STRESS, SUCCESS AND EVERYTHING IN-BETWEEN
The Highs and Lows of A Woman’s Journey in the Corporate World
CARE: This is Chapter 75 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 right from Chapter 01 onwards, link given below:
https://ranjanabharij.blogspot.com/2023/06/stress-success-and-everything-in.html
https://ranjanabharij.blogspot.com/2023/06/stress-success-and-everything-in.html
A year had passed, but the sting of my previous rejection still throbbed. The words of the Chairman of the Interview Board, a cruel indictment of my gender, continued to echo in my mind. It was a wound that had refused to heal.
But hope, a fragile bloom, dared to rise its head again as the Bank summoned me for another interview. Favourable recommendations had paved the way, and anticipation stirred within me. I delved into my studies, though a sense of cynicism clouded my efforts this time.
A chance encounter with a fellow batchmate shattered my optimism. His derisive laughter and cynical advice, steeped in the bitterness of nepotism, cut deep. "Prostrate yourself before the top man. There is no other way to get your promotion," he sneered, his words a stark reflection of the system.
I rejected his proposal, determined to earn my promotion through merit, not by sycophancy. I returned home, my heart heavy with despair. But fueled by a mix of hope and positivity, I once again immersed myself in my studies to update my knowledge of banking.
Years later, working within the corridors of power, I discovered the harsh reality. At the last moment, my name was removed from the list of successful candidates to accommodate a well-connected candidate.
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11 comments:
How disgusting very difficult to swallow.
Shanta Vasan
There is a clear bias here against people you do not know personally. Or perhaps it is the bias against the female officers .
My experience was similar. I was a bit lucky in the sense that I wasn't in Delhi circle, a lousy place it is. People are what they are.
Secondly I was chosen for assignments where I was in close contact with the CMC. That coupled with the fact that my work was good ensured many promotions without any hiccups. Unless people know you, and your work, chances are high that you may miss out.
That is particularly true of females, a Miss or a Mrs. I am certain that if people who decided knew about the performance and work quality, you would not have missed out.
One of my well wishers had cautioned me early about my lack of PR ... that could be an obstacle to going up in hierarchy. But I couldn't change myself. No way.
When I was in CMC I made attempts to actually know about high performing chaps to be able to minimise this factor. Only God is my witness as are the HR boys. To institutionalise it, I tried a scheme wherein we gave a choice of postings to really good performers.
Problem is that people down the line didn't do it. अकेला चना भाड़ नहीं फोड़ सकता। Team work is essential but what I was trying to do went against the culture of the organisation.
Men too go through such experiences.My father had this experience when a Rajendra Prasad spoke to JRD just one day before the confirmation after his working for 364 days in that post.He was appointed in that after a written test for all of them.In my husband's case once it was given to a B person and another time to an AI. E se taqdeer ka knel hi khel samaj kar kabhi kabhi chup bhi rahna padta hai parivar ke khatir bhi. This life.
Indira Narasimhan
Ma'am,Your story is a powerful testament to resilience and integrity in the face of systemic unfairness. It's disheartening how merit often takes a backseat to nepotism, but your unwavering spirit and refusal to compromise on your principles stand out as truly commendable. The strength you displayed then, and the lessons you share now, will undoubtedly inspire many. It’s a reminder that while the system may fail us, our values and determination remain unbroken.
Sagar Mazumdar
Ranjana your documentation of your experiences will surely be useful for both the management as well as the people who are affected viz those who have to appear for interviews.
Management may be able to face their own biases and understand how these biases affect people who work hard to be able to go up in their careers.
Hopefully management will read these posts- somehow or other.
Varsha Uke Nagpal
Sad.
KBS Bedi
It is still the same, I have learnt from so many. For promotions, one has to be in the good books of the top management.
Ashok Kumar Goyal
Your narrative portrays the struggle against systemic injustice, where merit often takes a backseat to connections.
Your refusal to bow to unethical practices is both admirable and inspiring, showcasing your determination to uphold personal values in the face of adversity.
‘Shattered Dreams, Unbroken Spirits’ is not just a story of personal defeat but is a call for systemic reform, and a reminder of the importance of integrity in professional life.
Gulshan Kumar Dhingra
Shameful!
Rakesh Govil
I love how your story highlights that some are hardworking and some hardly working but both are working.
Rukkie Oberoi
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