THE MAN IN BLACK IN YOUR OFFICE

THE MAN IN BLACK IN YOUR OFFICE

(WITH APOLOGIES TO OLIVER GOLDSMITH)


Arpita was walking out of the cabin of her boss Kulwant. She looked upset and furious. Her body language spoke volumes of her anger, but one did not know the reason behind.

“HI Arpit! What happened?” intercepted Kavitha.

“Nothing big. As usual” she tried her best to control her tears.

“Cool, get the steam out,” said Kavita.

“Just finished my appraisal” she continued “as usual, this guy laments that I have not done anything. I had put in hours of work burning my midnight oil. I have shown tremendous progress. Yet. Not satisfactory. You are underperforming. I really do not know what this guy wants. Boss. the Big Boss.” She laid her head on the table.

“Cool, cool, do not worry. Take it easy. Heavens are not going to fall.”

“I showed him the data. I showed him the performance graph. I showed how I exceeded the targets in KPAs. But he says, they are just indicators and not the best outcomes. He does not even understand the markets and the resources.”

“Why don’t you talk to the CEO?” asked Kavita.

“Yes. I will. He is a very reasonable person. He understands. Now or never. I need an answer. Whether they give me an increase or not, they cannot undervalue me. I will speak to him” Arpita moved.

“Yes. Arpita. Welcome. Nice to see you after quite a time.”

“Thanks sir. I just thought I must speak to you about my appraisal.”

“Sure, but before you say anything, congratulations. You have an excellent rating “Exceeded the performance.”? Kulwant spoke so high of you. He was appreciative. He said that you are indeed an asset to the organization.”

“But sir. “Arpita continued “He said otherwise. He said my expectations are far below.”

The CEO had a hearty laugh. “You know he is the typical man in black.”

“Man in black?” Arpita looked inquisitively.

“Yes. Men in Blak are not necessarily those who wear the black suits and sport black glasses and look after security and vigilance. You may not have read Oliver Goldsmith. He narrates the character of ‘The Man in Black.’ I read it during my college days, and I always look for such people both in office and outside. They are quite interesting to watch. They are indeed nice but put an air of superiority, a guise of authority and talk as if they do not make any compromise. They show to people around them that they are indeed difficult to handle but are tender and soft inside. They show their inner nature not to those who they directly deal with, but to the world outside them. Just what the great author has to say.”

The CEO downloaded the article and asked Arpita to read the first paragraph. It read.

“Though fond of many acquaintances, I desire an intimacy only with a few. The Man in Black, whom I have often mentioned, is one whose friendship I could wish to acquire, because he possesses my esteem. His manners, it is true, are tinctured with some strange inconsistencies; and he may be justly termed a humourist in a nation of humourists. Though he is generous even to profusion, he affects to be thought a prodigy of parsimony and prudence; though his conversation be replete with the most sordid and selfish maxims, his heart is dilated with the most unbounded love. I have known him profess himself a man-hater, while his cheek was glowing with compassion; and, while his looks were softened into pity, I have heard him use the language of the most unbounded ill-nature. Some affect humanity and tenderness, others boast of having such dispositions from nature; but he is the only man I ever knew who seemed ashamed of his natural benevolence. He takes as many pains to hide his feelings, as any hypocrite would to conceal his indifference; but on every unguarded moment the mask drops off and reveals him to the most superficial observer.”

The CEO continued “He is a man in conflict. He never wants to let others know what he has in mind. He often speaks quite opposite of what he wants to do. But when it comes to work, he is forthright. He things systemically. As the author says, ‘he is ashamed of his benevolence.” He does not want to give a true picture of himself.

Arpita smiled. Arpita explained to him the discussion she had with Kulwant. The conversation with CEO ended with a cup of tea and cordiality. “Take it cool. You are fine with the organization.” Arpita left with a smile.

Have you ever noticed a “man in black in your office?’ There are other shadows of the black colour too! Yes, their shadows speak louder than their mind!

Let me tell you about Subash. Subash was heading a department after a temporary promotion for the last two years though he had not been confirmed in the position due to some official selection procedures. Talking to his immediate successor Mathur, he said “Mathur, I have given you an outstanding rating in this year’s confidential report. I thought I must tell you. And you richly deserve it.”

Mr. Mathur smiled and said “Thank you. I know you are very fair.”

Just a few days before the selection committee could meet, Subash was told that as per the rules the first five seniors needed to be considered for the post by the selection committee. He came to know that the only person who stood at the top was Mathur with five-star ratings and that he has been given only four-star ratings by his boss. The chances of Mathur sidelining his own current boss to the position appeared bright.

Subash called Mathur and said “How crazy these people are? I have headed the department for nearly two years and now they say that I will have to compete with five seniors on the line. How can I work if they shuttle me down?’

Mathur did not offer a reply. A day before Mathur heard his records relating to the assessment were missing. He was approached to fill in a new form for ‘self-assessment.

“I have done it already.” Mathur claimed “My assessment is already over.”

The concerned executive explained to Mathur “Listen, Subash says he has not received your self-assessment.”

Mathur could very well understand the situation. He kept silent. His records in the final selection showed a rating of three on five.

Mathur laughed and said, “I had to deal with a Man in the black.” Mathur knew that there was a lack of fair play. He was a wise man. He knew that “Men in Black’ existed in all organizations, in all business and trades, in politics, in executives, in police and advocacy.

After all, there is no place for black in the spectrum “VIBGYOR’ that joins hands to illuminate the world!

Every organization has such people and dealing with them is indeed an experience! Look around, where is the “Man in Black” around you?

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