Soumya tells us about the mantra for success that a rookie received from a senior. Did he heed to his advice? An exclusive for Different Truths.  

He was an eager young rookie, in his early twenties, barely out of college, finding his way around the maze of the public sector corporate world.

He was attending his debut budget meeting, where performances are analysed, targets set, and strategy debated, postings decided; at least that is what he thought.

A new branch office had been recently opened in the heart of the capital, and our young hero was sent to man it until a suitable head is decided upon.

Full of enthusiasm, our greenhorn had bustled about and won several new accounts; the crowning glory of which came when he reached an agreement with an equally young and enthusiastic IAS officer and acquired a new business of what was a princely sum in those days. It was a big breakthrough for the region. He, therefore, was brimming with confidence and excited over his virgin evaluation by the exalted regional head, a veteran Sikh gentleman.

The meeting seemed to be carried out entirely in Punjabi, which was the language most of his colleagues spoke. The other branch heads were all battle-scarred veteran salespeople, more than twice our hero’s age. The venue was the company guesthouse, a spacious bungalow in a posh neighbourhood. No business was discussed, but whiskey and jokes flowed unchecked, and a good time was being had by all, including our rookie. Undaunted by the occasion, he too imbibed merrily, and shared witticisms in his pidgin Punjabi.

Finally, the big boss summoned him. But to his puzzlement, he was led out into the backyard with a friendly arm around his shoulder, glass in hand.

There, the venerable regional chief proceeded to give the young hero the best advice he could get, much like Lord Krishna’s discourse to the nervous Partha.

Although this Geeta Saar was delivered in Punjabiised Hindi, I shall translate it into English for the uninitiated reader. Those savvy can retranslate in their mind for the full flavour.

“Listen son, I want to tell you something important. I am speaking with a whisky glass in hand, so I am speaking the truth.

We made you a Branch Incharge, but you did not show any gratitude. We, therefore, had decided to remove you after this meeting. You, however, managed to pull this coup, and even the corporate office is impressed. Thus, you are safe. If you continue to perform like this, we cannot touch a hair of your head, despite your arrogance and lack of proper deference and gratitude.

Remember this, to survive in the company; you can do one of two things. Be of service to your superiors, do Seva, or you can perform. If you do both, no one can match you, you too even become a General Manager, or even Chairman. But you have to do at least one. Out of the two, serving your superiors, or Seva, is the best. Then, multitudes of faults are overlooked, and mistakes excused. In performance, you may survive with your impudence if you keep up a super track record, but we will be watching you. The first mistake and you are toast.”

The young man ruminated over these gems of wisdom. It has stood the test of time. He has seen many colleagues practice the first and prosper. He has seen a few try the second and be ruined. He has seen even fewer try the golden combo and blossom. He himself, thanks to his contrary nature, stuck to the second, at a great cost, suffered some serious setbacks, but undaunted, continued to strive bull headedly, continued to reach new milestones, and marked out a niche for himself. He was fortunate later in his career to encounter professional bosses who appreciated his work ethic and style, He ultimately did almost reach the dizzying ranks promised by his first boss as a reward for achieving the golden double but did so on his own terms.

He continues to appreciate the truth in the valuable lesson learnt from this initial guru.

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Soumya Mukherjee

Soumya Mukherjee is an alumnus of St Stephens College and Delhi School of Economics. He earns his daily bread by working for a PSU Insurance company, and lectures for peanuts. His other passions, family, friends, films, travel, food, trekking, wildlife, music, theater, and occasionally, writing. He has been published in many national newspapers of repute. He has published his first novel, Memories, a novella, hopefully, the first of his many books. He blogs as well.