Ownership?

"This work schedule is galloping my days, the work is way more hectic than I was promised", cries Supraja. Supraja works in the HR Operations department of Protech consultancies.

"My work-life balance has gone for a toss. I hardly get any time to spend with my daughter, and over the top they expect me to stretch...I am already working for 10 -12 hours a day, my life is not my work", she declares with angst. Her friend asks her why doesn't she quit.

"Arey, this was like a paradigm shift in career path, I am looking for some kind of hike or promotion, I have an appraisal call tomorrow, I have to base my decisions on that call."

The very next day

"You have learned the job very well Supraja, you are our rising star, keep up the good work", speaks Kalidas, Supraja's reporting manager. "Thank you, Kali, but I have one question to ask"!

"Go on", Kalidas gives the nod. "Kali, you know I come from a different background, I have lapped up and stepped up my game pretty quick and was up proactive in task completion, and your feedback also says you are happy with my work. I have been in this organization for over 6 years, and I think I deserve a promotion."

There is silence for a couple of seconds. "Kali, you there?" questioned Supraja. "Yes, Supraja, I was speaking on mute, yeah, you need to understand one thing Supraja." He pauses.?

"Yes, you are doing a good job, but here in Protech, you need to work as a manager before you become one officially. I need to get enhanced ownership from you to establish your presence in the leadership landscape, and you need to understand that everything has a quota and allotment cycle. You have to give your all to be in the leadership position, you need to stretch more, and make yourself available all the time. Then, I can think of taking your case to the management." declares Kalidas.

Supraja is visibly exhausted, frustrated, and fuming. Kalidas's usage of words from the manager's appraisal response template left her hopeless. Pulling all her mental energy, Supraja drinks a glass of water and responds, "I understand whatever you are saying Kali, but I have, and I am putting in my best and frankly I am surrounded by a group of incompetent people, who are getting better recognized than me." Kalidas responds, "Let me tell you one thing Supraja, everyone thinks they are the best, anyway, I have another call to catch up on."

"Ok Kali", Supraja clicks the End call button faster and harder than Sachin hits the ball for a six. She narrates her ordeal to her friend and declares that she will put down her papers in a couple of weeks as soon as she receives her hike letter, as compensation for her thankless efforts.?

For the next two weeks, Kalidas was on the task of reminding Supraja on taking up ownership and stepping up her game in almost every call, leaving Supraja counting the days to receive her hike letter.

Day of hike letter

"Finally, today is the day, I can take the hike and leave" laughs Supraja. But, before she could open her hike letter mail, her attention was shifted to another mail that read 'Last Working Day at Protech'. Supraja could not believe her eyes; she rubbed them to see the mail again. It was from her manager. "Thank you all for being a part of this wonderful journey for the last 3 years. Today is my last day at this organization, keep in touch - Kalidas Kalinger." the mail read.