661. Mr. Dynamic!

Paranthaman, a departmental manager in his firm, was called Mr. Dynamic, by the people working in the firm. His colleagues were amazed by the excitement, enthusiasm and energy, showed by him in carrying it out his tasks. Propelled by his dynamism, people would often unconsciously accept his commands and suggestions.

Kannan, Paranthaman's colleague and a close friend once told him, "If I say something, even my assistant doesn't pay heed. But, in your case, even the General Manager listens to you, as if you were his boss!" 

When a vacancy arose for the position of a Deputy General Manager in the firm, it was to be filled by elevating one of the four departmental managers to that position. 

While, it was widely expected that Patanthaman would be promoted to that position, another departmental manager Ramamurthy was selected to fill in the position. 

Paranthaman was shocked by the development.

"Why did they they choose Ramamurthy over me?" he lamented to Kannan. "Ramamurthy is known to be passive. But they have chosen him over me, a person considered a dynamic executive by everyone in our firm. Our General Manager is known for his fairness and neutrality. Perhaps, he acted as per the wishes of the Chairman." 

"No. This was the decision of the General Manager" said Kannan.

"How do you know?"

"The General Manager himself told me!" said Kannan, reluctantly.

"He told you! When? Why should he talk to you about this?" asked Paranthaman, with surprise.

"Soon after the promotion of Ramamurthy as the Deputy General Manager was announced yesterday, the General Manager called me to his cabin. He said, "Kannan! Paranthaman not getting this promotion could be as much shocking to you as it will be to your friend. The reason for Paranthaman not getting the promotion is his performance, or his lack of performance, to be more precise. Though he appears to be dynamic and enthusiastic, there is a problem about him. He doesn't complete the tasks taken up by him. He will take up an activity with a lot of excitement and enthusiasm. But, before completing that task, he will become diverted to some other issue. As a result, many of the tasks taken up by him remain unfinished. From the management's perspective, we will look at the outcomes, not the action. I brought this problem to the notice of Paranthaman, several times. He assured me that he would complete the task, but most often, won't. His attention is diverted towards many things. He lacks focus. Displaying dynamism by taking up a task with enthusiasm and taking quick action serves no purpose, if the task is not taken to its logical conclusion. Ramamurthy is calm and he doesn't appear excited, outwardly. But he concentrates on doing a job and completes it efficiently. So, he has been able to show results in a much better way than Paranthaman. That was the reason for his getting selected for promotion. Paranthaman has not understood his shortcoming, despite my talking to him about it, several times. Since you are his riend, I think he will understand his problem better, if you talk to him about it. If he becomes aware of his fault, corrects himself and learns to complete the tasks undertaken by him, by having his focus on them, he will be able to come up well in his career. He is knowledgeable and talented, no doubt. But, if a person's actions are not efficient, his talents won't help him. Make him understand this. Getting the promotion he missed this time at the next opportunity is in his hands.' This is what the General Manager told me."

After a pause, Kannan added, "After listening to him, it appeared to me that there was some truth in what he said."

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 67
Efficiency in Action

Verse 661 (in Tamil):
vinaith thitpam enbadhu oruvan manath thitpam
maRRaiya ellAm piRa.

Meaning:  

Efficiency in action comes from the determination one has in doing the act. Other factors would rank below this.  

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'Mr. Dynamic' by the same author.) 

Verse 662
Verse 660