Patrick Kim Cheng Low, Ali Yusob Md Zain and Sik-Liong Ang
The paper’s purpose is to examine the key principles of managing people in the Bruneian environment. The method used in this study is qualitative research method. To have a deeper understanding of the interviewees’ thinking and perceptions of the key principle of managing people, the researchers interviewed civil servants as well as employees from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Brunei. The study samples consisted of thirty-four (34) people, age ranging from 41 to 57 years old, whom the researchers knew/or were referred to them by contacts. Majority of the interviewees responded that managers must be trustworthy and lead by example; they must communicate and listen to their employees while gaining their support and commitment. Furthermore, they should stand tall in face of adversity while being of high integrity so that they can galvanise a high sense of unity among their employees within the work unit. These principles of managing people indicated by the Bruneian civil servants, employers and employees are very much similar and in line with what were mentioned in the Sultan of Brunei’s Titah (55th royal birthday speech). To-date, no similar study has yet been carried out in Brunei. These findings hold relevance to Bruneian employees in term of understanding the key principles based on which Bruneian managers must lead their employees.
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