Threads of Excellence

I am trying to put down just some random thoughts that came through my mind in last few days. The intent is not to belittle or disregard anyone in the process. I am using some examples from our mythology only for highlighting the point that I want to convey. I must also state that I am not an atheist.

The current news on justification of celebrities acts have made me think that how Bosses also behave like celebrities only. To understand this better, let me make an attempt to define Celebrities. Wikipedia (mother of all knowledge repository) defines

A celebrity is a person who has a prominent profile and commands some degree of public fascination and influence in day-to-day media. The term is often synonymous with wealth (commonly denoted as a person with fame and fortune), implied with great popular appeal, prominence in a particular field, and is easily recognized by the general public.

Celebrity status for any one is not a permanent. We have seen several celebrities in our life time who have nothing to say after their utilities as celebrity is over. There have several Stars of yesteryear who have lived the life of unknown. ‘Home Alone’ star Macaulay Culkin a huge celebrity once is today facing drug related legal battles. Celebrities like Lance Armstrong lost many supporters when had to face the drug trials. It is also possible that many of them regain their celebrity status. Gods like Rama and Krishna are also celebrities of their time. Consider the fact that there are temples for M G Ramachandran, an all-time celebrity in Tamilnadu. If you carefully go through the Puranas and other religious scriptures that narrate life of them it is not difficult to find that how their “wrong” acts have been justified by building stories and justification around.

A classic criticism of Rama’ life have been his act of mistrust on his wife. He did that twice. Once after winning the war when he asked Sita to testify by entering into fire. Second time he decided to send her to exile based on the comment from a washer man. From the context of our life today, these act may even deserve attention by Domestic Violence Act. But the religion and authors of religious books have justified these act by creating stories and philosophical justification for Rama’s decision. The debate can continue between people who are religious and those who are rationalists. I am not against Rama and Krishna.

Krishna’s acts of stealing have always been justified as act of love. Krishna’s acts (read mischievous acts) during war is justified by various means in Mahabharata. We today know that in simpler term as “everything is fair in war”

Let us now look at the BOSSES. They are celebrities in their own way. Most of us would have read this somewhere or other, I definitely do not know the source of this.

When I Take a long time to finish, I am slow.

When my boss takes a long time, he is thorough.

When I don’t do it, I am lazy.

When my boss does not do it, he is busy.

When I do something without being told, I am trying to be smart.

When my boss does the same, he takes the initiative.

When I please my boss, I am apple polishing.

When my boss pleases his boss, he is cooperating.

When I make a mistake, I’ am an idiot.

When my boss makes a mistake, he’s only human.

When I am out of the office, I am wondering around.

When my boss is out of the office, he’s on business.

When I am on a day off sick, I am always sick.

When my boss is a day off sick, he must be very ill.

When I apply for leave, I must be going for an interview.

When my boss applies for leave, it’s because he’s overworked.

When I do good, my boss never remembers.

When I do wrong, he never forgets.

We must also remember that these justification works as long as BOSS is BOSS. Hence within a lifetime of an organisation BOSS is a CELEBRITY. Whether we like or not, we all clamour to have an association with him as mere proximity gives a pleasure and a sense of achievement. The power of proximity with a BOSS is so high that the effect would be noticeable in almost every staff who is closest to the BOSS on routine basis.

Will we ever come out of Celebrity Worship stage? I am not sure. Human kind has always followed a Hero Worship from the days he has become social animal. The most worshipped god in Pre-Vedic period was Lord Indra, who represents the kings. Kings in the early society was typically most powerful person. We again learnt it from our forefather. If you notice a group of Monkeys, the strongest and biggest monkey would be leading the group.

At the same time, I also see people at large becoming more aware and outspoken. This may not reduce celebrity worship, but the celebrities may not get the same response if they do not come up to the expectations of people.