8/4/2019 Amit Pandey Felt a Great Sense of Relief on Monday Morning

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Amit Pandey felt a great sense of relief on monday morning. And that

was because his boss Ranvijay Singh was away for the day. It had given

Amit, who had come to dread Ranvijay's presence, a much needed

respite. For over time, Ranvijay had come to undermine and insult Amitat every opportunity, leaving him with a feeling of utter hopelessness.

Ranvijay told Amit during the third quarter appraisal that he was

incompetent and that he did not deserve that much-awaited promotion.

More than anxiety about not getting the promotion, Amit had felt

embarrassed about Ranvijay's choice of words while he passed that

verdict on him.

Amit had begun to see Ranvijay's ways more clearly.He was determined

to recast his life in a better mould. Bracing himself, Amit got down to

work on his current project. Just then Rakesh Arora walked in and asked:"How did your appraisal go?" Amit smiled and said: "Cant say

spectacular'!"Rakesh pondered and then said: "You have not been looking

too well Amit. I have been watching you. Is everything ok? And now this

appraisal."Amit shrugged and said: "This year has not been great; ever

since Swamy left, things are looking grim."

Rakesh observed Amit keenly and said: "Swamy leaving or Ranvijay

joining?"

The rest of the day Amit mulled over this conversation and decided that it

was more appropriate to have a chat with Ranvijay. So when the next day

when Ranvijay returned, Amit called him and said" I'd like to meet you

for half an hour first thing tomorrow morning." Ranvijay was surprised

by the formality of this call but he agreed. The next day, without much

preamble, Amit told him that while he appreciated all the feedback, he'd

like to get things going in the department. After all, he did have more

than good track record. "These periodic skirmishes are not getting us

anywhere.,"he said."So let us work at transaction level hereafter. Place

your requests for tasks over the email. That way both the reqired task as

well as the date and time requested will get documented."

Amit had thought this through.His suugestions may have appeared a littleschool-marm-ish, no doubt, but it was auditable. No more would

Ranvijay be able to accuse him of inefficiency or incompetence, or non-

performance. Of course that would not stop the bullying but he would

have to deliver against that as well, he reasoned.

Ranvijay was at a loss of words. He had not expected that Amit would

confront him.Growing a bit stern, he stood up from his chair and directed

Amit to the sofa. "Let's talk here. You need to relax!" Then after they had

settled down, he abruptly said: " So now, you are going to tell me how to

manage." Amit fielded that and said: "I am interested in fixing things tothe extent they are going wrong. I am interested in ensuring that i deliver

8/4/2019 Amit Pandey Felt a Great Sense of Relief on Monday Morning

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to your expectations..." Amit chose his words carefully.He was

consciously avoiding the use of subservient tones or of appearing having

been wronged. By now, he knew he was not dealing with a reasonable

man, and he didnt want anymore grovelling and pleading.

Ranvijay could not help but notice Amit's new approach, and he was a bittaken aback. He said:"So what has made you say all this? Unhappy with

your appraissal?" Amit gave that a miss and simply said: "Ranvijay, we

have been having difficulties working together, lets face that. I really

want us to have an amicable working relationship. I have worked hard,

and your predecessor Swamy thought very well of me." Ranvijay

responded: " My predecessor didnt have the task i have on my hands,

otherwise he would still be here!" Thereafter the exchange went thus:

Amit: I am very upset that no matter what i do, it upsets you....I dont

think it will work out well for either of us.Ranvijay: I agree with you. It wont work out very well for both of us

Amit: Exactly, so we can find a way.

Ranvijay: Dont you think its too late to try and find a way? I've been

going on this for months, and you come when i've given up on you.

Amit: I mean, what is it about me that annoys you. I havent been able to

understand.

Ranvijay: Its not you that annoys me. I quite like you as a person. Its just

that you havent been delivering and its started to become an

embarrassment for me. Your work, your style, your overall demeanour, it

simply lacks dynamism or the quality i'd look for in a Senior Sales

Manager.

Amit paused and studied his palms. The fact that Ranvijay was turning

this from a 'personal dislike' to 'professional concern' did not miss him.He

thought "We are not getting anywhere. He tries to sound friendly but

continues to badger me with generalities. He doesnt seem to see that i am

trying to build a bridge where we can both work together.

For the next whole minute, Ranvijay spoke words words Amit had

heard many times before. Then he said: "Okay Ranvijay, I understand

that things havent exactly been smooth and our points of view aredifferent.But i am determined to set this right. So for the next two

months, can we try this: you send me all your requests by email so that i

have a clear understanding of your needs; then i deliver and you

evaluate." Ranvijay suddenly did not like the way the the meeting was

progressing. So he abruptly said: ' Fine, we will also do it your way and

then see."