Happy as a boss in India! I often think that my adopted country should be close to heaven for people who are thirsty for power and its attributes. Here, the importance of hierarchy remains such that those who occupy the top of the professional pyramid are almost treated like living gods. Want to know how we do it? My suggestion is made in India.
In general, Indians attach great importance to degrees, honors or academics. We give “doctor” doctor or holder of a doctoral degree (PhD), “teacher” university teacher, “Captain” for pilots, “Your Honour” for the ambassadors… Impossible to cut it!
Against hierarchical superiors, it is therefore important to show respect verbally. If the leader doesn’t have a title, you can always use “Sir” Where “mom” attached to his first name: “Deep sir”, Where “Here ma’am”. suffix -Ji, which expresses respect in India, will also be widely used: “Deepakji”, “Nehaji”, “Master ji”, “Bu ji”…
Shamelessly flattering the boss
The Indians never hesitate to use the most shameless flattery against their tribal chief. I’ve seen people kiss their manager’s shoes in public before, without fear of ridicule (which didn’t come). Heard at awards night: “Your achievements are extraordinary sir, I learn every day from you, it is an honor to work with you.” As if knowing how to satisfy your n+1 is basic professionalism.
Even in the most progressive organizations, employees show a strict respect for hierarchy. I remember a conversation with the HR department of a French company founded in India, who told me they had the greatest difficulty getting genuine feedback on initiatives implemented at the company, because employees were paralyzed by the fear of making mistakes.
Don’t change “office boys”
Attention ! The hierarchy is not limited to the boss, it applies to the entire organizational chart. “Don’t change the AC temperature yourself, that’s Bhupendra’s job!” Thus I was able to hear during my first experience in India. Like most offices in India, the organization I work for has several office boy, also called soldier, whose role is to prepare tea or coffee, adjust the air conditioner, make photocopies, take care of routine repairs, carry letters…
A large number of stains which I would be advised to take from them. It could mean that I don’t know my place in the hierarchy, or that I might even steal their work. Thanks to the well-meaning warnings of colleagues, I was able to avoid several such mini-diplomatic incidents.
What place for women?
Having worked mainly in education and higher education, I have rarely been personally confronted with sexism because the environment is largely feminine, as in France. But one step aside in the business world and the reality is very different.
It the proportion of Indian women in the working population is declining since the early 2000s. In 2019, the figure was 21%, one of the lowest in the world. This means that some work environments are almost exclusively male and it is very difficult to reach a position of responsibility when you are a woman.
However, any simplification would be misleading. Paradoxically, Indians are used to seeing women in positions of power. In politics, one can certainly think of Indira Gandhi, but also Sonia Gandhi, Mayawati or Mamata Banerjee. In the economic sphere, Chanda Kochhar served for many years as CEO of bank ICCI, Rekha Menon headed Accenture India, and Falguni Nayar as beauty marketer Nykaa. Already understood? Yes ma’am, thank you ma’am.
