My Boss’s cabin in Nashik smelled of old monsoon rain and cigarette. He was my immediate boss in my 1st job, Ramesh, a man who had survived three corporate restructuring and a heart attack. It was 4th month of my job and obvious butterflies when your boss calls you over for a discussion. I was hired by him from the campus and obviously offered me extra care (maybe because both hailed from Bengaluru).
Reassuringly, he told me to relax and offered me a cigarette. It is not about work, I am being promoted and moving to Mumbai next month before which I wanted to give you a friendly advice, which you are free to ignore. This is something they didn’t teach you in your MBA and certainly not mentioned during your HR induction.
You see that guy Shashank in the corner cabin? The one always offering to buy everyone samosas, the one who calls you ‘Beta’ and smiles like he’s your own uncle? Keep your guard up. In this corporate jungle, the guy screaming at you is rarely the one who’ll finish your career. It’s the one who shoots over your shoulder while giving you a hug.
Take Rohan, a fresher I hired three years ago. Sharp boy, worked like a horse on ‘FTL Assembly Line.’ He had everything ready, solid data, clear ROI. But he made one mistake: He trusted a Shashank. Shashank spent weeks mentoring Rohan. He’d sit him down and say, ‘Beta, you’re young. Kapoor (our MD), hates overconfidence. Add more slides on the risks. Show him you’re cautious. Thinking he was getting insider gold, Rohan gutted his winning presentation.
However, when Kapoor got annoyed by the negativity, Shashank did not defend the strategy he helped create. He sighed, looked at Rohan with pity and told the MD – “Sir, I tried to tell the boy to be more positive, but you know how these youngsters are so focused on the problems, no vision.” He simply threw Rohan under the bus. Shashank kept his own reputation clean and branded Rohan as lacking leadership. All while smiling.
Ramesh said, “Listen carefully, there are two types of people who will ruin you – Openly Evil and the Slimy.”
The Openly Evil are people like Rajesh. He growls. You see his claws. You know exactly where the attack is coming from. You can prepare, duck, or fight back. He’s honest about his malice.
The Slimy are people like Shashank. He doesn’t have the spine to hold his own weapon. Instead, he fires off someone else’s shoulder.
He muttered “A slimy chap doesn’t leave fingerprints. He whispers a secret in your ear, waits for you to repeat it, and then watches from the sidelines while you get fired for spreading rumours. This is like sitting on your shoulders and biting your ears off. He plays the good chap so well that when the building is burning, everyone reaches for his hand not realizing he’s the one who leaked the petrol. “The man who smiles while pointing out your enemies is often the one creating them. He uses your mouth to speak his venom and your face to take the punch. Avoid the man who is everyone’s friend but stands behind everyone’s back.”
That was precious lesson from Ramesh and in days to come I realised he was dead right: the snake you see is a danger, but the slime you slip on is what breaks your neck.
Don’t be a ‘Meetha Churi’s’ target: If someone gives you friendly advice to change your work, send a summary email immediately. “Thanks for the input, as discussed, I’m pivoting the strategy to focus on risks per your suggestion.” Rest assured, they will backpedal when there’s a paper trail. And today there are so many avenues to keep it on Record, WhatsApp, Mails or in the worst case – A call recording!
In India, we value politeness, and these chaps who deploy their smile as a shield, use that against you. Don’t let their vibes stop you from asking hard questions in front of others.
Own your Voice. If you let someone else narrate your work, they’ll eventually narrate your exit.
The world is full of people who will use your back as a tripod for their own gun. Don’t offer them that!
PS: I changed just a couple of names but every word written above is something that I was so privileged to learn so early in my career. It has stood me in good stead, till I decided to call it a day. Thank you Ramesh! Though on the day, I thought you were just being possessive (and also thought you were jealous of Shashank – I realised you were way above his pay grade and NATURE too). During our latest meeting in IISc guest house, where I recalled this anecdote and a couple more, that smug smile just said “Don’t Mention”
Thank you! Watching me from wherever you are up above. I hope I lived upto your trust in my abilities
