What is in it for young managers?

The reality of any young graduate who may get a rural placement may resonate with that of Abhishek Tripathi aka Sachivji (Jitendra Kumar) from the web series, 'Panchayat', an Indian Hindi-language comedy drama television series created by 'The Viral Fever', for Amazon Prime Video.

This Sachivji, as he is fondly called, gets the shock of his life when he first arrives at 'Phulera' the village (although if you Google the original name of the village may be different but that is not our concern). Subsequently how this Sachivji, the 'protagonist',(this is the word all management graduates love, thanks to the case studies they study), explores himself, the people and systems around him and what he gets to learn and acquire, can offer some interesting management lessons for the newly joined MBA graduates.

Although this protagonist is aware that he will be required to stay in a village because of the nature of his job,he isn't well prepared for it and fumbles and mumbles initially. What Phulera does to him and what he does for the village, both are potent with some very basic life-lessons including that of management and are worth looking into.

Here are a few lessons for the reader that the author has picked from the web series:

• Yes this can happen to anyone!! It is not necessary that it has to be a government job. It can be a private too! Many projects like that of outsourced railway works, mining, or any industry for that matter may have their installation, construction or some other work taking place in a remote location and therefore they may get their newly joined young force to be at that location for a certain duration. This means the comforts of an urban life may go for a toss for a while ('for a while', please note). But like everything in life, this situation also has some advantages, actually unique advantages. We will see what they are.
• What most young graduates may do in such a situation? They may simply quit. But look at Sachivji, he stays put! that is a choice he exerts. Running away is the easiest thing to do. But not giving up instantly, is a way forward. At that age for any graduate, being independent gives great joy. Being able to earn for oneself and being able to spend on oneself gives tremendous happiness. In the vagaries of life, one may miss to watch out for these perks, that this seemingly challenging situation is all set to offer with open arms.
• Besides everything, the exposure to ground realities may lay an extremely solid foundation for the young grads. C.K. Prahalad's, 'The fortune lies at the bottom of the pyramid', is what one can read, relate and make the most of while one is (feels like 'being caught') in such a situation. This book might just be one of the most appropriate reads. It makes a case for the fastest growing new markets and entrepreneurial opportunities being found among the billions of poor people 'at the bottom of the [financial] pyramid'. Bill Gates says,"it offers an intriguing blueprint for how to fight poverty with profitability."
• Although one may also realise that rural lives are not necessarily poor lives. Also, they may offer rich grounds for exploration and innovation and therefore should not be undermined. Can there be a bigger ambition than being able to add wealth, prosperity and quality to all those who have been waiting for it for long? Can this become a vision for young management graduates? Author is contemplating. Such jobs provide an opportunity to see and empathise with what matters to most of the people around us. What their real needs are? What their real emotions are? What gives them happiness? What are their pain areas? in the best possible manner. Using this knowledge and experience may lead to some great innovations tomorrow by these young corporate leaders of today.
• Anyone who has worked in the rural segment will always have an edge over one's competitor since s/he would have felt the pulse of a bigger and a more diverse customer base.
• When to quit? Yes one may choose to do this as well but under what circumstances that one needs to be mindful about. Say if the company isn't paying what it promised, or there is some perceived threat to life (which in case of the webseries even this is not a constraint, but it is a webseries and not happening in reality) or something similar to this. Not simply because there is no multiplex around or online shopping is difficult. Visiting nearby cities and enjoying such facilities sometimes should not be a problem. This can be taken care of in some or the other way.
• If you allow me to go a little far in my suggestions, it is a great time to hone cooking skills. Nothing is as liberating as being able to cook a good meal for oneself. Give it a try. Staying fit by cycling or walking to work may actually help better one's health. It can keep you in the pink of your health. Oh, did you read Pinki in place of pink? haha! But beware of the pinki ke papa, as all are not as sweet as the 'Pradhanji' (proxy although) or esle one may end up just having mumgeri lal ke haseen sapne!!:)
• So look at the positives, stay put, earn and save as much as you can (as there will be minimal that you may be required to spend on:)), make friends and above all chill..ye to shuruwat hai..picture abhi baki hai mere young dost!