I have worked in two big organizations – IOCL for around a year and NHAI for two and a half years. These three and a half years of my professional life have taught me some of the valuable lessons which I am sharing with you:
1. Never settle in your life:
When I joined IOCL fresh from college, I used to believe that I will settle for my whole life in this organization. I was an officer-level employee earning good salaries and allowances. I was living in a township with sports facilities, including a gym and swimming pool. It was a good time as I was allotted a 3BHK flat right at the entry-level.
But I looked beyond the rosy picture. I was working in the maintenance department, overseeing the projects in Refinery Township. Though I had the authority, I was made to deal with local contractors who showed no professionalism in their work. I found that my growth and learning is limited; therefore, when I got the opportunity to work at NHAI, I took it though I had to pay a huge sum of 3 lakhs as a bond amount.
The learning was compensated in NHAI as I was dealing with big infrastructure projects, and meeting top officials from the corporate and government, which gave me a sense of authority too. But after working for a few years, I realized the working environment at NHAI is not very conducive. It was struggling with an improper system, high corruption, incompetent staff, and frequent transfers.
I found a way to move out of it and got into IIM Bangalore. I know things might not be rosy in the future too, but I have learned to move on and not “settle down” because that is how you strive to put effort and grow and succeed in your life.
2. Don’t constrain your life only to the job:
I have seen that people stay late at the office, though it is not required. My manager at IOCL stayed beyond the office hours even if there was no productive work during that time. I had made up my mind not to stay beyond office hours, which helped me in two ways- firstly, I put my best to be as productive during office hours and secondly, I used my post-office hours for personal growth such as workouts, writing, or reading books.
I continued the same when I went to NHAI. I avoided coming office on weekends while my other colleagues would arrive for work (or fun) to the office. It allowed me to travel places, study analytics, maintain a healthy relationship with my partner and crack the CAT exam.
3. Work smart, not hard:
Your time at work matters less than the outcome of your work. I kept the end goal in my mind whenever I approached a task. In IOCL, I knew the contractors would not work unless I have a grip on them, so I checked their bills in great detail. In NHAI, I knew how much to work on my own and how much to delegate to my staff. I worked more to understand things thoroughly, which helped in quickly getting the work done. I developed good relations with my colleagues and seniors, who were ready to help me anytime I got stuck. That is how I was able to extract free time during my office hours which I devoted to personal stuff.
4. Maintain good relations:
I maintained good relations with everyone in my professional journey. I realized that I spent 50% of my awake time at the office, and it would not be good if I have to go through clashes and arguments in the office. I always took the path to politeness which used to work most of the time. There is no point in shouting at people; if I want to convey a strong message, I used to give it in writing, which kind of acts as a record and therefore more effective.
5. Be honest with your work:
Despite several opportunities, I never resorted to illegal means. I was always the proponent of the right things and worked as if it were my own company rather than a government organization. I kept intact the ethics and values in which I have grown, keeping the organization supreme. I always believe, “Good things happen to good people” and therefore tried to attract good things by being a good person.