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My Boss
Flight from Delhi was delayed and getting late on first day of office concerned me. Fretting, cursing the Indian airlines and wary of being caught for being late I entered the office on 4th floor. Mumbai was new to me and so was this office.
As I crossed the first row of workstations, a familiar face crossed me, smiled and greeted a friendly "hello." I knew I had seen him somewhere. Was this déjà vu... as I thought hard, I remembered... it was the man I had seen on the website of my new office. Oh, of course, he was Dr. Eric Schaffer. But why did he smile at me, did he know me or was this his way of telling me "Caught you!!! You late comer."
Days at office passed in bliss, not too much work but some more education, training and exercises. One of those days I again saw that friendly face cross me and enter the training room to clear up some doubts. The childlike smile, the over enthusiastic approach, the "never say never attitude" impressed me.
I got busy with my work and days and months rolled by. I would occasionally catch a glimpse of him walking past or give a presentation which I made a point not to miss.
As I continued working and living, I got a mail from Abhijit (my then boss) that I was to do a project in Europe and report to Eric for it... I admit I liked Eric's approach and enthusiasm but I was definitely not prepared to work on any project with the CEO of the company. God!! What was happening? Was this God's bigger plan to get me out of HFI. I had sleepless nights just at the thought of it. Work began and we flew to London (together!!!!). I tried speaking to him and realized that the more I spoke to him, the more I felt at ease. Working with him was like being with my father, always sheltered and cosseted. He was not a CEO anymore, but a colleague who I could trust and who was always ready to teach and mentor. Never did he make me feel that I did not know enough. In fact wherever he thought I was failing, he would take the lead. I was genuinely enthralled by his values, principles and rectitude.
The next chance I got to know him was when I was with him at Canada, CHI conference. He once again surprised me by his enthusiasm and dynamicity. He held a focused vision in mind – expansion and growth of his company. As I stood behind the HFI counter, I saw him appreciate my country in front of all other nationalities. He held pride in saying that he offshored business to India and was confident of the quality. I wondered why the Government of India has not yet awarded him for being the Brand Ambassador of India.
To be working with him, training with him, listening to his stories, it's all an experience to cherish. He inspires me to keep moving ahead and never stop dreaming, the path may be however rough and the upheavals however strong.
After dinner, Apala, Eric, Noah (Eric's son) and me drove back home. As we approached my residence, the roads were blocked and he asked his son to walk me home since it was late at night. Would the CEO of any company bother to drop an employee home because it was late? Would anyone take that extra effort of waiting while his son walks the girl home. He surprises me with his modesty and authenticity. He is someone I will look up to and always admire as a "Visionary with a heart."
posted by The Amateur @ 12:32 AM
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