STRESS, SUCCESS AND EVERYTHING IN-BETWEEN
The Highs and Lows of A Woman’s Journey in the Corporate World
CARE: This is Chapter 83 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.
When I got posted to the
Corporate Centre, I received a chorus of well-meaning yet slightly ominous
advice. My well-wishers, with varying degrees of concern etched on their faces,
offered a litany of "dos and don'ts" for navigating the treacherous
waters of the Corporate Centre.
"At Corporate
Centre," one whispered, "even the walls have ears. Be very
careful what you say."
"You never know who is
connected to whom," another warned. "Discretion is paramount."
"Refrain from
your...er..brutal honesty," a third advised, a touch of nervousness in
their voice, "especially when speaking to seniors."
The most common refrain,
delivered with an almost religious fervour, was: "Never say no to the
boss. Never. They do not take it well."
The day of reckoning arrived
sooner than I expected. I was scheduled to present a detailed project update to
the top management. My heart pounded as I walked into the imposing boardroom
for the first time in my career.
The top man, a figure of
absolute power and authority, zeroed in on a specific activity. "How long
will this take?" he demanded.
I took a deep breath,
determined to be honest. "With the current resources," I replied,
"it will take at least three weeks."
His face contorted in anger.
"Three weeks!?! I want it done in one!" His voice boomed across the
Board Room, making me flinch.
I stood my ground, though my
insides were churning. "Sir, given the constraints…"
He cut me off. "Mrs.
Bharij! I am disappointed. The spark I saw in you in Chandigarh...it is
gone." The words stung, a public humiliation in front of top management.
My face burned, and a lump formed in my throat, but I forced it down. I would not
let them see tears in my eyes.
He then turned to my senior
colleague, his voice suddenly smooth. "You tell me. How long will it take?"
My senior, a master of
political manoeuvring, looked smug and offered a vague assurance. "Don't
worry, sir. We will get it done. Soon." No timeframe. Only empty words.
And the top man beamed, completely satisfied.
The irony was that, due to
high dependence on another department, nothing could be accomplished even after
three months. The meeting ended, but the humiliation lingered, leaving a bitter
taste in my mouth.
Weeks later, I accidentally
found myself walking alongside the top man in the corridor. A forced pleasantry
was unavoidable.
"How is your project
going?" he asked.
Remembering the chorus of
warnings, I swallowed my pride and manufactured a glowing report.
"Extremely well, sir! I even visited a few branches incognito during my
trip to Delhi yesterday and spoke with customers and staff. They are thrilled!
They say it's the best thing the bank has ever done."
He beamed, his earlier anger
forgotten. "Keep it up!" he said and disappeared into his office.
I had passed the test, but the
lie gnawed at my conscience. For days, I seethed with self-disgust.
Finally, I reached a decision.
Never again! My conscience was more important than my need for approval, no
matter the price. I would rather face the consequences of my honesty than live
with the weight of a lie. And I stood by this resolve till the end of my
career, not bothering about the consequences I had to face.
(To continue...)
*****
3 comments:
One needs courage to stand up with his conscience. And you did it.
Ashok Kumar Goyal
Ma’am, your story is a powerful account of integrity, workplace politics, and the internal struggle between truth and professional survival. Your experience in the boardroom—where blunt honesty is met with public humiliation while empty reassurances are rewarded—highlights a harsh corporate reality.
Yet, your ultimate realisation that personal integrity outweighs the need for approval is inspiring. The moment of deception, though brief, serves as a turning point, leading to a lifelong commitment to truth.
Hats off to you๐ซก, Ma’am, story is well-written, with a crisp, engaging style, the emotional depth, especially in the moment of humiliation and later self-reflection, resonates strongly. The Call of Conscience is a compelling read, especially for professionals who grapple with ethical dilemmas in their careers.
Gulshan Kumar Dhingra
Recounting your human interest stories is really commendable.
Forgiving those who erred and caused anxiety is the right thing to do. These stories are told to share the variety of human nature that we come face to face with.
Thanks for recalling and then writing about it.
Varsha Uke Nagpal
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