Two car rides, specifically had some special impact in my life.

The first one was on an Ambassador car. It was about 30 years ago. That was the time of my first job and my enthusiasm level was super high. I had a very good job as Regional HR Officer, with TCI Ltd for its Madras Region, reporting to Mr. KL Sharma, The Regional Manager. Sharmaji, as he was fondly addressed, was like a lion – was feared and respected. I wanted to impress him very badly. He gave me a princely increment of 125 Rupees, (a good Rs25 more than the Finance Officer!) and I was in very high spirits.

Sharmaji wanted to discuss something with me and I was waiting outside his room. He had obviously forgotten that he wanted to talk to me. When he came out of his cabin after 7 PM, he realised that I was waiting for over 2 hours for him. I had no problem waiting as long as I had a chance to impress him. He saw my eager face and did not want to disappoint me. It was even possible that he had forgotten what he wanted to discuss with me. Still wanted to be nice with me and told me ‘come with me in the car and I will drop you on the way my home and we can discuss in the car’.

I was thrilled and said ‘yes sir’. Those were my bus days, and getting a chance to travel with Sharmaji in his grand Ambassador was a wonderful. I was thrilled and was ready to pour out my ideas for the HR function in our organisation. Of course, Sharmaji was tired and was only trying to humour me as I was waiting for two long hours.

As soon as I got in to the car, I started (he just asked, how is it going.) with all my ideas. I did not look at his face to realise that he was not interested in what I was saying. But I was not the one to be stopped. He perhaps tried to tell me gently that we can discuss it later, but I won’t let go of the current opportunity.

After a few minutes, he was annoyed and abruptly stopped the car, and asked me to get out of the car. Then it hit me, sadly quite late, I was on the road, wondering! I walked to the next bus stand and took my bus home. Very hurt, I took leave the next day, to cry and lick my wounds.

Time fled, and about 7 years later, another car ride changed my life.

I changed jobs a few times, and thought was ready to be a HR Head. Less than 10 years of total experience, the world thought it was early, I felt I was ready. I was ready from the day one, may be.

I joined an engineering consulting company IDEA to take the HR Head’ role – as the current incumbent had put in his papers. He only hired me as he told, I would take his job. On the day of joining, I had a shock. He told me that he has decided to stay back and ‘we can work together’. Come on. I did not come here to ‘work together’. I came to lead! But I swallowed my disappointment and continued – did not have an option. About a year later, he resigned, this time he went really. (that’s another story!)

I was more than ready for the job now and thought that it was mine for taking. Sadly, life doesn’t go as we plan. The Chairman of the company, Dr. Kapoor thought I was too young for the job and felt I needed a boss to coach and train me on the job. And started to look for candidates – advertised in ‘Business India’. I was crestfallen.

I went to the MD (Mr. Sundararajan – MSR) and pleaded that I should get the job and I don’t want a boss! MSR was amused and said that he has no problem with that, but I should convince Dr. Kapoor.

Dr. Kapoor was operating from Calcutta and was visiting our office at Madras. I very badly wanted to have a chat with him on my issue and asked for time. Dr. Kapoor, was very busy on that day, and so forgot about it. No way I was going to get his time. I was desperate and asked MSR for his help. He told me that he cannot help, but suggested that I go to airport with Dr. Kapoor and talk on the way.

I was aggressive and unstoppable those days and decided to go. I went down and stood near his ‘Cantessa Car’. Cantessa was the luxury version of Ambassador.

I remembered my ‘Ambassador’ ride. But waiting and determined to do the ride any way. Dr. Kapoor came down little late, and had to rush to the Airport. When he was about to get in to the car, I told him that I am coming with him and before he could respond, I was in the car. He did not have a chance to drop me off as he was in a hurry as well.

I asked him that I wanted the job. He explained very kindly that I should learn more with a senior person before getting the big job. I listened carefully, but reiterated that I am ready and promised that I will do it well. He did not agree and kept maintaining his point. But I think he agreed with me in his mind. He did not persist on hiring my boss and as default choice, I took over!

That was an orbit changing ride.

Perhaps the ‘Ambassador’ ride prepared me for the ‘Cantessa’ ride?

Prof. Dr. D.J.E. Ravi Thilagan, M.B.A., Ph.D
Crescent School of Business