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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Leadership (03/14/05)
RAM’S BOSS


“Ram, come here soon!” the strident voice of his boss welcomed Ram as he was rushing into his office. He ran to his boss’s room, panting. “ Yes Sir.” He bleated.

“How many times have I told you to come to office in time?” he thundered, “ Never do this again. I want to see you working hard when I come into this office. Do you understand?”

Ram was silent. He knew very well that his boss wouldn’t listen to him. He had to take his kids to school and then drop his wife at work before he could rush to office. In fact, Ram wondered whether his boss ever knew about his family.

He was beginning to concentrate on his work when the intercom buzzed. “Come quickly to my room” barked the boss.

“You are the most stupid fellow that I know Ram” scolded the boss, “ Why can’t you spell right? What is the meaning of this draft? There is not even a single paragraph in this letter spelt correctly. Why can’t you write better English? I want a better draft to be on my table by this afternoon. Get going now!”

Ram could just manage to control his tears. “I …I am sorry Sir.” He whimpered as he took the paper and crept of the room.

**********************************

Brian was surprised to find that his boss had already come to office that morning. “Good morning Sir,” he said, surprise in his tone. “ ‘Morning Brian!” replied his boss heartily, “ I was a little concerned about this letter to our publisher and so came a little earlier to check it out. Can I see you about it when you are through your routine work? Just call me when you are free, and come.”

After a while, Brian called and went to his boss’s room. “You wanted to see me Sir,” he enquired gently. “Brian it is about this letter you have drafted to our publisher. Could you do a redraft on it please? I think there may be a few changes necessary. Also please check the spellings before you finish. Okay?” Brian took the paper from him and said, “ Sure thing Sir, I’ll have the letter ready for you by this afternoon.”

**********************************

Brian and Ram met for coffee that evening at a café, a ritual they had for the past few years. Brian smiled as he sipped his cappuccino; “ I’ve had a fruitful day at work today. It’s a pleasure to work for my boss. He is so understanding. Even when he scolds, it feels as though he is giving friendly advice.”

“ But I feel terrible Brian,” moaned Ram as he put his cup down, “ I feel my boss is simply too cruel. He complains about my work. But when I sit to work, he calls me up. I don’t have a moment’s peace at my desk. He criticizes me at every opportunity. Due to this pressure, I tend to make more mistakes. It’s becoming a vicious cycle and I don’t know how to get out. I am seriously thinking of quitting my job too.”

Brian nodded. As he put his cup down, he said, “ Is it that terrible Ram? Is he that bad? My boss has a different leadership style. He knows where we are going. He himself leads the way and he takes all of us along with him. Everyone at office appreciate him. Because of him, all of us make sure that we work best. I think he achieves more that your boss. Don’t you agree Ram?”

“ I agree fully with you. In fact, please see if there is any vacancy for me in your office Brian. I’d love to work under a boss like yours,” gushed Ram.

“I am not sure Ram. I’ll enquire and let you know. But meanwhile I think you should try and adjust in your present job. These days it is so difficult to get back a job if you leave one.” Replied Brian.

Ram drank up the dregs in his cup as he said, “ I will hold on for now Brian. I would have quit this job actually months ago. Am just waiting to get a better job, at least a better boss.”

**********************************
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Phyllis Inniss 
03/23/05
I see two leadership styles here, but I'm not sure of the point you made when Brian told Ram to hold on to his job. I might have missed something.
Leticia Caroccio
03/24/05
I really felt for Ram in this article. It is really difficult to work for someone who doesn't respect or appreciate you. Our leaders or people in authority must realize that kindness and respect go a long way.
donna robinson
03/26/05
The two different styles represent true bosses out there. I also think the advice he gave was sound: it might be a bad job, but don't run away, see if you can adjust to it as some problems could be your own too. Seek new work but don't be hasty and quit before you find one. So often now days, it's tough, we quit and then whine we don't have a job! I would have given it a little more voice here, a little more logic of why interjected to give the reader the feeling it was wise advice.
Delores Baber
03/28/05
Loved the first 2/3s of the story. But after Brian heard how bad things were for Ram, then to repeat how good his boss was but to not encourage him to hope for an opening seems a bit coldhearted of Brian. The point on leadership was made in the first 2/3's of the story. Wished it had ended differently.