I am sharing a real-life incidence which happened with me long back; I was then working as a sales executive with an air-conditioning systems organisation. I did not have good chemistry with my boss, for whatsoever reasons the man seemed to be highly unappreciative of every action which I took. I was firmly convinced that the fellow had some different agenda, and that’s why he behaved harsh with me, to the extent that I had started hating my workplace.
However, there were many goods in the system. My colleagues were highly supporting, it was a very positive team, organisational policies were excellent, I was able to perform as per desired standards and on top of it, I was enjoying my job profile. One day, the pugnacious boss called me in his cabin for some discussion. Even before I went in, I had sensed negative vibes. My subconscious mind had started alarming me, and I knew it was going to be something big that day.
Inside his room, the discussions transformed into a heated debate, and eventually, I placed my resignation letter on the table. I said, “I can not take this crap anymore, I am quitting!” That’s when my demanding boss cooled down. He asked me to be seated and offered me a coffee. He said, “Ajit, forget whatever transpires in between you and me. I have my reasons for being different with you, but I wish to advise you to think twice before you resign.” He further said, “Let me suggest you withdraw your resignation for a simple fact that except for me, there are many positives in this ecosystem which you surely acknowledge. It would be wiser for you to trade off with one inconvenience to enjoy the host of favourable benefits!”
I was shocked to see that man talking sense with me. I knew not how to respond and then came the anti-climax. My boss broke a piece of sensational news, “Let me tell you that, I have already resigned from this organisation and currently serving my notice period! So, you better bear with me for some more time!”
A big lesson learned by me in the process – not all circumstances in life would present as per one’s wish and desires, Hundred per cent alignment of ideas and hypothesis is just a utopian idea. When you face difficulties in any situation, the first step must always be to practically analyse the positives coming out of it and then weigh those against the disturbing negatives! A sensible tradeoff is key to successfully dealing with people under challenging situations.
While one of the counselling sessions, one youth shared his story. He had been brought up in a family where his father was seen like a blue-eyed monster. I was told that the man was unempathetic, stingy as well as a harsh taskmaster. “Sir, I had many times thought of running away from my home, but, the overall support which I received from my family scored more. I made the tradeoff right and decided to accept my father as he was!”
Laddu Pinto was happy because he was awarded the much-awaited promotion. He was asked by the management to take charge of more significant territory, and the revised posting was in a new city. Laddu’s son was a student of a reputed school and pursuing his senior secondary education. While the new job brought many goodies to Laddu, his son had to face the challenge of adjusting with a new school environment, and also that of losing significant time in his school to home commuting process in an alien place. When the family discussed this challenge, they found that in the new school ( new city) the boy was getting better quality education and also they had access to best coaching classes as well as home tutors which were not available in the previous location. The family decided to go for a ‘wise tradeoff’ and accepted the shift into the new ecosystem.
Friends, in life, we may get exposed to tricky and challenging situations. Usually, we call it as a catch twenty-two fix! The best strategy is to go for a reasonable tradeoff by comparing the gains, and the loses. When overall returns outweigh the difficulties, it must always be sane to accept the undesired with courage and smile!