Indian Institute of Management A00004

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Ahmedabad March 30, 2014

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RAMESH AND GARGI (B)
Kamla was deeply disturbed by a call she had just received from a former classmate and colleague,
currently the president of HR of a large retail firm, asking for her confidential opinion about Ramesh. She

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found it incomprehensible that Ramesh could be looking for another job. She had always assumed him to
be a trusted colleague and someone with whom she had a very good and open professional relationship.
Kamla felt as though she had been stabbed in the back by Ramesh.

As Kamla reeled from the shock of the phone call, Gargi entered her room, looking fresh and energetic.
Kamla mentally patted herself on the back for spotting Gargi’s talent and being able to nurture her. She
asked Gargi, somewhat indirectly, if she had any news about Ramesh. Gargi simply shrugged her

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shoulders and said she had been busy lately and had not interacted much with Ramesh. Leaving
thoughts of Ramesh aside for the moment, she asked Gargi, “Did you make a decision about the offer
Raman and I had put to you, about taking over the L&D function of the Aurangabad location?” Gargi
thought carefully before she answered, “As long as it does not mean that I have to relocate to
Aurangabad and includes some hand-holding from Ramesh, I am willing to take the responsibility. I am
also assuming that I will continue to work on the CSR and diversity and inclusion agendas.” Suddenly,
acting on impulse, Kamla asked Gargi, “Do you think you would be able to handle L&D for the entire
organization?” Gargi’s reply did not surprise Kamla. She said, “Kamla, I am not so ambitious. I want to
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have a work-life balance. I also think Ramesh has the wisdom, experience and the vision to drive the
function.” Gargi continued, “In fact, I am more passionate about diversity and inclusion and CSR than
heading L&D.” Kamla smiled to herself and marvelled at the clarity of the likes and dislikes and the focus
of the young woman sitting in front of her. She promised Gargi she would discuss with her the details of
her new role in Aurangabad and the change in her reporting relationships very soon.
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The rest of Kamla’s day was swallowed up many things planned and unplanned. As she prepared to
leave, checking her inbox a final time, she saw Ramesh’s resignation letter. He thanked her for the
partnership and said he would meet her tomorrow to discuss the handing over of responsibilities.
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Prepared by Professor Neharika Vohra, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and Professor
Snigdha Pattnaik, Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar.
Cases of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, are prepared as a basis for class discussion.
They are not designed to present illustrations of either correct or incorrect handling of administrative
problems.
© 2014 by the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
This document is authorized for educator review use only by DR. VIDHU GAUR, Management Development Institute - Gurgaon until Jun 2022. Copying or posting is an infringement of
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