's like, oh, 135 00:06:01,847 --> 00:06:05,328 Speaker 2: that's so unfair to the doctor, right? But some patients might, oh, OK, 136 00:06:05,447 --> 00:06:08,017 Speaker 2: maybe I should choose someone else who seems more stable, 137 00:06:08,166 --> 00:06:11,208 Speaker 2: more decent, but that's wrong. I think sometimes perceptions can 138 00:06:11,208 --> 00:06:13,847 Speaker 2: be like what you said, they can be so polarizing, 139 00:06:13,888 --> 00:06:15,147 Speaker 2: they can be so deceiving. 140 00:06:15,286 --> 00:06:17,635 Speaker 2: So I would tell some of my students or even 141 00:06:17,636 --> 00:06:19,796 Speaker 2: advise them as I work with them, if you're in 142 00:06:19,796 --> 00:06:22,476 Speaker 2: let's say technology or if you're in like a media 143 00:06:22,476 --> 00:06:26,437 Speaker 2: agency kind of environment, it's actually very acceptable if you 144 00:06:26,437 --> 00:06:29,877 Speaker 2: celebrate your individuality a little more with like maybe let's 145 00:06:29,877 --> 00:06:34,747 Speaker 2: say brighter colors or funkier looking blazers. I have seen 146 00:06:34,747 --> 00:06:38,195 Speaker 2: and it's so tastefully put together. Some people wear athleisure 147 00:06:38,196 --> 00:06:42,877 Speaker 2: to the office, athleisure for sure it's like maybe sports leggings, yeah, 148 00:06:42,957 --> 00:06:43,307 Speaker 2: and then 149 00:06:43,365 --> 00:06:46,305 Speaker 2: sports top, but they pair it with a very nice 150 00:06:46,305 --> 00:06:50,595 Speaker 2: blazer and then they wear like decent looking sneakers or 151 00:06:50,596 --> 00:06:53,066 Speaker 2: sometimes they even wear like loafers. And when you see 152 00:06:53,065 --> 00:06:56,346 Speaker 2: the whole look, it's like wow, you're comfortable and because 153 00:06:56,346 --> 00:06:58,865 Speaker 2: when you're comfortable, you're usually more productive. And at the 154 00:06:58,865 --> 00:07:01,105 Speaker 2: same time, you are so ready to see any client 155 00:07:01,105 --> 00:07:03,605 Speaker 2: who walks into your office and I would say students 156 00:07:03,605 --> 00:07:05,406 Speaker 2: of mine who actually dress this way, friends of mine 157 00:07:05,406 --> 00:07:08,746 Speaker 2: who dress this way for their industry, technology, media, they 158 00:07:08,746 --> 00:07:11,305 Speaker 2: tell me that they feel so like energetic. Yeah. 159 00:07:11,424 --> 00:07:13,614 Speaker 2: But then there's the other side of the spectrum for 160 00:07:13,614 --> 00:07:17,174 Speaker 2: some people, clothing is just not a thing for them, right? 161 00:07:17,295 --> 00:07:19,934 Speaker 2: So they would turn up in maybe something that they 162 00:07:19,934 --> 00:07:23,714 Speaker 2: feel most comfortable in. I've seen people who come into 163 00:07:23,714 --> 00:07:26,915 Speaker 2: the office and not our office per se but other offices, 164 00:07:26,924 --> 00:07:31,355 Speaker 2: sweatpants and slippers. Is that something that you would definitely 165 00:07:31,454 --> 00:07:36,015 Speaker 2: advise your students against? Definitely, you're in a workplace, so 166 00:07:36,015 --> 00:07:38,535 Speaker 2: I always tell my students and my coaches, because you're 167 00:07:38,535 --> 00:07:39,244 Speaker 2: in a workplace 168 00:07:39,493 --> 00:07:41,723 Speaker 2: All respect one another. We respect the fact that we're 169 00:07:41,723 --> 00:07:44,403 Speaker 2: going to bring the best version of ourselves to our 170 00:07:44,403 --> 00:07:46,614 Speaker 2: workplace and give our very best work. And when we 171 00:07:46,683 --> 00:07:50,484 Speaker 2: wear slippers and all, yes, it doesn't just depict that 172 00:07:50,484 --> 00:07:52,924 Speaker 2: you may not be very conscientious at work, it may 173 00:07:52,924 --> 00:07:56,843 Speaker 2: depict sloppiness, laziness. I think there are conventions to respect 174 00:07:56,843 --> 00:07:59,604 Speaker 2: in every workplace, and there are some no nos. It's 175 00:07:59,604 --> 00:08:02,734 Speaker 2: not just slippers, there could be other pieces of accessories 176 00:08:02,734 --> 00:08:05,243 Speaker 2: or clothing. They may not show forth the best versions 177 00:08:05,243 --> 00:08:07,444 Speaker 2: of yourselves. But there are some people who would say, 178 00:08:07,713 --> 00:08:10,233 Speaker 2: Because my shoes are uncomfortable anyway, I'm just sitting there, 179 00:08:10,273 --> 00:08:12,792 Speaker 2: so I just slipped into my fluffy slippers and what's 180 00:08:12,792 --> 00:08:15,113 Speaker 2: wrong with that? I have seen that before and students 181 00:08:15,113 --> 00:08:18,192 Speaker 2: have given me feedback and maybe I will share what 182 00:08:18,192 --> 00:08:20,872 Speaker 2: some of the industry partners have told me. So there's 183 00:08:20,872 --> 00:08:23,592 Speaker 2: nothing wrong, right? Especially when you wear very high heels 184 00:08:23,592 --> 00:08:25,953 Speaker 2: to work and then you change to something else. But 185 00:08:25,953 --> 00:08:29,153 Speaker 2: some industry partners tell me it's the whole package and 186 00:08:29,153 --> 00:08:32,112 Speaker 2: it's also the personal branding I'm trying to denote. While 187 00:08:32,112 --> 00:08:35,263 Speaker 2: they understand that summer shoes are uncomfortable, but maybe you 188 00:08:35,263 --> 00:08:35,552 Speaker 2: don't have to. 189 00:08:35,631 --> 00:08:38,541 Speaker 2: Wear fluffy. With all due respect, we need a pool slippers, 190 00:08:38,742 --> 00:08:42,322 Speaker 2: very comfortable, but people are like, um, this one, not very, 191 00:08:42,622 --> 00:08:45,021 Speaker 2: what is it brand new to be? Maybe you can 192 00:08:45,021 --> 00:08:47,742 Speaker 2: wear flat shoes in the workplace. It doesn't have to 193 00:08:47,742 --> 00:08:51,062 Speaker 2: be fluffy slippers, it can be flat comfortable shoes when 194 00:08:51,062 --> 00:08:54,262 Speaker 2: you're going to the restroom. I wanted to circle back 195 00:08:54,261 --> 00:08:57,011 Speaker 2: to one of the examples that I gave earlier when 196 00:08:57,011 --> 00:08:59,812 Speaker 2: I first came out to work, I looked so young 197 00:09:00,101 --> 00:09:02,661 Speaker 2: that people thought I was an intern and then the 198 00:09:02,660 --> 00:09:03,622 Speaker 2: way colleagues interact. 199 00:09:03,700 --> 00:09:06,450 Speaker 2: To me, the way other stakeholders interacted with me, I 200 00:09:06,450 --> 00:09:09,050 Speaker 2: felt I wasn't being taken very seriously. Even when I 201 00:09:09,051 --> 00:09:10,890 Speaker 2: tried to speak up, even when I tried to share 202 00:09:10,890 --> 00:09:13,530 Speaker 2: my ideas, they were kind of cast you aside and 203 00:09:13,530 --> 00:09:15,861 Speaker 2: then 6 months later I was like, OK, this cannot 204 00:09:15,861 --> 00:09:17,931 Speaker 2: go on. So what I did was I went to 205 00:09:17,931 --> 00:09:20,861 Speaker 2: perm my hair and I went to change from my 206 00:09:20,861 --> 00:09:24,010 Speaker 2: contacts to dark green glasses. And then I used to 207 00:09:24,010 --> 00:09:27,601 Speaker 2: wear like just sweatpants and then a blouse, very comfortable 208 00:09:27,601 --> 00:09:30,491 Speaker 2: and I thought the colors made sense, are coordinated well, 209 00:09:30,611 --> 00:09:31,690 Speaker 2: you know, sweatpants. 210 00:09:31,789 --> 00:09:34,359 Speaker 2: blouse or a shirt with track shoes. And then I 211 00:09:34,359 --> 00:09:37,039 Speaker 2: got the work done, but it just didn't take the 212 00:09:37,039 --> 00:09:39,468 Speaker 2: perception away that I seemed very junior to the point 213 00:09:39,469 --> 00:09:41,739 Speaker 2: that I looked like an intern. I started wearing more 214 00:09:41,739 --> 00:09:46,630 Speaker 2: serious looking trousers, blouses and low heels or even flats, 215 00:09:46,640 --> 00:09:49,679 Speaker 2: but more serious looking. I probably look 10 years older, 216 00:09:49,719 --> 00:09:52,359 Speaker 2: now looking back at my own photos, but it worked 217 00:09:52,359 --> 00:09:55,199 Speaker 2: like a charm. When I spoke, you could see that 218 00:09:55,200 --> 00:09:57,988 Speaker 2: people were taking me more seriously there was more respect 219 00:09:57,989 --> 00:09:59,789 Speaker 2: and then actually in that year 220 00:09:59,838 --> 00:10:03,028 Speaker 2: had a promotion. Yeah, I think the workplace attire, it 221 00:10:03,028 --> 00:10:06,348 Speaker 2: doesn't just serve to help people to perceive us, but 222 00:10:06,348 --> 00:10:08,549 Speaker 2: also it helps us to perceive ourselves as well, because 223 00:10:08,549 --> 00:10:11,108 Speaker 2: our attire is like an identity as well, and what 224 00:10:11,109 --> 00:10:13,669 Speaker 2: we wear, it actually reinforces the belief of what we 225 00:10:13,669 --> 00:10:14,908 Speaker 2: do and why we do what we do. I mean, 226 00:10:14,948 --> 00:10:17,108 Speaker 2: you think about it, right, like in the military, you 227 00:10:17,109 --> 00:10:21,119 Speaker 2: wear the uniforms, you wear it with a sense of purpose, right? 228 00:10:21,208 --> 00:10:24,007 Speaker 2: And although in the workplaces, we don't have private sector, 229 00:10:24,268 --> 00:10:27,778 Speaker 2: we don't have conformed or defined attires or uniforms. 230 00:10:28,229 --> 00:10:30,500 Speaker 2: But then what we choose to wear, we should try 231 00:10:30,500 --> 00:10:32,968 Speaker 2: to remember it as like, how does this attire remind 232 00:10:32,969 --> 00:10:35,409 Speaker 2: me to be professional, right? I think this is important 233 00:10:35,409 --> 00:10:37,409 Speaker 2: because even for men it's the same thing. We might 234 00:10:37,409 --> 00:10:39,690 Speaker 2: be talking about ladies, right? When I was doing a 235 00:10:39,690 --> 00:10:41,728 Speaker 2: leadership role, one of the first things I started to 236 00:10:41,729 --> 00:10:43,530 Speaker 2: realize was how do I get people to take me 237 00:10:43,530 --> 00:10:46,049 Speaker 2: seriously because I was a bit younger at that point 238 00:10:46,049 --> 00:10:46,450 Speaker 2: of time. 239 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:48,489 Speaker 2: The first thing I did was a wardrobe change. So 240 00:10:48,489 --> 00:10:50,880 Speaker 2: you threw away all your polotes. At the point of time, 241 00:10:50,890 --> 00:10:55,030 Speaker 2: I used to like very interesting shirts like nice colors 242 00:10:55,030 --> 00:10:59,479 Speaker 2: and guys don't have much variation. So maybe just interesting designs, 243 00:10:59,650 --> 00:11:02,250 Speaker 2: little imprints, but I realized I cannot keep any of 244 00:11:02,250 --> 00:11:03,729 Speaker 2: these anymore, and the colors cannot. 245 00:11:04,325 --> 00:11:06,914 Speaker 2: I observed what were the leaders in the organization wearing. 246 00:11:07,125 --> 00:11:09,684 Speaker 2: I tried to match similarly, so I start to fix 247 00:11:09,684 --> 00:11:12,844 Speaker 2: now on some base colors, very formal base colors, very 248 00:11:12,844 --> 00:11:15,564 Speaker 2: subtle imprints, and then after that it was like a 249 00:11:15,565 --> 00:11:18,275 Speaker 2: total change. The only thing that I did to maintain 250 00:11:18,275 --> 00:11:21,125 Speaker 2: a little bit of individuality, to remind myself, I'm still me. 251 00:11:21,500 --> 00:11:24,729 Speaker 2: Was my socks. No, actually that's a very good idea. 252 00:11:25,219 --> 00:11:28,419 Speaker 2: So I will choose to buy colorful socks and then 253 00:11:28,419 --> 00:11:30,979 Speaker 2: the staff will notice and then during Christmas, right, they 254 00:11:30,979 --> 00:11:33,929 Speaker 2: all gave me very funky looking socks. We realized that, 255 00:11:33,940 --> 00:11:36,020 Speaker 2: you know, you really have very interesting looking socks. It's 256 00:11:36,020 --> 00:11:38,059 Speaker 2: good that you brought up that point because there would 257 00:11:38,059 --> 00:11:40,669 Speaker 2: be a segment of people listening to this saying that 258 00:11:40,869 --> 00:11:43,218 Speaker 2: Yeah, but then I feel that I'm changing for somebody 259 00:11:43,219 --> 00:11:46,830 Speaker 2: else and I'm not changing for myself and yeah, I 260 00:11:46,830 --> 00:11:48,699 Speaker 2: mean you can put on clothes that make you feel 261 00:11:48,700 --> 00:11:52,460 Speaker 2: very confident, make you be more vocal and feel that 262 00:11:52,460 --> 00:11:54,780 Speaker 2: you have more say at the discussion table, but some 263 00:11:54,780 --> 00:11:57,700 Speaker 2: people really just feel that this is not something that 264 00:11:57,700 --> 00:12:00,460 Speaker 2: I'm comfortable with, but I think you know what Gerald 265 00:12:00,460 --> 00:12:02,859 Speaker 2: says is true, which is you can still retain a 266 00:12:02,859 --> 00:12:05,289 Speaker 2: little bit of your identity. Yeah, I think when you 267 00:12:05,289 --> 00:12:07,780 Speaker 2: are going to leadership roles, it's also important that you 268 00:12:07,780 --> 00:12:10,199 Speaker 2: are there to do a job to help others. 269 00:12:10,299 --> 00:12:12,489 Speaker 2: You can imagine that if today you dress in a 270 00:12:12,489 --> 00:12:15,169 Speaker 2: certain way that doesn't inspire confidence and your staff like, 271 00:12:15,489 --> 00:12:17,289 Speaker 2: how you're going to the meeting room, you're going to 272 00:12:17,289 --> 00:12:19,330 Speaker 2: the board meeting, or you're going to this department meeting 273 00:12:19,330 --> 00:12:22,270 Speaker 2: that you're supposed to fight for us or rather speak 274 00:12:22,270 --> 00:12:24,950 Speaker 2: out on our behalf and you're like dressed like that, right? 275 00:12:25,090 --> 00:12:26,890 Speaker 2: So I used to have this blazer on my chair 276 00:12:26,890 --> 00:12:28,599 Speaker 2: and then every time I put on the blazer, right, 277 00:12:28,729 --> 00:12:30,718 Speaker 2: then the staff kind of know that it's wartime. I'm 278 00:12:30,719 --> 00:12:33,260 Speaker 2: going to fight some battles he's serious, he means business. 279 00:12:33,369 --> 00:12:36,569 Speaker 2: Let's pray for him, you know, on the topic of blazers, right? 280 00:12:36,679 --> 00:12:39,609 Speaker 2: So I worked with many ladies, female students last time. 281 00:12:40,010 --> 00:12:42,849 Speaker 2: So, they look so young, that when they go for interviews, 282 00:12:43,049 --> 00:12:45,369 Speaker 2: a lot of them have met failures and I used 283 00:12:45,369 --> 00:12:46,929 Speaker 2: to work with them, you know the answers were good, 284 00:12:46,969 --> 00:12:49,130 Speaker 2: the way they carry themselves were good. Then I realized 285 00:12:49,130 --> 00:12:50,809 Speaker 2: when I met up with the industry partners to gain 286 00:12:50,809 --> 00:12:53,880 Speaker 2: some feedback. So sometimes some of them would say, sometimes 287 00:12:53,890 --> 00:12:56,289 Speaker 2: your students look so young that I feel like I'm 288 00:12:56,289 --> 00:12:58,770 Speaker 2: hiring my own daughter, or they look so young that 289 00:12:58,770 --> 00:13:01,010 Speaker 2: they look like they're in secondary school. I don't know 290 00:13:01,010 --> 00:13:03,640 Speaker 2: whether they can do the job. It's always that fear, 291 00:13:03,729 --> 00:13:05,690 Speaker 2: so I had to get my female students to look 292 00:13:05,690 --> 00:13:06,330 Speaker 2: more credible. 293 00:13:06,418 --> 00:13:09,328 Speaker 2: And look older open inverted commas so that they can 294 00:13:09,328 --> 00:13:13,648 Speaker 2: inspire confidence right through blazes. And I want to stress 295 00:13:13,648 --> 00:13:17,088 Speaker 2: upon the point, dressing well, dressing to inspire confidence and 296 00:13:17,088 --> 00:13:20,046 Speaker 2: credibility doesn't need to cost a lot of money. So 297 00:13:20,047 --> 00:13:21,658 Speaker 2: I work with my students and then we used to 298 00:13:21,658 --> 00:13:24,397 Speaker 2: identify good blazers for them. And whenever there's a sale, 299 00:13:24,408 --> 00:13:27,567 Speaker 2: I'll message them, sale is here, you know, and it 300 00:13:27,567 --> 00:13:30,527 Speaker 2: really helped. So I worked with this student, she looked 301 00:13:30,528 --> 00:13:32,648 Speaker 2: really young and with permission, I'm sharing this. 302 00:13:32,934 --> 00:13:36,005 Speaker 2: Every interview, she just wouldn't get through. And then I 303 00:13:36,005 --> 00:13:38,276 Speaker 2: advised her, maybe you want to take off your glasses 304 00:13:38,486 --> 00:13:41,526 Speaker 2: and then have a fringe, frame the face. Are you 305 00:13:41,526 --> 00:13:44,085 Speaker 2: open to cutting a board? Yeah, and then wear a 306 00:13:44,085 --> 00:13:46,885 Speaker 2: blazer because she really looked more like she's ready to 307 00:13:46,885 --> 00:13:51,085 Speaker 2: work tomorrow. It worked like a charm. She started getting 308 00:13:51,085 --> 00:13:53,606 Speaker 2: interview offers. I'm sure it's also because of what she 309 00:13:53,606 --> 00:13:56,046 Speaker 2: can bring to the table for the organization. But I 310 00:13:56,046 --> 00:13:57,765 Speaker 2: would like to think that her dressing was really the 311 00:13:57,765 --> 00:13:59,366 Speaker 2: icing on the cake that helped her. 312 00:13:59,453 --> 00:14:02,483 Speaker 2: To clinch the room. And for my gentlemen, yes, you're right. 313 00:14:02,843 --> 00:14:04,804 Speaker 2: I'm so sorry, you all don't get a lot of choices, 314 00:14:05,004 --> 00:14:07,883 Speaker 2: but I also realized that somehow the default things that 315 00:14:07,883 --> 00:14:10,184 Speaker 2: men like to wear, young gentlemen like to wear will 316 00:14:10,184 --> 00:14:12,723 Speaker 2: be white shirt and pants. White shirts are very hard 317 00:14:12,723 --> 00:14:16,203 Speaker 2: to maintain. They are pristine whiteness, and then sometimes when 318 00:14:16,203 --> 00:14:18,963 Speaker 2: they buy shirts that are not of excellent quality, they 319 00:14:18,963 --> 00:14:22,684 Speaker 2: go yellow very quickly, especially at some sports like your 320 00:14:22,684 --> 00:14:25,843 Speaker 2: armpit to say that actually we can tell. 321 00:14:27,171 --> 00:14:29,321 Speaker 2: But sometimes they are so thin, you're right that it's 322 00:14:29,322 --> 00:14:31,581 Speaker 2: not just the neckline because they are so thin and 323 00:14:31,581 --> 00:14:34,002 Speaker 2: they are white. You start seeing other parts. I see, 324 00:14:34,081 --> 00:14:37,202 Speaker 2: I see, yeah, and they can't see it because they 325 00:14:37,202 --> 00:14:39,111 Speaker 2: just grab it out of their wardrobes and then they wear. 326 00:14:39,361 --> 00:14:42,361 Speaker 2: So in a class of white shirts and you can tell, OK, 327 00:14:42,401 --> 00:14:44,611 Speaker 2: this one, the quality is quite good because it's very white, 328 00:14:44,721 --> 00:14:46,961 Speaker 2: and you can even see the texture, you know, material, 329 00:14:46,971 --> 00:14:49,242 Speaker 2: the whiteness. So I've had to, you know, sit down 330 00:14:49,242 --> 00:14:51,161 Speaker 2: with some of the boys and say, actually if you 331 00:14:51,161 --> 00:14:52,361 Speaker 2: want buy maybe 1 or 2. 332 00:14:52,489 --> 00:14:54,599 Speaker 2: White shirts, I know you like quite very much, but 333 00:14:54,599 --> 00:14:56,919 Speaker 2: maybe it can be of a certain brand and a 334 00:14:56,919 --> 00:15:00,320 Speaker 2: certain quality or like thread count or whatever they call 335 00:15:00,320 --> 00:15:02,919 Speaker 2: it these days. I need to hand wash it instead 336 00:15:02,919 --> 00:15:05,159 Speaker 2: of throwing it into the laundry and it gets mixed 337 00:15:05,159 --> 00:15:09,190 Speaker 2: or it gets a bit yellowish, because little things do matter, 338 00:15:09,479 --> 00:15:11,239 Speaker 2: you know, on the topic of socks as well. So 339 00:15:11,239 --> 00:15:13,869 Speaker 2: I had students who told me they work in certain industries, 340 00:15:14,039 --> 00:15:17,039 Speaker 2: colorful socks were not allowed. Yeah, I know, so they 341 00:15:17,039 --> 00:15:18,330 Speaker 2: had to wear like. 342 00:15:20,739 --> 00:15:23,219 Speaker 2: And then they were also told by their bosses, right, OK, 343 00:15:23,359 --> 00:15:26,109 Speaker 2: the socks must be high enough to cover every bit 344 00:15:26,109 --> 00:15:28,229 Speaker 2: of their legs. Yeah, so it's like when they sit 345 00:15:28,229 --> 00:15:30,359 Speaker 2: down for meetings, they cannot see bare skin. 346 00:15:30,799 --> 00:15:32,859 Speaker 2: But I really want to stress we don't need to 347 00:15:32,859 --> 00:15:35,900 Speaker 2: spend on branded clothes per se. Some things can be 348 00:15:35,900 --> 00:15:38,900 Speaker 2: of quality, we don't have to spend like humongous amounts 349 00:15:38,900 --> 00:15:40,729 Speaker 2: of money for it. I'm glad that you brought up 350 00:15:40,729 --> 00:15:43,090 Speaker 2: the idea that it doesn't have to be too expensive 351 00:15:43,090 --> 00:15:45,340 Speaker 2: to do that. If I could end this podcast with 352 00:15:45,340 --> 00:15:47,299 Speaker 2: all of you with just one final piece of, I 353 00:15:47,299 --> 00:15:49,820 Speaker 2: would say a tip for people who want to celebrate 354 00:15:49,820 --> 00:15:53,500 Speaker 2: their individuality without sacrificing themselves, I think it's important to 355 00:15:53,500 --> 00:15:56,049 Speaker 2: identify something. Different businesses have what we call 356 00:15:56,286 --> 00:15:59,046 Speaker 2: hero product, right? But I think every single person we 357 00:15:59,046 --> 00:16:02,005 Speaker 2: have a hero like maybe accessory or we want to 358 00:16:02,005 --> 00:16:05,026 Speaker 2: be known for a style. Yeah. So for example, I 359 00:16:05,026 --> 00:16:07,666 Speaker 2: have students who say, I really love, for example, cuffs, 360 00:16:07,846 --> 00:16:10,096 Speaker 2: like cuffs on my arm. I said, yes, great, then 361 00:16:10,096 --> 00:16:12,606 Speaker 2: choose that one and see how you can accessorize that 362 00:16:12,606 --> 00:16:15,726 Speaker 2: with various outfits. Or some students they are like, I 363 00:16:15,726 --> 00:16:19,335 Speaker 2: really like this color. Great, then go and find this color, 364 00:16:19,526 --> 00:16:21,426 Speaker 2: a jacket, a top, a belt. 365 00:16:21,661 --> 00:16:25,552 Speaker 2: Shoes, socks, and use that to celebrate your individuality. Miss Yvonne, 366 00:16:25,591 --> 00:16:28,311 Speaker 2: I love earrings. Yeah, but I was telling some of 367 00:16:28,312 --> 00:16:30,392 Speaker 2: them that you do not have to wear 10 earrings 368 00:16:30,392 --> 00:16:34,262 Speaker 2: on one year, maybe max 23, depending on the style, 369 00:16:34,471 --> 00:16:37,351 Speaker 2: and people who know me will know that I love capes. Yeah, 370 00:16:37,442 --> 00:16:39,861 Speaker 2: so that's like a little cape right now. Yeah, and 371 00:16:39,861 --> 00:16:42,791 Speaker 2: it's very superhero like. Exactly, I love that also because 372 00:16:42,791 --> 00:16:46,552 Speaker 2: in Singapore's weather, capes gives me that formality. 373 00:16:46,867 --> 00:16:49,538 Speaker 2: keeps me cool and it's something that some of my 374 00:16:49,538 --> 00:16:52,138 Speaker 2: students adopted. Oh yeah, Ms. Yvonne, you're right. And for 375 00:16:52,138 --> 00:16:54,658 Speaker 2: some of them, they use capes, they use blazers, for 376 00:16:54,658 --> 00:16:57,177 Speaker 2: the gentlemen, there is this like tie that they, yeah 377 00:16:57,177 --> 00:16:58,978 Speaker 2: they tell me they keep wearing like I want to 378 00:16:58,978 --> 00:17:01,648 Speaker 2: look younger, but look formal, so they wear skinny ties 379 00:17:01,648 --> 00:17:05,218 Speaker 2: and that's acceptable for their industry. I really believe that 380 00:17:05,218 --> 00:17:09,338 Speaker 2: we can still be who we are professionally, formally, without 381 00:17:09,338 --> 00:17:11,458 Speaker 2: sacrificing what we want to bring to the table and 382 00:17:11,458 --> 00:17:12,177 Speaker 2: what we want others to. 383 00:17:12,343 --> 00:17:15,364 Speaker 2: of us. We don't want to be misunderstood simply because 384 00:17:15,364 --> 00:17:18,083 Speaker 2: of our dressing. And if all else fails, just look 385 00:17:18,083 --> 00:17:20,323 Speaker 2: around the office. If you don't know what's acceptable, just 386 00:17:20,323 --> 00:17:22,843 Speaker 2: see what other people are wearing and then go, OK, 387 00:17:22,923 --> 00:17:24,883 Speaker 2: let me try and mimic that style, and let's see 388 00:17:24,884 --> 00:17:26,803 Speaker 2: if it suits you. If it doesn't, of course, then 389 00:17:26,803 --> 00:17:29,124 Speaker 2: you can look for another style in the office. Yeah, 390 00:17:29,203 --> 00:17:32,004 Speaker 2: I just buy a color underwear. OK, thank you so much. 391 00:17:32,443 --> 00:17:35,004 Speaker 2: Thank you, thank you. Well, thanks so much, Yvonne for 392 00:17:35,004 --> 00:17:37,514 Speaker 2: coming in. Thank you, Tiffany. Thank you. Thank you. 393 00:17:41,699 --> 00:17:44,959 Speaker 2: Hello there. It's our Ask Me Anything segment where Gerald 394 00:17:44,959 --> 00:17:48,170 Speaker 2: and I will answer a work-related question that you have sent. 395 00:17:48,380 --> 00:17:51,180 Speaker 2: So do continue to send us these questions. Let's dive 396 00:17:51,180 --> 00:17:52,300 Speaker 2: straight into today's one. 397 00:17:53,219 --> 00:17:56,550 Speaker 2: Our listener Gregory wrote in saying, and I'll read, I 398 00:17:56,550 --> 00:17:59,819 Speaker 2: suspect my colleague is thinking of quitting. This will impact 399 00:17:59,819 --> 00:18:02,260 Speaker 2: my work because I'll have to do his job while 400 00:18:02,260 --> 00:18:05,729 Speaker 2: the company finds his replacement. I want to be mentally 401 00:18:05,729 --> 00:18:08,339 Speaker 2: prepared for this, so what are the signs that this 402 00:18:08,339 --> 00:18:12,369 Speaker 2: colleague is going to do it? Gerald, what are the signs? 403 00:18:13,660 --> 00:18:17,150 Speaker 2: Judging by a lot of coffee conversations or lunch breaks, right, 404 00:18:17,300 --> 00:18:20,339 Speaker 2: don't everybody want to quit? Everybody just said, I'm so stressed. 405 00:18:20,420 --> 00:18:22,060 Speaker 2: I want to quit and I quit, but I tell you, 406 00:18:22,069 --> 00:18:24,750 Speaker 2: the people who complain the most often stay the longest. 407 00:18:24,900 --> 00:18:26,899 Speaker 2: Oh yes, I know a particular person. Yes, yes, I 408 00:18:26,900 --> 00:18:28,609 Speaker 2: have that in my mind right now. Yeah, so I 409 00:18:28,609 --> 00:18:29,159 Speaker 2: don't know Tiffany. 410 00:18:29,555 --> 00:18:32,313 Speaker 2: Experience, what are some of the signs that someone will 411 00:18:32,314 --> 00:18:37,554 Speaker 2: be quitting soon. Maybe somebody who is constantly missing in action, MIA, 412 00:18:37,944 --> 00:18:40,464 Speaker 2: especially with work from home right now, if you're trying 413 00:18:40,464 --> 00:18:42,824 Speaker 2: to like ping them or asking them like, oh, can 414 00:18:42,824 --> 00:18:45,545 Speaker 2: you give me some answers and then they are just missing. 415 00:18:45,839 --> 00:18:47,800 Speaker 2: You know, then I don't know, then you start thinking 416 00:18:47,800 --> 00:18:50,050 Speaker 2: to yourself, do they go for interviews exactly are they 417 00:18:50,050 --> 00:18:52,569 Speaker 2: like on an interview right now? Could be also like 418 00:18:52,569 --> 00:18:55,280 Speaker 2: just the mood in general. It's almost like they're just 419 00:18:55,280 --> 00:18:58,919 Speaker 2: slogging and they are just dragging their bodies to work. 420 00:18:59,010 --> 00:19:02,540 Speaker 2: They're not excited, they're not coming up with ideas and meetings, 421 00:19:02,569 --> 00:19:05,089 Speaker 2: very disengaged. I think in general for me I would 422 00:19:05,089 --> 00:19:08,199 Speaker 2: see it as like, are they consistent with previous behavior. 423 00:19:08,449 --> 00:19:12,010 Speaker 2: So if previously if they are always engaging, they are at. 424 00:19:12,427 --> 00:19:13,828 Speaker 2: giving out their ideas and then all of a sudden 425 00:19:13,828 --> 00:19:15,988 Speaker 2: it's like they fall off the cliff. Then I would 426 00:19:15,988 --> 00:19:18,108 Speaker 2: say that's when you can kind of see that maybe 427 00:19:18,108 --> 00:19:20,027 Speaker 2: there's a shift. I mean, it could be many factors, 428 00:19:20,067 --> 00:19:22,988 Speaker 2: could be something happening at home or whatever, but likely 429 00:19:22,988 --> 00:19:24,858 Speaker 2: so I think they might be feeling a bit burnt out, 430 00:19:24,907 --> 00:19:26,727 Speaker 2: maybe thinking of a new job. It's possible. I mean, 431 00:19:26,787 --> 00:19:28,588 Speaker 2: the point here that I'm picking up from you is 432 00:19:28,588 --> 00:19:31,427 Speaker 2: the change in behavior. It can be worse behavior. It 433 00:19:31,427 --> 00:19:33,227 Speaker 2: can also be better behavior. If you've seen those who 434 00:19:33,228 --> 00:19:36,786 Speaker 2: are very happy, very happy, then they, they know that 435 00:19:36,787 --> 00:19:38,267 Speaker 2: they are going to leave. They can see the light. 436 00:19:39,385 --> 00:19:41,715 Speaker 2: That's why then they feel like I'm going to tender 437 00:19:41,715 --> 00:19:44,375 Speaker 2: very soon. They look very happy. So when you see 438 00:19:44,375 --> 00:19:46,245 Speaker 2: colleagues like that, you might wonder, like, is it find 439 00:19:46,244 --> 00:19:49,885 Speaker 2: new girlfriend or or a baby being born or the 440 00:19:49,885 --> 00:19:52,484 Speaker 2: baby born you will know, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah, because 441 00:19:52,484 --> 00:19:54,325 Speaker 2: you have to take leave, right? One of the things 442 00:19:54,326 --> 00:19:57,206 Speaker 2: I've noticed is how people also use LinkedIn. Their activity 443 00:19:57,205 --> 00:19:59,645 Speaker 2: on LinkedIn actually signals a little bit about whether are 444 00:19:59,645 --> 00:20:01,515 Speaker 2: they looking for a job or not. So for example, 445 00:20:01,605 --> 00:20:04,625 Speaker 2: if they're posting more content, if they are sharing content, 446 00:20:04,913 --> 00:20:08,383 Speaker 2: engaging with people on LinkedIn. If they change the headline 447 00:20:08,384 --> 00:20:11,302 Speaker 2: to open to work, for example, then that's why you know, eh, 448 00:20:11,463 --> 00:20:13,144 Speaker 2: how come you're open to work? I don't know why 449 00:20:13,144 --> 00:20:15,063 Speaker 2: people do that, but I guess you really feel that 450 00:20:15,063 --> 00:20:16,904 Speaker 2: like it's fine anyway, I don't care if my boss 451 00:20:16,904 --> 00:20:19,023 Speaker 2: sees it. I'm open to work. So that's definitely one 452 00:20:19,023 --> 00:20:20,744 Speaker 2: of the other ways that you might be wondering why 453 00:20:20,744 --> 00:20:23,024 Speaker 2: did your colleagues start to do that, right? Of course, 454 00:20:23,144 --> 00:20:26,193 Speaker 2: we talked about sudden changes of mood, it can be positive, negative, 455 00:20:26,384 --> 00:20:29,423 Speaker 2: and the sudden urgent leave. I suddenly have to take 456 00:20:29,423 --> 00:20:31,114 Speaker 2: urgent leave. Why? 457 00:20:31,281 --> 00:20:34,802 Speaker 2: Some personal matters to attend. So besides thinking about like 458 00:20:34,802 --> 00:20:36,241 Speaker 2: when is my colleague going to quit, I think look 459 00:20:36,241 --> 00:20:38,321 Speaker 2: at this as an opportunity as well for you. I 460 00:20:38,321 --> 00:20:40,241 Speaker 2: know you have to do your job, do your colleague's 461 00:20:40,241 --> 00:20:42,561 Speaker 2: job as well. Sounds like double work. Maybe look at 462 00:20:42,561 --> 00:20:45,751 Speaker 2: it as, is there a possibility to increase your pay 463 00:20:46,082 --> 00:20:48,082 Speaker 2: because you're taking on bigger job scope, have a conversation 464 00:20:48,082 --> 00:20:49,920 Speaker 2: with your boss to merge the roles if possible, because 465 00:20:49,921 --> 00:20:52,121 Speaker 2: that has been done before, especially if you feel that 466 00:20:52,121 --> 00:20:54,722 Speaker 2: the job and the work itself is doable and very 467 00:20:54,722 --> 00:20:57,312 Speaker 2: complimenting to what you do. Maybe you could be helping 468 00:20:57,311 --> 00:20:57,462 Speaker 2: your 469 00:20:57,650 --> 00:21:00,180 Speaker 2: Yeah, and have a chat with these colleagues if you're 470 00:21:00,180 --> 00:21:01,859 Speaker 2: close enough, you know, maybe you can find out if 471 00:21:01,859 --> 00:21:04,739 Speaker 2: they are unhappy. Maybe they are thinking of job hunting, 472 00:21:04,780 --> 00:21:07,560 Speaker 2: they haven't really started, but essentially they are unhappy first. 473 00:21:07,810 --> 00:21:11,099 Speaker 2: Then you know, Gregory could perhaps even be the sounding 474 00:21:11,099 --> 00:21:13,839 Speaker 2: board and helping this person, you know, and helps Gregory 475 00:21:13,839 --> 00:21:16,938 Speaker 2: as well because Gregory then kind of knows the timeline. Gregory, 476 00:21:17,020 --> 00:21:19,619 Speaker 2: like you say, can make future plans. Tell your, right, 477 00:21:19,660 --> 00:21:21,180 Speaker 2: let me know let me know so that I can 478 00:21:21,180 --> 00:21:23,739 Speaker 2: also tender at the same time. 479 00:21:24,020 --> 00:21:26,800 Speaker 2: Well, if like Gregory, you have a work-related question, do 480 00:21:26,800 --> 00:21:30,329 Speaker 2: write to us. We are at CNA podcasts at Medcorp.com.sg. 481 00:21:30,630 --> 00:21:34,229 Speaker 2: We're also on Spotify, Apple Podcast and YouTube, where a 482 00:21:34,229 --> 00:21:37,030 Speaker 2: video version of this is at. The team behind the 483 00:21:37,030 --> 00:21:40,629 Speaker 2: Work It podcast is Christina Robert, Joanne Chan, Junai Johari 484 00:21:40,630 --> 00:21:43,869 Speaker 2: and Sai Ye Wind. Sound mixing is by Cary Lim, 485 00:21:44,150 --> 00:21:47,469 Speaker 2: video by Reza Rahman and Hanida Amin. I'm Gerald and 486 00:21:47,469 --> 00:21:51,188 Speaker 2: I'm Tiffany. Here's wishing you the best work week ahead.