STRESS, SUCCESS AND EVERYTHING IN-BETWEEN
The Highs and Lows of A Woman’s Journey in the Corporate World
CARE: This is Chapter 13 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.
Well, readers! As shared in the previous anecdote, everyone in the Bank was NOT against women colleagues. Many others respected them for their knowledge and recognised their merit. Let me tell you about one such incident.
One fine Sunday morning in Lucknow, I got a call from a gentleman who had cleared the written test and had received an interview call from the bank where I had joined a few months ago. He requested to meet me to get some guidance for his forthcoming interview. I suggested he come over to my place in the afternoon.
Come afternoon, he reached my house punctually at the agreed time. Our interaction turned out to be surprisingly smooth. He had this warm, easy-going vibe about him with no airs and formality. I shared with him whatever I thought was the right thing to do.
As months passed, word got back that this young man had been selected for the bank and was now one batch junior to me. I was happy to learn of his selection. Strangely enough, it felt like my own personal success.
Life moved on. I got married in 1973 and took a transfer to Delhi, forgetting all about it.
Meanwhile, this young man excelled in his career, taking quick strides up the corporate ladder. He had become the poster boy of competence and dynamism in the bank. I was in another circle, busy in my worlds, professional and domestic, blissfully unaware of his steady professional rise.
Fast forward nearly three decades, and what a surprise! He landed in Delhi as my boss. When I met him to introduce myself, he got up from his chair to greet me. What warmed my heart was that he remembered every word of our initial chat. The respect he showed to me was unexpected, and I couldn't help but feel overjoyed for him. He spared no opportunity to share this old connection publicly and projected me as his first mentor at every forum.
As fate would have it, he became my immediate superior on two subsequent occasions. He kept mentioning me as his Guru at all fora and invariably extended courtesy and respect. He was a hard taskmaster, and I remained his trusted right-hand person in whatever position I held.
That simple, friendly chat from 1972 developed into a lifelong family friendship. Apart from all the perks and opportunities I received from the bank during my 38+ years of service, I also made some lifelong friends, he being one of the important ones.
(To be continued...)
*****
7 comments:
Simply outstanding! Please break suspense Tell us the name of the BOSS.
Simply outstanding!
Please break suspense now and tell the name of the BOSS.
Quick please
Nice to read. I have known many 1972 batch P.Os. whose brilliance
was outstanding.Having worked as their subordinate as also
getting opportunity to be with one of them for more than a week while he was on deputation to the place where I was posted,in connection with
preparation of District Credit Plan for the Distt. The way he
interacted with the Dy. Commissioner not only floored me but
also impressed the D.C.,who was a fairly senior I.A.S.
Madam, I may have gone out of context but surely I have high regards
for you for being the nice person. I remember that while being relieved
from Chandigarh Circle on my promotion to Scale VI, I met all the seniors.
You were the only person, other than my boss, who spared some time to talk to me and offered me to have coffee/cold drink. That created a respectful memory etched
in my mind. Regards.
cold drink
Much impressed by this chapter of the story which offers a touching story that draw special attention to the importance of mentorship, relationships, and the unexpected ways in which they can shape one's journey of life in the corporate world.
Also provides an insightful glimpse into the world of corporate life, particularly for women.
The story of mentoring the future boss in 1972 is a heartwarming example of how support and guidance can shape careers.
The anxiety and desire to provide the best guidance come through authentically in your narrative.
The respect and gratitude displayed by the young man towards his mentor add depth to the narrative.
The write up captured not only the professional aspects of a long career but also the formation of lasting friendships within the corporate world is commendable. This particular chapter highlights the value of mentorship, not just in terms of career advancement but also in forging meaningful connections that last a lifetime.
Very nice boy I do respect him. Wish him good health and happiness always. Pity you didn't disclose his name Ranjana. Nice reading the article.....Shanta Vasan
Very nicely narrated. Relationships which develop out of strange coincidences are very deep and long living. This is my experience also.
...Krishna Mohan Trivedi
Ranjana has always been helpful and gracious. The person you helped maintained his respect for you, which speaks highly of him too. (Varsha Uke Nagpal)
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