Travails of returns - Part 20

My 20th in a series documenting traits to start a business in India, and how we tackled them early at OfBusiness and Oxyzo.

Now, it’s the turn of dealing with nuisance, oddities that no one loves. But are unavoidable for human behaviour is frail and slips, even at the cost of harming oneself.

In my times, we have seen four scenarios.

1. The worst, directly harming the company, like a commercial loss or reputational loss.
2. Directly harming a team member: harassment, toxicity or acting immorally.
3. Indirect in nature, like harming the culture by setting a wrong precedent, not exactly directed at someone, but in equal measures to all.
4. Indirect in nature, wherein you have a short term gain and hence looks good, but deceptive because harms in the long run.

I’m sure most face all 4.

Scenario 1, we have always dealt sharply. Collectively, decisively. With all our might in accordance with the laws of the land. Irrespective of the stage, age and criticality of business juncture. Business is built with the sweat, tears and blood of many. Not to be taken for granted by a few. There have always been naysayers who have come to say that we should let it go, let the line managers deal with it, etc. Not us, though the way we have evolved is that, if there is a heartfelt apology, then the action is stopped and a chance given.

Scenario 2, in our opinion, requires a similar immediate action. Even when the person involved is a senior or when the person has a so called business reason for doing it. It has to start with a warning imparted by senior management with HR facilitating and after the first warning, has to lead to harsh action. To err twice on the dimension is unforgivable.

Scenario 3, has typically happened when the perpetrator has got away with similar actions in different contexts. It needs coaching, again from the senior management, but only for a finite time, at best a quarter. After that, action has to follow like scenario 2.

Scenario 4 is the most dangerous. It happens when wrongful values are set at the top. And when such incidents happen, and god forbid cheered, it is for the senior management to step back, reflect and admit they have set the wrong direction. They should then, own up and lead by example in the contrary.

I am sure that there are other scenarios as well.

(But we believe that all other scenarios require mentoring, tutoring and counselling).

I am sure that some may feel that some of the actions maybe a tad harsh, but building a business is real and a no-nonsense approach to nuisance has always suited us best at OfBusiness and Oxyzo.

#lifeatofbusiness
#lifeatoxyzo

Also Read:- Travails of returns – Part 19