It was time for a quarterly business review in our office. One by one, the members of our team were going to meet the manager in his cabin to discuss their performance during the last quarter. His cabin is right in front of my seat and I could clearly see through the glass and get a hint of how the review of others was going. Rahul, my friend from the team, was the next one to go inside the cabin for his review. We all knew that Rahul’s performance during the last quarter wasn’t good at all. All of us could, therefore, anticipate the scenario in the boss’s cabin. After his review got over, the door of the cabin opened. Just when Rahul was about to come out, the Manager made his final remark in a frightening voice-“Rahul, if you can’t do your job well then start looking for another. I will hire someone else.” Though the words were uttered for Rahul, but they had almost an equal impact on all of us sitting outside the cabin. Rahul started to think as to what would happen if he had to leave. How would he be able to carry out the responsibilities of his family? After thinking about it for a long time, he realised the value and importance of his job.
Just three days later, I came across a story which somehow reminded me of my colleague Rahul. It was a story of a gardener and the owner of the house. Once, a young boy went to a nearby telephone booth and made a call to apply for a job. While the boy was making a call, the booth owner was quietly observing him. Here’s the short but beautiful telephonic conversation that took place between the two:
Boy: Madam, would you please hire me as your gardener? I will keep your garden absolutely clean and green.
Lady: No, I have already hired someone sometime back.
Boy: Madam, I am ready to work at half the pay of what you are giving to the person you have hired.
Lady: But, I am completely satisfied...
Boy (in a yet more requesting tone this time): Madam, I would not just take care of your garden, but would also clean your house at no extra cost.
Lady (in a confident voice): I am sorry but...
Boy: OK. Thank you.
The boy put the receiver down. However, instead of feeling sad about the denial of a job, he had a satisfactory smile on his face. ...The booth owner was utterly puzzled. ...
Are you also puzzled? What made boy gave such a satisfactory smile? How did the author get an inspiration from the above incident in securing of the job? To know this and furthermore, read the complete article in Feb’16 edition of English Akhand Gyan Monthly Magazine.
