Why it matters
Gotong royong is the Indonesian and Malay tradition of mutual cooperation, where a community comes together to complete shared work. In organisations, it flattens hierarchy, builds belonging and reminds people that everyone contributes.
How to run it
- Choose a shared project with visible, tangible value.
- Mix the teams across functions and levels.
- Work side by side — leaders included, doing the same work.
- Share a meal afterwards and reflect on what was achieved together.
Watch out for
- Leaders turning up for photos only
- Projects with no real value to the community