Bully in a business suit

Bully in a business suit

February 2012

By Life Positive

I was on cloud nine a few years ago. Having stayed in the USA for six years with a management degree from there,

I had easily found a MNC job in India with a six-digit salary. I was proud of myself and my newly-acquired status.

One day, a friend of mine invited me for a birthday party at one of the best clubs in the city.

It was a rainy day. My parents and I reached the gate of the club but an old watchman stopped me from entering in as I was not a regular visitor there. My ego was hurt. I called up my friend and complained. I shouted at the watchman for his adamant and arrogant approach. I even escalated the issue by complaining about his poor customer service to his manager. Eventually, the gates opened and I walked in triumphantly.

On reaching home, my mother summoned me. She told me that she was deeply disappointed with the way she had brought me up and was ashamed of the way I had dealt with the old watchman. She stopped talking to me thereafter. That whole night I could not sleep. I realised that I had made a mistake. I could have handled the situation with love and respect instead of power and ego.

Yes, I did not learn empathy, love, affection and power of humanity in the graduate school. Next morning, I decided to apologise to the watchman and give him some gifts as well. My mother, however, remarked that if my motive was to fix my mistake, I would forget the incident in couple of days. I wouldn’t attempt to change myself. She wanted me to remember that each and every person was worthy of dignity and respect. In a year’s time, I mastered the art of empathy and companionship. Not only did it reflect on the personal front, but I became a good people manager at work too. Most of my team members consider me a confidante. I am not simply a manager, but their coach and mentor too. Thanks, mum, for being my mentor and showing the power of love, human values and relationships.

Janani via email