Year 1967, Place – Srinagar, Kashmir.
My first assignment in the Army with Project Beacon, Border Roads Organization. We were staying in the Beacon Officers Mess on the Boulevard overlooking the Dal lake in a rented three storied apartment. As is customary, each member staying in the mess is generally assigned some duty like the food member, wine member, garden member, etc. As I was a mechanical engineer, I was asked to be the “Essential Services member” which basically meant to ensure that there is a supply of hot water for bathing in all the rooms. I had to arrange used oil from the Army supply depot [on friendship basis] and use it to get the boiler going and supervise the work of the boiler operator.
Within a few days of my taking over the above duty, one morning at about 7 AM, I got a message to meet the Chief Engineer, a brigadier, staying at the third floor of the mess. I promptly reported to him. He asked me “Are you a good engineer ?” and I replied “Yes, Sir”. He said “I do not think so” and asked me to go to his bathroom and check the water supply. To my horror, there was no hot water!! [I found out later that the stock of used oil had run out and the operator could not arrange fresh supply in time]
The Brigadier told me ‘Look young man, you are a good engineer to me if I get hot water in my tap when I need it. I couldn’t care less if there is oil or no oil or the boiler is working or not. That is your problem. Go, get lost and don’t give me another chance. Any doubt?
That was my first lesson in management – You are judged by the results and not by your work!! My MBA qualification later on, only confirmed this lesson.