Leaders and the chore crew

My career has taught me adaptability, empathy, and humour

My career has been a whirlwind, shaped significantly by the diverse leadership styles I’ve encountered. From the fiercely ambitious and demanding to the overwhelmed and chaotic, my bosses have presented unique challenges and opportunities for growth.

My first boss, let me call her Ms U, was a driven and ambitious leader, who embodied a “work-life integration” philosophy. While this presented challenges, such as the difficulty of securing leaves, it also exposed me to a different leadership style. I observed how her unwavering dedication and high expectations could both inspire and motivate her team. This experience broadened my understanding of different leadership approaches and their impact on team dynamics.

When news of my impending nuptials reached Ms U, she offered me a blunt piece of advice: “Congratulations, but perhaps now would be a good time to explore other opportunities.”

I managed to secure a departmental transfer, but the new role placed me under the command of yet another demanding leader – this time, Mrs A. Her office resembled a war room, littered with post-it notes from her child’s schedules to grocery lists. 

Mrs A, an avid cook, found the constant churn of domestic chaos deeply frustrating. The disappearing maids left her with a mountain of unwashed dishes and a perpetually dusty house, inevitably impacting her mood and consequently, my work environment as well.

One particularly chaotic morning, Mrs A called me to her cabin urgently, looking visibly distressed. “My maid!” she exclaimed, and continued, “has vanished without a trace three days back. And with my husband constantly on the tour, juggling work, besides a mischievous toddler, my aged mother-in-law and these never-ending chores feels like trying to juggle chainsaws!”

I could empathise, recalling a similar situation at home. Back home, considering my own situation, my wife shared a successful -- a revolutionary one at that -- initiative put into practice by one of her classmates to tackle a similar domestic dilemma almost a year back. She hired three different service providers and divided the daily chores among them: one washed dishes, while another, swept and mopped, and a third looked after the laundry.

I passed on the idea to Mrs A, the next day, she listened sceptically. After a week’s leave, Mrs A returned to the office seemingly full of energy. Showing me the CCTV footage on her mobile, she said, “See my three-member chore crew at work.” It appeared Mrs A was somewhat happier with the new arrangement, and her demeanor towards me had noticeably improved.

Though my career has faced challenges, navigating the diverse leadership styles has taught me adaptability, empathy and humour. “Navigating the Leadership Jungle,” as I call it in jest, has forged my resilience.