Crossroads of Decisions

Do you see yourself as a leader?

Shyam was on his way back home from the office. He used the bus as his regular means of commuting.


Usually Shyam would be actively looking for an empty seat in the otherwise crowded bus. The journey was long, the tiredness was real. But today he was distracted and made himself comfortable standing in an empty corner, in his mind he was alone with his thoughts.


Shyam was in his first job, it had been three years. He had joined the company as its first ever animator and remained its only one still. The company published children’s books and it was a time when animation along with children’s books was becoming a new and attractive feature to grab more attention.


The company was small, but the pay was decent. Shyam had almost complete freedom to put his thoughts into his work and give it his direction. He was enjoying it. Yes, he might have grown in a different manner under a senior and experienced animator but doing it on his own also had its own unique learning arc.


But not everything was smooth.


“You need to switch your company. How else will your salary grow by a big margin?” said Shyam’s elder brother Vijay


Shyam knew he was right but was afraid, what if the scope of freedom he had here regarding his input in work, got taken away at another company.


But one day an answer arrived but it also brought a question along with it.


“So how long have you been here now?” asked Mr Malik the company’s owner to Shyam after a work related meeting


“Sir somewhere around three years and two months,” replied Shyam


“Yeah. Look Shyam, I know you have to look for your future and just words alone to make you stay here would be completely unfair. But, the fact remains that we need you and we like your work, it’s working for us. Since the workload is also increasing, I was thinking we should make an animation department with you as its head. Of course your pay would be much better too,” said Mr Malik


“Thank you sir,” Shyam said, being happy that he might just have found a way to work with his freedom for some years more and then he will see where things can be taken ahead.


“You don’t have to agree to anything before thinking about it properly first. Afterall leading a team of your own is a big responsibility. Take your time, think about it and then tell me. If you agree to it, we will start working on it immediately along with upgradation to your work profile from the very next month,” said Mr Malik


Shyam stood in the bus with these thoughts and more.


“This is just a way to keep you in the company,” said Vijay while he was having dinner with Shyam at home and discussing work


“I know. Mr Malik did indirectly make it clear to me,” said Shyam


“Well I won’t lie, being a head of a department of your own will certainly boost things ahead in your career,” said Vijay


“Yeah, absolutely,” Shyam agreed even though he had not thought about it before.


“But the main question is, do you have what it takes to lead a team? Do you have any form of leadership experience?” asked Vijay


“In school my class was divided into groups with each group working on a science project of its own, I was the head of my group,” recalled Shyam


“.. so how did it go?”


Shyam recalled how the members of his group often ended up arguing over who would do what and eventually the majority of the work was left for Shyam to do.


“It didn’t go so well,” Shyam said


Vijay felt he should take things to a brighter side “Well nonetheless, school was many years ago, now you are more experienced and skilled. Go for it, if there is a problem I will guide you through it.”


Shyam thought about it late at night. He could work and he could find ways to work better and grow but could he actually find the space in his thoughts about team management.


The next day Shyam went to meet Mr Malik.


“I thought you might need more than an evening but I am glad you have come to a decision,” said Mr Malik


“Sir, I think a department would be great and I would certainly put my skills and expertise into developing it but whether I would be able to lead it is something I am not so sure of. I would suggest hiring a person who would be able to manage the department,” said Shyam


Mr Malik thought about it for a second and spoke, “Very well, if that is what you feel will be better. But you will still remain the head no matter who manages it. Everything will go through you before being put into action. So, yeah, let’s get started on it then.”


Shyan smiled as Mr Malik went through a diary in which he had written some ideas about the department.

Written by Anuran Chatterji

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