Unforgettable Experiences with My Boss: Lessons Learned from a Telecom Project

Throughout my career, there have been myriad instances that have taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, problem-solving, and the importance of ongoing learning. Two such instances stand out prominently, one concerning a memorable Leadership Feedback experience, and another during a critical Productivity Issues episode in the telecom industry. Each has left a lasting impact on my approach to work and my handling of the unexpected challenges that inevitably arise.

Leadership Feedback Experience: Independence Day Event

One of the most memorable experiences was during an Independence Day event at an earlier organization. As the Section Head, I was tasked with delivering a speech to the workers. I meticulously prepared a speech that praised the Management, acknowledged the contributions of freedom fighters, and highlighted the events leading to India's independence.

However, amidst the celebration, I took a moment to impart some contemporary insights on Indian polity and socio-economic settings. I argued that unless these issues were addressed, the high ideals of a free society envisioned by our forefathers could not be fully realized. While the crowd cheered, my boss was less than pleased with my impromptu remarks, as they did not align with his expectations.

Later that evening, a higher-ups from two levels above me, the Unit Head, came to congratulate me on the speech, which he believed to be exceptional and rare in his career. My boss, on the other hand, could only manage a polite smile. This experience taught me the importance of aligning my views and comments with the expectations of those in a position of authority and the perils of speaking off-script.

Productivity Issues: On the Front Line

Another significant incident occurred early in my career, during my work-with a telecom major. I was part of a team responsible for the Digital Front End of the product website or app. One weekend, a production issue arose which required immediate attention to prevent any potential impact on the end-users. Typically, management jumps in during such critical situations to ensure the issue is resolved swiftly.

Due to my lack of familiarity with the process, it took our team longer than usual to find and resolve the issue. This situation underscored the importance of on-the-job training and rapid response strategies. The next day, during a meeting with my immediate manager, I faced a grilling session in front of the entire bay—a very embarrassing experience. However, it served as a stark reminder of the importance of being prepared for any scenario and having effective problem-solving skills.

To tackle similar issues in the future, I vowed to focus on understanding all possible scenarios, ensuring we can quickly resolve issues by 'stopping the bleeding' first before diving into the root cause. While I can't provide the exact nature of the production issue, the experience and its resolution remain memorable and continue to guide my approach to problem-solving.

Conclusion and Takeaways

Both experiences taught me valuable lessons about leadership, the impact of my words and actions, and the criticality of ongoing learning. While one taught me the nuances of navigating leadership feedback, the other underscored the importance of being prepared and adaptable. It is these experiences that have molded my professional growth and continue to shape my approach to work.

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Thank you for reading. I hope you found these experiences as impactful as they were for me. Do follow and upvote if you enjoyed the read and felt it valuable for your own professional journey.