Chapter II: Respect Has to Be Earned
It was year 1987. A wild cat strike was called by a group of employees against Director, the top most officer of a Department of the Government for his alleged misbehavior to the Secretary of the organization/ union. The Government sent a high level delegation to discuss the matter with both the parties to thrash out the problem.
At first, both the parties were called for discussion separately. Both the parties put forward their arguments. After noting down the grievance of the union, both parties were called for a reconciliation.
The main grievance of the Union was that their leader was scolded in public by the Director.
The Director in his defense said, ‘I have scolded him for not doing his assigned duty- I have done nothing wrong.’
‘He was wrong on two accounts, i) He cannot scold me for not doing my duty- he could have issued a Memo for that. ii) He scolded me in front of others which is also not acceptable for all of us.’ The Union Secretary contended.
‘Normally we avoid issuing of a Memo. And I think, some of the problems can be solved at personal level, instead of discussing every problem at a formal level.’ The Director commented.
‘That is true. But this can only happen, if and only if, both parties are agreeable to that system. And at present, Sir is not following that system.’ The leader argued.
‘How can you blame me for it? For a simple scolding, you have called for a wild cat strike. Actually, for some unknown reasons, may be due to some vested interests, you are not cooperating with me and instigating the employees against me.’ With a taunting voice he remarked, ‘Now you try to project yourself as a big leader. A few years ago, I saw Mr. X (earlier Director) slapping you before everyone. But you did not utter a single word. No strike was called for. You are actually against me and present administration.’
‘You are absolutely wrong in one account and right as well on another account, sir. You are wrong on that account that, I am not cooperating with you, as I have no any ill motive against you. Moreover, I am not instigating my colleagues against you. I do not think, you can substantiate your allegation against me at any forum. However, you are right in your memory that, he (earlier Director) slapped me once in front of you and I did not object to that. But you may not be aware that he slapped me not only once, but many a times, as he is a very short tampered man. It is also true, I never objected to him while he slapped me before anyone else or in absence of anyone else.
I allowed him to slap me before anyone because I thought, he had the right to do so. I always consider him like my own father. Not only me, have most of the members of our union thought like me. Like every father has the right to slap every son if he (the son) does something wrong to his (son’s) family, he also earned the right to slap anyone of us as our own father. You had seen only one part of the story. Once you were present with him while he slapped me. But you had not seen (you are not aware of it) many things that went on behind you.
When my wife was in labour pain, he took her to hospital by driving himself his car at 2 AM as at that time his driver was not at home. When my daughter was ill and I was away, he took her to hospital. You may think, I was the only man who got some preferential treatment from him. No, he helped most of us like a good father does to his family. So each one of us thought during his tenure as Director, that all of us his children. Rather, we all feel grateful to him whenever he scolded or slapped us thinking that we must have done something wrong to our family or to the organization where we are working. He was the ‘chatrachaya’(protecting umbrella) of a godfather for each one of us. Even if he comes today and slap me before all of you, I shall think I am doing something wrong either for my family or for the organization. Even now I can kiss on his feet asking for forgiveness. So please Sir, do not compare yourself with Sir (previous Director). For all of us he was the ultimate boss, with or without his job in this office.’
I do not know the Ultimate outcome of the meeting, nor do I know which party was correct or which party was wrong. But definitely, this is a good story which may be discussed in any management class.