Management mythos: Designations don't make the man, character does - The Econom...

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Tue, Aug 16, 2011 | Updated 07.02AM IST

12 AUG, 2011, 12.10AM IST, DEVDUTT PATTANAIK,

Management mythos: Designations don't make the man, character does

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There were two twin brothers, Rohidas and Mahidas, who had to walk a long way every day to their farm. So they begged their father to give them a horse or a bullock cart to travel comfortably. After much deliberation, the father gave Rohidas an elephant and Mahidas a donkey. Both boys were happy with their respective gifts. But there was a problem. The road to the farm was narrow. Rohidas, on the elephant, demanded first right of passage. Mahidas refused to give it, so Rohidas got his elephant to simply nudge the donkey aside and claim the road. Mahidas and the donkey tumbled to the side and watched Rohidas move majestically ahead with a sneer on his face. That evening, Mahidas complained about Rohidas to his father. The father said, "Tomorrow Mahidas will take the elephant and Rohidas will take the donkey." Mahidas chuckled and Rohidas whined, but the decision had been taken. So the next day the two brothers set out for the farm. This time Mahidas on his elephant claimed the narrow road and walked ahead, nudging away his brother, forcing him to follow. He was happy. That evening, on learning the day's events, the father said, "I am disappointed in both you boys. Your personality depends on what you have. When either of you had the elephant, you tried to dominate the other. When either of you had the donkey, you whined and complained. Clearly you have no inner character; your behaviour is a function of what you possess. That is the sign of a weak man." When Sundar was promoted to senior manager, everyone expected him to behave differently: buy a new car, not join the juniors for lunch, be more dominating and demanding. But he remained the same person, gentle and mild-mannered. "Why should a change in designation and responsibilities make me a different human being? I define my job, my job cannot define me," he said. But another senior manager, Rangarajan, had a very different view. He felt that he should keep a distance from juniors or they would take him for granted, ask for favours and take him for a ride. He advised Sundar to buy a fancier car worthy of his designation, preferably with a driver. He also suggested Sundar eat only in the officers' lounge with other senior managers. Sundar disagreed, "If anything, I feel a person in a senior position needs to behave with more grace than authority. Juniors know that I am senior and I have power. I have no need to demonstrate it unless it is required. I refuse to confuse myself with my job. If my job gives me my self-esteem, then I have a serious problem." Sundar was very unlike Rohidas and Mahidas. He did not let the elephant or donkey determine who he was. His identity did not come from his possessions. He was not a weak man.

The author is the Chief Belief Officer of the Future Group. He can reached at devdutt@devdutt.com

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http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/9569963.cms?prtpage=1

16-08-2011