Sometime you spend sleepless nights thinking how to tackle new Boss. Or get head ache when thinking to go to office and meeting the Boss.
Earlier I narrated my experience with my Boss... Debashish. Now..... suddenly it changed and I got a new Boss, Mr. Vinodh Chelambathodi, Global Head - HR.
His appointment was most secret one in the Company and this created a hurricane on joining. There were lot of rumous .........he is short tempered, very agressive, going to fire all old timers, creating his own Team ...can abuse and say "get out"...... unending!
When Debashish resigned, my function got merged with HR and I started reporting to Vinodh. |Many people mentioned me that Vinodh meeting a new prospective Head of Recruitment every week and my days are counted. Watch out!!! I was very worried!
I started inter acting with Vinodh slowly. First, I found him to be very simple ....and transparent.... getting along with seniors and juniors very easily. I used to work from a different location far from Corporate Office so all I heard is conversations from different people. One thing I immediately observed on my visit to Corporate Office was that he goes for a Tea or Lunch break with junior most people to nearby joints. One of the indicators of simplicity. Though worried about my job in my mind, I went with him couple of times and found him to be very approachable and at ease. I saw him communicating serious tasks in normal conversations and found those very interesting. Many in his capacity will call you to the Cabin and as a Student you need to sit in front of the Boss, take notes and then execute.
I planned to go to Palakkad for my niece's marriage and while taking leave approval he asked me how am I returning. And suggested why cant I accompany him while return. I never expected this from a Boss who is going to end my life in Polaris. I must detail this out ... as I was on a vacation, I did not carry formal shirts and when Vinodh asked me to accompany him I started worrying what to wear. I told Beena that I will have to purchase a new plain shirt. I dressed up very formal (including my cufflinks) and landed at Ottapalam where we decided to meet. It was a shock when I met him, HE is in a Jean, Tee and wearing a Reebok Slipper. I was completely out of place. We got into the Car and I told him "Vinodh I am feeling very bad .. will change this shirt to a Tee ... I had to change. That is my Boss, Vinodh. Then, during my journey from Ottapalam to Kochi and then to Chennai, I got to know him better and found that he is absolutely transparent and simple. Rest everything is stories.
My function Talent Acquisition Group is the most thankless one.... and it may be in most of the companies. So, my job is to deal with escalations on every day basis and Vinodh will be in cc in almost all mails. One wonderful thing I observed is the way he deals with escalations. You would have seen Bosses who will push you to the water when you are already drowning, contrary whenever I go to him with tension, he will be the "coolest" person on earth and will advise in one sentence what to do. He will support you completely.
I always found him very open to take suggestions and gives free hand. He has deeper understanding of the subject and quickly understands the challenges being faced. Very good in empathizing with you. He is one person who will make you think beyond the limits. Vinodh's idea of adopting "gamification" in HR was an eye opener for me. I never had any idea OR heard of this. After this, I started thinking applying "Total Football" concept in Recruitment and currently mentoring the Team as how to follow SPIRIT of any game ..the spirit of a T20 Cricket or a Football Match.
It is amazing to know that Vinodh had different interests ... he likes to go for movies, parties and to Temples. But his main interest is GYM... GYM.... I cannot accompany him to any Gym but got wonderful opportunity to visit Sabarimala along with him and his friends. Everything was well organized to the dot. I repeat ... in all these occasions .. he demonstrated his simplicity. Now, very interesting turn in my life is that I am going to report another new Boss .... Ghana Syam who comes from Delivery background and no more with HR Department. What it means is that I need to bow out of Vinodh's leadership and this is very painful for me. I am definitely going to miss all the conversation about HR strategies, gamification, movies, Gym, Parties ...... big list of things. I am opening a new page in my Career. However, I will love to work with Vinodh any time in my life. Vinodh .. none can match you and you are amazing!
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