The power of kindness
When I found out that I had to quit my job, the first person I thought of was Jennifer. My first manager in the organisation, she is one of the only people who knew exactly what I was capable of.
Jenny of all trades and master of each one of them. From keeping punctuations in check to launching new products, she did it all. Her phone calls and emails were always laconic, but explained everything that needed to be done.
Communicating with her was easy because she knew exactly what she wanted and took collective responsibility for failures and successes (and also being available 24x7 which is something I've never figured out how she managed. I will always advise against it) – a rare quality in managers I've come across in my working career.
My impulsive note to her received a response 15 days later and worked like a tonic for my befuddled thoughts. I knew she would have something reassuring to say but didn't expect the warm, affectionate and kind note I received. It's easy to slip into self-doubt but here she was reminding me of all the reasons I loved my job.
The power of kindness is extremely undervalued in most Indian workplaces. A small note of thanks, a pat on the back and lending an ear to a troubled colleague at work go a long way in creating a healthy work environment.
We may be continents apart but I leave this workplace with all the values she taught me in a short span of 2.5 years.
Jenny of all trades and master of each one of them. From keeping punctuations in check to launching new products, she did it all. Her phone calls and emails were always laconic, but explained everything that needed to be done.
Communicating with her was easy because she knew exactly what she wanted and took collective responsibility for failures and successes (and also being available 24x7 which is something I've never figured out how she managed. I will always advise against it) – a rare quality in managers I've come across in my working career.
My impulsive note to her received a response 15 days later and worked like a tonic for my befuddled thoughts. I knew she would have something reassuring to say but didn't expect the warm, affectionate and kind note I received. It's easy to slip into self-doubt but here she was reminding me of all the reasons I loved my job.
The power of kindness is extremely undervalued in most Indian workplaces. A small note of thanks, a pat on the back and lending an ear to a troubled colleague at work go a long way in creating a healthy work environment.
We may be continents apart but I leave this workplace with all the values she taught me in a short span of 2.5 years.
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