You Are In A Wrong Room!

"Just Look Around"

His big boss started convincing him to reconsider his decision of leaving an 85 years old multinational company. "People on this floor are not as smart as you are. You'll be getting up the ladder here in no time"

Aditya, a young and dynamic management graduate from renowned institute, decided to leave his first ever job in less than 6 months. After campus selection, he felt a deja vu moment while listening carefully to his boss.

This reminded him of his high school days where he was a top ranker and a talented student, as they said.

"You'll continue to be the top ranker here. We've no doubt about it." His headmaster said. The 12 years old Aditya could feel the surge of happiness running through his lungs and ending into a smile. He came home with extreme pride and narrated the event to his mother. He was expecting a similar kind of reaction of pride and joy from her. But she remained indifferent. After a minute she casually asked him, "So you want to be the top ranker here!"

Aditya replied "Yes. Obviously. I am & I will"

"Then I won't let that happen" she was quick in her reply.

Aditya was shocked by his mother's reaction. "We'll discontinue from this school and join Bharat Vidyalaya from upcoming academic year" his mother who was a SSC pass from a village school announced an unexpected decision.

Aditya had mixed feelings. The first being obviously good that he will join a top notch school which is known for better academics, discipline and extracurricular in the entire town. While the bad one, fear, of losing his top rank among sharper and smarter students of Bharat Vidyalaya.

His mother sensed this feeling of fear and thought her work was half done. Later, when Aditya joined Bharat Vidyalaya and thrown away to the 16th rank in a class of 60, his mother asked "You were at the top here and now you're almost nowhere. How does that feel?" Aditya kept mum. He couldn't even utter a word. It took him 3 more years to get the spot in top 5 rank at Bharat Vidyalaya. "Aai! Now I'll tell you how does that feel!" Now the teen Aditya realised the hindsight behind his mother's decision.

"I'm not here to talk about your salary. That would be taken care of." The persuasive voice of his boss brought Aditya back to his senses.

"Are you getting me?" His big boss who is a VP of India for an MNC continued in a convincing tone. "I'm sure you'll achieve your professional goals much faster here. You're sharp and dynamic. I can see only couple of other people of your age having the same brilliance as you've. It would be much easier for you to grow in this company as well as this industry which is traditional and less competitive in nature as compared to the one you're choosing to be in."

Aditya was listening to him carefully.

"I'll surely reconsider my decision" Aditya should have replied as per his plan and the respect he has for his boss. Instead he replied - "I've made my mind Sir!"

His boss stopped convincing. Wished him all the best and meeting had to be adjourned.

Aditya came out of cabin with a new vigor in his eyes. Rushed to take out his mobile and call up his mother. "Aai, the boss says I'm the smartest guy here. And asking me to reconsider my decision."

"So what's your final decision?" His mother, now in her early 50s asked.

"Thanks Aai! For the lesson you've taught me when I was just 12 years old. I'm leaving this organisation and joining the one where I won't be the smartest one."

Both of them just smiled: Aditya, for truly understanding what his mother wanted him to be 14 years ago and his mother, for she reaped the benefits of the seeds sown by her. Young Aditya got his lesson right-

If you're the smartest in a room, you're in a wrong room.

He pledged to continue with this lesson for lifetime!