If it is April , it is appraisal season in the corporate. Should we rename the month as Appraisal? Employees get their performance evaluations and students get their exam results….may be relevant..
Since this is September – Teacher’s Day, This post is to acknowledge all my Managers and Supervisors with whom I have worked in my career span of 7 yrs. Each person was different and from each I have learnt something. A big Thank You…to all of them.
The first boss I had , was very jovial but, a task master. Though the role what I had was very limited, he taught me how you can do what is given to you , in a clear and a concise manner. I was associated with him only for 3 months, this was my first corporate exposure. Things that made me work there , were the colleagues. I had my trusted MBA classmate, and very few team members, who were most considerate. Also what I learnt from my manager was to always respect your seniors…not according to age, but as a senior in the company. Even if the person has joined the previous day than you, treat them as a Senior. One more thing was, not to be bound by time, if you remain in your framework of 9 – 6 and want to learn. I still remember, he said : This is not a school that opens and shuts according to a time-table. If you need to learn the dynamics, don’t say “NO” to any work given, that doesn’t mean, you do others work, do work you are supposed to do. This proved to be important , in my present job as well.
The second association I had was with a small time consultant. The number of employees were only 35, so everyone knows what everyone else is doing. I had 2 managers here and both females. My first manager and I had a very good rapport, in fact we are good friends even now. From her, I learnt the art of sourcing resumes, the job I still enjoy doing. At that point , I was not even given any access to any Job Portal. It was only referencing and networking through which I had to get resumes. She taught me , how to approach people and get references. My second boss was actually my previous super boss. Very friendly, but one advice, DELIVER your targets. From this boss, I learnt the people management (as now I had a little team) who would help me in sourcing.
From her I learnt how to handle client meetings, and project yourself in a way that the client gives you requirements. One fine day , when I was neatly dressed ( not that I wasn’t always..happened to wear a formal Shirt ), she asked me where are you going..when I said nowhere..she told “ No, you are dressed smart today. Attend that meeting in Cunningham Rd. I am not in proper attire!”. That was the first client I started handling. In this consultancy, though the number of employees were few, I stepped into the domain which I am proud of. Some of them I got to know there, are still my friends.
In my current organization , I have had many managers that I have lost count of! I’ll be writing the ones that significantly have influenced me in a blog later :)
