MBA Meets Sieve Size: Lessons in Curiosity from My First Day on the Job - CC 4

Fresh out of grad school, armed with an engineering degree and an MBA, I was bursting with enthusiasm as I joined Britannia Industries in Chennai. As part of the induction, I was handed a year-long schedule that promised rotations through various departments—procurement, finance, HR, production, R&D, and more. It felt like the perfect launchpad for my career.

Day 1 was to begin at the QA department, also known as Standards. This was where raw materials—flour, sugar, oil, flavors—were received, tested, and logged into the inventory system. My goal was clear: learn as much as possible, take diligent notes, and impress everyone with my keen mind.

The day began with a whirlwind of activity. Trucks rolled in with sacks of flour and drums of oil, each accompanied by colorful triplicate receipts. I watched as materials were sampled and tested—the gluten formation in flour, the purity of oils—before being meticulously documented and stacked in the warehouse. With great enthusiasm, I conducted a few tests myself, entered data into the system, and made detailed notes on every process. By the end of the day, I had filled 29 pages in my notebook and felt a glow of accomplishment.

Eager to share my hard-earned knowledge, I reported to my manager. With pride, I began explaining the processes, tests, and systems I had observed, dropping jargon to emphasize my grasp of the intricacies. My manager listened intently, nodding as I rattled off my achievements. Then, he leaned forward, lowered his voice, and asked, “What’s the sieve size of the sack carrying the flour?”

I froze. The sieve size? That single question wiped the smug smile off my face. All my notes, questions, and observations hadn’t prepared me for something so basic yet crucial. I muttered a feeble apology, and my manager, without missing a beat, sent me back to Standards to find out.

That moment marked a turning point in my career. I realized that knowledge isn’t just about collecting information or showing off what you know—it’s about being deeply observant, questioning everything, and staying curious, even about the small details.

Since that day, I’ve made it a habit to raise my hand and ask questions about anything I don’t understand. Curiosity, I’ve learned, isn’t just a trait—it’s a superpower. And it all started with a sieve size.

How do you stay curious? Share your story which might have embedded a life lesson !!

#CorporateChronicles #Curiosity #

P.S - You might want to read the other in these corporate chronicle series - https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/grapevine-effect-speed-power-informal-networks-gaurav-suri/ CC3