Archive - Career Candour

GDP Per Capita: The Number That Makes Indonesia Look Richer (and the Public Feel Poorer)

Indonesia’s GDP per capita suggests prosperity, but income data, inequality, and informal work reveal a population still far from middle-class security.

Jan 11 • Leigh McKiernon

December 2025

Indonesia’s Startup Boom, Bust, and the Cost of Weaponized Nationalism

Indonesia’s startup crash wasn’t accidental. It was fueled by nationalism, weak governance, and wealth extraction disguised as patriotism.

Dec 21, 2025 • Leigh McKiernon

Why Isn’t Indonesia a Tourism Superpower Yet?

Indonesia has world class tourism assets but trails regional rivals in visitor numbers. Why does the gap exist and what could change in the next five…

Dec 14, 2025 • Leigh McKiernon

GDP, Gojek, and the Indonesian Illusion: What Happens in a Post-Commodities World?

Indonesia aims to be the 4th largest economy, yet its reliance on fading commodities and weak human capital raises urgent questions about the next…

Dec 7, 2025 • Leigh McKiernon

The Expat Saviour Complex: A Field Guide to the Last Remaining Colonial Superhero

In 2025, the expat saviour complex should be dead. It isn’t. Here’s why that’s funny, frustrating, and still happening in boardrooms across Jakarta.

Dec 5, 2025 • Leigh McKiernon

How Fair Pay, Better Training, and Less Exploitation Could Transform Indonesia’s Recruitment Sector

Indonesia’s recruitment sector isn’t broken by clients, but by internal economics. Here’s why better pay, training and fairness are the real solution.

Dec 3, 2025 • Leigh McKiernon

Danantara and the Indonesian SOE Diet Plan: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

Danantara aims to transform Indonesia’s SOEs, but legal uncertainty and political exposure scare off the talent needed to deliver real reform.

Dec 2, 2025 • Leigh McKiernon

Impostor Syndrome: Everyone’s a Fraud (But Some of Us Make It Look Professional)

Learn why impostor syndrome persists even among top performers, and how workplace culture quietly fuels this invisible crisis.

Dec 1, 2025 • Leigh McKiernon

November 2025

Employee Development in Indonesia: A Great Way to Lose Talent, Time, and the Future

Southeast Asia’s talent development is failing and how excuses, short‑termism and leadership gaps threaten long‑term competitiveness.

Nov 30, 2025 • Leigh McKiernon

Indonesia’s Talent Competitiveness Score Is Up. Great News, Right? Well… Not Really.

Indonesia wants to lead Southeast Asia, but GTCI data says otherwise. Talent stagnation, policy gaps, and resistance to change are holding it back.

Nov 28, 2025 • Leigh McKiernon

In Indonesia's Recruitment Industry, Madness Isn’t the Exception... It’s the Business Model

Recruiters in Indonesia want to form a governing body. Sounds good, until they suggest price fixing. It gets worse from there.

Nov 27, 2025 • Leigh McKiernon

The Southeast Asian VC Money Drought (That Isn’t Actually a Drought)

Startups blame capital scarcity. The data says otherwise. Here's why VCs in SEA are sitting on money, and who they’re choosing to fund instead.

Nov 26, 2025 • Leigh McKiernon

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