Leadership lesson in everyday life-II

Many springs back when I was still a freshman in the hotel industry and still not over the euphoria of being part of this amazing world. I got the opportunity to become part of the team who was to host one of the most exclusive dinners, unusual for a novice. Who knew it was to turn into a life changing experience?

It was an intimate family dinner gathering for a very prominent business house in India. I was too new to comprehend the full intensity of the event but the fact that the F&B manager himself was supervising, made me realize this must be an important one. Everything from the alignment of the cutlery, the polish of the bottle opener to the shape of the ice cubes in the machine were checked, rechecked, and rehearsed a zillionth time before the final evening. In the briefing, the manager dramatically reiterated it was a sit-down dinner with Champagne Service! Duties were allocated. I was to service the host supported by one of my colleagues! The initial feeling was a mix of excitement and apprehensive. But that soon took a backseat in the flurry of activities that ensued.

Now champagne service has a lot of theatrics attached to it probably to add an additional layer of exclusivity and to justify the insane price of a bottle. It requires a lot of practice and a bit of nerve to carry out this service flawlessly. Further the fact that the guests belonged to the rarified echelons of the society didn't make things any easier either. Wine stands were placed at pre-determined spots. Perfectly shaped ice cubes were filled in. Bottles of Dom Perignon delicately collared in spotless serviettes carefully lodged in the ice. The stage was set!

Finally, the moment arrived. The Guests started coming in. It was the birthday party of the patriarch of the largest bike manufactures in the world! As the guests settled down, the gravity of the occasion dawned on me, almost petrifying me with an overwhelming nervousness! Instinctively I made myself busy attending the other guests on the table, running frivolous errands to the service counter, practically making all the efforts to stay away from the Patriarch’s head Table with the dreaded wine stand beside him. As I continued with my avoidance tactics, which I felt I did with deftness, I could notice from the corner of the eyes, my colleague picking up the champagne bottle and started presenting to the host. Subconsciously I heaved a sigh of relief and started attending to the guests with an even bigger smile. Little did I realize that the entire episode was keenly watched by our manager.

The evening was successful. The guests had a good time and went away with some nice compliments for us, a big deal for hoteliers! Everything seemed to be perfect until he called me to his office.

The event couldn’t have been better. So naturally I entered his cabin cheerfully expecting a pat on the back. A rude shock was awaiting me instead. While he was an extremely articulate orator, pleasantries and small talks were his opportunity areas. He came straight to the point. For the next few minutes in terse tone, he articulated the proceedings of the evening and drew a word picture of exactly what was going on in my mind during that period almost as if he was scanning my brain all the while. His fabled temper was about get unleashed, enough for a newcomer to chicken out in fear. ?Even then I couldn’t help but get awed with his sense of observation and understanding of human mind!

Unexpectedly he changed his tone to a very calm and affectionate one. He went on to explain something that was to become the guiding light for me in the years to follow. Every step of our life would offer a situation, he explained, howsoever insignificant that might seem, and would force us to make a choice, just like the way I did earlier in the evening. The choice we make at that moment- to face or to take the easier way out, to that of fight or flight, would determine who we eventually become, as human being. A winner or an also ran. The choice would always be ours and ONLY ours…

Now whenever I look back, even after so many years, those bright, deep pair of eyes still look straight into mine reminding me of the lesson. I realize how transformative the blunt, matter of fact yet deep, the message was...

The choices we make, determine who we eventually become...!