Oh my Boss!!

In a week from now, that's coming week I will completing 36 months of professional life; a life of works man, a life of Management professional, a life of a fresh Management trainee. I would be completing 3 years of one of the most dynamic and challenging building years with a continually shifting horizon and continually changing dynamics and work environment. I've joined IIM in 2004 where IIM K was budding to be in top with other IIMs; with lots of dreams and passion. True to our motto the batch truly dreamt, innovated and achieved; much was to be seen in the placement committee's achievement and the new heights we as a student organisation went. But stepping into a professional environment has a totally different set of challenges and required a totally different and may be irrational approach to succeed.
Post my two years stint with Genpact and an Year at CTS I was able to observe, analyse and greatly categorise my Bosses and shared bosses I worked for and under. I have learned a lot and how organisation and work environment effect the organisation's professional traits.
Here goes the traits of bosses under different categories.

1.Raging Bull
As the name suggests this type of the boss is full of rage and is extremely tempered and furious with his subordinates on most if not most of the occasions.
Typical Traits

• Takes out anger on others in Public
• Humiliates and dissipates individuals for ill or non-performance in full Public View.
• Controls and rules the team with instilled sense of fear

Ideally
This kind of boss should give freedom and encourage people to be more open and take feedback. Private counselling instead of public humiliation for his subordinates.
2. Insecure Boss
This kind of boss typically is low on self esteem and probably self confidence in the decision he needs to take and keeps avoiding and skipping such decision making situations. His insecurity of the situation at hands unnerves his co-employees a lot.
Typical Traits

• Approval Seeking boss ;Who looks at everyones approval before making a choice
• Dependent on others for decision making
• Suspicious of everyone and everything that goes on due to his insecurity
• Self, keeps thinking of oneself and self needs

Ideally

Should look at prioritising and system driven approach instead of relying on everyone for inputs.

3.Targets Tyrant
This kind of a boss is typically bent upon on achieving targets set by the management, customer or self set targets. They are very public and verbal on the targets set and try to ensure in every possible way to meet the same
Typical Traits

• Sets unrealistic goals for the team
• Aims at unduly perfectionism from all
• Work Alcholic
• Control freak, believes in having everyone under his vigil.

Ideally
This kind of a boss should ensure a good work-life balance for everyone while ensuring that everyone is given enough time to unwind at end of the project.



4. Whimp
This kind of people look like idle people to work for in the beginning. As a fresher you might idealise such personality but later on one realises it doesn't work that way always.



Typical Traits

• Typically follow the rule by the book
• Play it safe; risk averse attitude ; Lacks Challenge
• Continually shifting personality to suit moods and needs
• Not a go getter and has a potential to miss targets

Ideally

Be a little more innovative and open to change. Creativity is the key for success in such cases.

5. Mr.Chaotic
This boss creates confusion, misunderstandings and ultimately runs a havoc if not set right.
Typical Traits

• Lacks direction and focus on his tasks.
• Can't Prioritise work and task allocates neither can delegate effectively
• Unaware on what to do and how to do
• Confused
• Stressful

Ideally
Should be organised and keep a track of whats happening round him and evaluate current and plan for the future activities
So...do you feel like your bosses fall under any of the categories mentioned above. Oh yes the boss personality types is not exhaustive and yes they are well admired and ideal bosses do exist and I never got that feel ever so you could say I am a bit of critic of my bosses and possibly resistant to be bossed around, yeah with some consequences.

To sum up Raging Bull, Target Tyrant category of bosses are typically found in very demanding work environments where one has daily deliverables and KPA/KRAs (Sales teams, Call Centres, BPOs and few IT projects).

Insecure Bosses are typical in a laid back culture organisations.

Whimps are usually found in the Audit and possibly compliance based organisations where the focus is to go by book and creativity is locked.
Mr.Chaotics are typical in situations where people have been hastily promoted.
Anyways an organisation should be cognizant of such traits and ensure that work environment and work culture is cultivated in an healthy, supportive and a collaborative fashion.
At a strategic level and a leadership level

• Clear thought process and Vision should be available and be well communicated and emphasised
• The organsation should take stock of the situation and be aware of constantly changing work dynamics
• System Setup - A well setup and organised system and process should be set in place to tackle early warning and grievances.
• Everyone starting from the top should aspire to build and spread a role model behaviour to start off an organisational revolution.

I am quite sure that all the budding managers are open to such realities of professional life and come out successful tackling and succeeding and pick up the best of the things while stepping towards their own Managerial stints.

Curtains for my Genpact Career

Yesterday the 9th of April marked an end of milestone, I finally bid farewell to my career with Genpact after 2 years of service with Genpact. My association with Genpact started as early as October 2005, when it was still a GE company and was getting enchristened as Genpact post the strategic sale; this association was on back of my closest friends & couple of engineering mates joining Ge. In Decemeber 2005, came to know about the whole BPO industry, its offerings and where Genpact stood during my non-credit classes. The sessions where conducted by our IIM Alumni Sanjeev Singh, who was then Collections COE leader at Genpact; Others included Amit Agarwal(presently Quality Head), Shuba Laksmi(Global HR VP), Ritu Rekha(transition) and couple more handling each and every aspect of the industry. Then subsequently joined the company which I always wanted to be part of. My HR-AVP was the part of the two-member recruitment team which visited us for recruitment.

Anyways two years of learning, growth - personal & professional seen it all and expereinced it all to express and blog it today. Though not the best of expereinces in the overall perspective, it would hold a special place in my heart always for many years to come. Lots of people then questioned and challenged my intent of joining Genpact, but I don't regret it either.

I cherished a few praises I liked a lot from my collegues

"A very Genuine guy at heart"

" A person of heart who feels for others"

" I've never seen such a Genuine and open hearted guy in my professional life"

" Very straight and onto the point - Absolutely no sugar-coating when you express your thoughts"

"You have been a great friend and we certainly shared a great working relationship… Though our interactions have been much, I want you to know that I have a high regard for the expertise that you bring along… Needless to mention, I do look up to you…"

"Your quiting was a shock to our team, we always looked forward to you for inspiration'

Touchy sentences, though I have not been able to touch a lot of people, but I am happy people took me close to their heart, and where open hearted, and shared bonding at a personal level than at a professional level.

For long I might have craved to move out of the compay, the time has come for me to take that step out, out from comfort and try and experiment new things and new life. As I step forward into an uncertain future I carry with my self a heavy heart, and oblivion within yearing to be filled. Am just short of tears as I was stepping out, trying to be as optimistic as I can and as I write this blog.

I pray that my stint with Genpact never goes waste, and hope that whosoever I was involved with and I joined in for make the best of the same and be sucessful than ever.

Genpact, Jaipur

Finally on Friday morning we hit the road headed towards Jaipur, we had an AC bus specially arranged for us, and an rest of the people who didn't feel like fitting in went in a Qualis. Sruthi dropped this leg of the trip as she was due for her marriage. The rest of the troop made it to the pink city. The travel was fun, for me though I was tired after the Leadership party, I did manage to get my share of fun. We by this time formed our own group of Saurabh's Karan, Surya, Viral, Prasad, Tarak, Kaushik and Manish. Yummy Yamini and Sai. Travelling always has been fun for me, we reached Jaipur amd we were put up at Country inn there. We got our rooms after an hour of wait, people were so tired that they all jumped into the available rooms even before their rooms were made ready. Quickly freshen up and left for office at around 2pm. Had our lunch Pizzaa's then some gyan and quick match of Volleyball. We beat the seniors convinicingly. Then for the night we went to the city palace for the party. Traditional palace with some Rajputaana heritage. We partied till 11. Lots of fun for me, danced like crazy, the group too came out very actively for the party. Ramnath and Rachna had a clash as he was overly drunk and lost control. Shobit was puking all the time yucks. Came back after a wonderful evening just sank into the bed and fell asleep for a rather long funfilled day.

Next day I thought of hitting the pool in afternoon, but no costumes so was not allowed. Breakfast was really fantastic at the hotel, really large menu and a muli-cuisine actually. I never knew that breakfast could have these many varieties. Rest of the day I slept as the rest of the people we shopping in Jaipur. Towards the afternoon we went to Ajmer fort near the outskirts of the city. Forts and palaces and history culture and heritage had always been my interests. Was really overwhelmed by the structures which were carefully camouflaged with the sands hills. Awesome sight. Once inside the palace we visited various rooms and halls in the fort. This palace had been a centre of great rule, and for now many movies have also been shot here.

Towards the evening we broke the day towards a Rajasthani theme village resort called Chowkidhani, as similar to our Dola-ri-dhani in Hyderabad. Big big facility, lots of traditionally styled houses and stalls. Crowds were huge in number too owing to the fact it was saturday. We shopped, played games, rode horses, elephants, camels , shook are legs to Rajasthani folklore, went on rides. So much of fun it was. The food houses there were a treat, food was rich in ghee and we have been served soo much of Makhan that I've never had in my entire life. Over half a dozen varieties of rotis were served in all, similar amount of sweets and curries that I ever tasted or smelled off. And servers were also a fun to watch, they kept adding more ghee and sugar icing to it and kept insisting on having it. Else they would keep saying "Is umar mein nahin tho kab" It was neatly choreographed way of serving and enacting. They did their job quite winderfully. A must visit place if one is in Jaipur. After all the cracking time we all came back to hotel with lots of smiles and heavy stomach. It hardly took a few minutes for me sleep deep.

Next day morning we were off packing our bags, to go to Gurgaon and then to Airport to catch our flight back home to Hyderabad for the final leg of Orientation. Never in life would forget these experiences. Awesome experience...

Genpact, Gurgaon

Finally the D-day has come, I caught up with the early morning Spice Jet flight to New Delhi. Early morning !!!! yes early morning, what the hell you must be thinking, I wrongly booked the ticket for 300 hrs thinking its 3pm, a costly mistake. Gosh what a way to start off, Dad drops me off at airport at a vague hour, 1am. I wait along with a bunch of sleepy faces around, to finally board the plane. The smell of freshness in the plane as it was newly furbished/prepared for the next days haul and I was among the first few to board it for the day. Long sleeplessly sleepy journey to Delhi, touched down at 5.30.

Picked up byDiggy anna, gosh I kept my eldest of all cousin waiting early in the morning. There we started are long journey to their house in Gurgaon. He made me sure that I was belted and buckled up in like a kid and went on explaining all the important landmarks as we whizzed by them at 90+ something speed. He was telling about his company and work and family as he politely enquired about mine and cautioned against the call centre culture and extremes people get into. Finally reached their place, it was a sunday morning. He had 2 kids, well I hardly knew my cousins from my father's side, rarely get to interact them, so meeting his kids who were as tall as me was good. One I believe was into his 10+2 and the other 8th Std. They had a Kasmiri hunter dog. Don't know its name, but as all dogs this was also fun to play. Though like scooby, an Labrador of another cousins this was more friendlier rather more than required. All my pants and legs were ensured to be kept moist.

As it was still early morning I went out to adventure on the Gurgaon roads, Diggy anna showed me various corporate offices that day.

Then quickly had my breakfast, tried to imitate that I wanted to sleep, before being waked up for the weekly mass of theirs. Gosh am not into it at all, but kya kare had to budge in they will not like my arrogance. We went to Unitech's country club, small gathering. My nephews were performing on the keyboard and drums and they were good.

Later we came home for lunch, good Veggie meals, they understood am not much of a NVian. Loved the Vankaayi which vadina made. This was the first time I was eating in their house.

Later slept for the day and evening we went around gurgaon for the 3rd time. This time to anna's office premises. There's is a European company who are into making of stone crushing equipment, whose head office was in Sweden. Then he showed me the malls and class apartments before dropping me off at my guest house.

My roomy, my batchmate from K were supposed to share the room, but looks like he left for the night. Chak, was getting married to Jyothi in a month, so went to meet his inlaws. I slept for the night, knock knock came chak at 11.30 in the night. Had a quick catchup then slept off.

Next day went to our basement hall for breakfast, were we met with a few other joines. Later freshened up and left for the office in our cabs which came to pick us up, rather a little late.

We came in to the corporate office located at Phase V, we were close to 40 something people from various campuses. There is another batch too but they will join a month later. We were greeted by our Campus coordinators Divisha, Sruthi, Manasi Baaga, who are going to be our facilitators for the rest of the time.

We had various leadership sessions day-in day-out, with likes of Pramod bhasin, Anju Talwar, Steve Rudderman coming in, quite an eyeopener on an industry quite unknown to me. Next day we had our on-boarding where our log-in Genpact OHR_IDS were created. All this happened in 22a, another site of Genpacts in Gurgaon. The names of the rooms here are pacific breeze, hawaiin beach etc.. strange.
Day 3 was floor walks at phase 5, Day four was again in 22a were we got our tags and ids done finally. I really loved my blue id card. Its a two tone card, two shades of blue (robin blue and a navy blue. All this time the HR held us in suspense on our postings and roles, some of them knew right at recruitment, others like me had no clue. I had my inhibitance on location itself.
I was told that I was to head towards Hyd, FCOE. Breather for me.
All this while in Gurgaon, Chak kept his evenings busy talking with his fiance, and one day on Wednesday (day 3) we went to a few malls there. Sahara mall to be precise, was walkable from our guest house, 1/2 hr walk :) , Gurgaon is a strange place, we hardly have or see public transport, even the streets are modestly populated. There we window shopped for a while, then had BigMac burger, then went to PVR for a movie. This was the scary part, the ticket costed 100 a piece, man I've could have watched 3 at that price in Hyd and 4 in towns. Ok, whats so frightening, once we were in the hall, we had lots and lots voids in the theatre, Voids.. no people at all, we were the only two, then as the title started we had our watchman join and accompany us. After 15min we had another couple drop in. That sunday in the same Sahara mall a teenager was killed, was pushed off from the top floor where she had come to party for the night. Owing to this all the malls had strict vigilance, and we were thoroughly mocked by the cinema security staff. Nothing was been allowed even lighters, matches were been stripped off. Anyways thats for the movie, when were done its well past 1am, and we had to walk back the 1/2 hour walk, with bad light and poor memory we lost our way. Middle of no where, no living being along except for ourselves, winds gushing quietly by the side, quite chilling. After some effort and trials we finally made it back, relieved we were after such an endeavour. On the whole a very good, and interesting start of my career. Started with a bang and promising,
On Friday morning we started off for Jaipur to visit the Genpact office there, the trip promises to be good. Would be my first trip to the Rajputannas. Eager to make my fascination for forts and palaces come to life.