In the control room of her palm oil mill, Hana was monitoring the boiler pressure when the radio crackled with breaking news from Jakarta. Images of protests, burning parliament buildings, and angry crowds filled the screen.
One line caught her attention: “A politician called protesters ‘the stupidest people in the world.’”
Hana froze. She wasn’t in Jakarta, but the words echoed in her heart. She knew from experience that words can ignite fire more dangerous than steam pressure in a boiler [1].
Workers Listening Closely
That afternoon, during her routine walkabout, Hana overheard two workers.
“We work hard, but sometimes I feel the bosses don’t understand us,” one muttered.
“Yes, it’s like they see us as just numbers, not people,” replied another.
Hana’s chest tightened. She thought of the harsh minister’s words. If leaders in her own mill spoke carelessly, trust would collapse, and discontent would spread just as it had on the streets of Jakarta [2].
Boiler and Human Pressure
She turned to the boiler, releasing a controlled blowdown. Steam hissed out, pressure eased.
“This is just like people,” she whispered. “If pressure builds and leaders ignore or mock it, an explosion is inevitable.”
She realized the riot in Indonesia was not just about money — it was about dignity [3]. The minister’s harsh remark stripped people of respect.
Hana’s Response
That evening, Hana gathered her supervisors.
- She reminded them that tone and words matter as much as instructions.
- She urged them to listen before judging, and to never dismiss workers’ grievances as trivial [4].
- She promised to set aside weekly sessions for open dialogue — not just about production, but about people’s lives.
“We cannot control politics in Jakarta,” Hana said, “but in this mill, our words can either build trust or burn bridges.”
A Quiet Revolution
Over time, workers noticed the change. Instead of orders barked across the shop floor, supervisors listened first. Hana herself often walked into the canteen, asking, “How’s your family?”
The atmosphere shifted. Output didn’t just rise from machines, but from morale [5].
🌟 The Lesson
The riot outside became a mirror inside: leadership is not only about systems and wages, but also about respect and words [6].
Hana realized:
- A careless comment can trigger distrust.
- Respect builds resilience in times of crisis.
- Leaders must “release pressure” by opening channels for listening.
Standing under the mill’s night sky, Hana whispered:
“Great power does not only bring responsibility. It brings the duty to speak with compassion.”
📚 References / Footnotes
- Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Bantam Books.
- Edmondson, A. (2019). The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth. Wiley.
- Tyler, T.R. (2006). Why People Obey the Law. Princeton University Press.
- Covey, S.R. (1989). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Free Press.
- Cameron, K.S., & Spreitzer, G.M. (2012). The Oxford Handbook of Positive Organizational Scholarship. Oxford University Press.
- Kouzes, J.M., & Posner, B.Z. (2017). The Leadership Challenge. Wiley.
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