STRESS, SUCCESS AND EVERYTHING IN-BETWEEN
The Highs and Lows of A Woman’s Journey in the Corporate World
CARE: This is Chapter 12 of my book Stress, Success and Everything In-Between. These are individual anecdotes but to understand the professional journey in totality, I would recommend reading the book from Chapter 01 onwards.
The arrival of five women in the bank in one batch had stirred insecurity among many male colleagues.
Several junior officers standing behind him nodded in
agreement.
The Chairman responded with ease, "My dear
friend, you may not know that many of them hold science post-graduate degrees
and possess better mathematical skills than you and I. Besides, is advanced
mathematics required in banking? Mostly, it's just counting from 1 to
100."
However, Mr Verma, speaking on behalf of the local male
officers, remained unconvinced. He added, "The way you're hiring women
officers, it seems that soon all urban branches will be managed by women, while
we men will get postings in distant rural branches."
The Chairman assured him that such an extreme scenario
would not unfold, but Mr Verma persisted in his scepticism. The discussion
continued for a considerable time. The Chairman patiently entertained Mr Verma's concerns
without taking offence at his unrefined and crude expressions of emotions.
All along, I observed the conversation, feeling distressed about the hostility directed toward women officers. The Chairman might have
noticed my discomfiture.
After the get-together concluded, as he was about to leave,
he called me over to his car and offered words of assurance, "Don't let
these outbursts affect you. They are all part of the work life."
He aptly handled the insecurities expressed by my male
colleagues and my subsequent discomfort. That day, I learned a valuable and
practical management lesson, "One should not allow the feathers to get
ruffled under any circumstances."
Having witnessed the insecurity of some colleagues and the dextrous handling of this negative feeling by a seasoned officer gave me a lot of food for thought. My process of learning and development as a manager had
begun.
(To be continued....)
*****
5 comments:
Simply superb, Ranjana ji. Those were the days.
A good way to remember old days. In today's context, it was called appeasement, which was withdrawn in 1990 or so. Both lady and gent officers are getting village posting.
Precious memories, indeed! I had the honour of having been interviewed by Late Sh. RK Talwar for my recruitment as PO to the Bank. Later, he visited our batch during the Induction Course at New Delhi STC. He had the graciousness to remember and recognise me during lunch as he moved among the group! Phenomenal memory and true greatness, indeed!
You recounted a pivotal moment in 1972. The narrative of the arrival of five female colleagues in a bank triggered waves of insecurity among male employees, beautifully captures the essence of this encounter, shedding light on the challenges women faced in a male-dominated corporate environment.
The Chairman of the Bank's response to a male colleague's doubts about recruiting women officers is both enlightening and commendable. His assertion that many of these women possessed excellent mathematical skills was a reminder that stereotypes often do not hold water. Moreover, his calm and patient handling of the situation showcased exemplary leadership.
Your perspective as an observer adds depth to the narrative, emphasizing the discomfort caused by the hostility directed toward women officers. The Chairman's words of reassurance (“Don't let these outbursts affect you. They are all part of the work life.") to you reflects his wisdom in managing such situations, offering a valuable lesson in maintaining composure in the face of adversity.
Overall, this story is a testament to the determination of women in the corporate world.
It highlights the importance of breaking gender stereotypes and the significance of effective leadership in fostering an inclusive workplace. The write up provides us with an insightful glimpse into a transformative moment in your journey, leaving us with a valuable lesson on confidence and the power to overcome insecurity.
You recounted a pivotal moment in 1972. The narrative of the arrival of five female colleagues in a bank triggered waves of insecurity among male employees, beautifully captures the essence of this encounter, shedding light on the challenges women faced in a male-dominated corporate environment.
The Chairman of the Bank's response to a male colleague's doubts about recruiting women officers is both enlightening and commendable. His assertion that many of these women possessed excellent mathematical skills was a reminder that stereotypes often do not hold water. Moreover, his calm and patient handling of the situation showcased exemplary leadership.
Your perspective as an observer adds depth to the narrative, emphasizing the discomfort caused by the hostility directed toward women officers. The Chairman's words of reassurance (“Don't let these outbursts affect you. They are all part of the work life.") to you reflects his wisdom in managing such situations, offering a valuable lesson in maintaining composure in the face of adversity.
Overall, this story is a testament to the determination of women in the corporate world.
It highlights the importance of breaking gender stereotypes and the significance of effective leadership in fostering an inclusive workplace. The write up provides us with an insightful glimpse into a transformative moment in your journey, leaving us with a valuable lesson on confidence and the power to overcome insecurity.
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