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The dynamics of workplace culture and human resource development have attracted much attention in recent years. With the increasing of globalisation and the knowledge economy, the nature of employment and the workplace culture is fast changing. Knowledge and skills in information technology (IT) are fast becoming prerequisites for employment. Employees with IT literacy have an advantage over traditional employees. In this context, to what extent do current employees take measures to prepare themselves? At the same time, do employers provide opportunities for their employees to update their knowledge and skills to face the new workplace challenges? Research has shown that the investment in intellectual capital is a critical factor that will determine the competitiveness of nations in the new economy. Besides the knowledge and technical skills, generic and transferable skills, such as interpersonal, communication, thinking, problem solving and research skills should be incorporated in training programs to enable employees become effective workers in the global economy. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the workplace culture and the capabilities of Malaysian workers to cope with the challenges of the new economy with the objective of determining the following: 1) the workers' perceptions regarding their leadership skills; 2) the extent to which workers possess effective interpersonal skills; 3) the level of workers' job satisfaction; 4) the workers' willingness to enhance their knowledge and skills; 5) the workers' level of IT skills; 6) the workers' work ethics. Overall, the study concluded that the Malaysian workers perceive that they possess adequate competency in leadership, self-development and IT, but they are uncertain regarding job-satisfaction and work ethics.