I was the A and Q staff officer [ personnel and operational logistics ] to a brigade commander in the mid seventies at a location near the line of control [ LC] in the J and K sector . The infantry battalions placed under the operational control of the brigade used to be turned over every two years . Whenever a new battalion was inducted , following the handing/taking over of responsibilities , it was customary to give a formal farewell to the outgoing battalion and thereafter the new battalion used to host a dinner to the commander and his staff to know each other [officers of the battalion and the staff at the brigade] .
In one such occasion , the new battalion commander , a very enterprising guy , took me to one side and asked me – Hari , while I have heard a lot about the commander , I would like to know from you anything special which I need to take care while working with the commander .
I gave the commanding officer two tips which I said will help him manage his boss very well socially – One – in any party , request him to sing a song . My Commander was a good singer . He will decline but you ask him three times and he will oblige . He carries a note book with his favorite songs written down always . Second , at the dining table , ensure that the steward offer him the dessert at least twice [ a second helping] . If you do these two things without fail , all your operational duties and obligations will be taken care of .
The battalion commander thanked me profusely . Believe me he and his battalion had done well during the two years they were with our brigade and the battalion commander – a colonel then , retired as a major general in the army !!.
Do we get or give similar tips in boss management in the industry ? I am sure you do .