It was about 18 years back. I was new to corporates and was slowly learning the tricks of the trade – the art of surviving in a corporate.
People around me told me a big secret to success –
“Come to the office before your boss comes. And leave only after your boss leaves”.
I was naive and didn’t understand. But the people around were helpful.
I remember asking them, “But why should I wait in the office if my work is done?”
And they said, “That is if your work is done. The secret is in not doing it until your boss leaves”.
I was confused and couldn’t fall in line with that advice. I was just getting into the groove.
One day, I had to stay back because I couldn’t finish my work. Others around me had left. The boss was still in the office.
As she got ready to leave, she saw me and walked up to me.
She asked me, “What you are doing this late? You always left on time.”
I replied, “I have some pending work”.
She smiled and said, “Don’t get into this habit”.
And she walked off.
As she walked, she turned and looked at me. Then she smiled again and said, “By the way, if you weren’t able to finish a job that was meant to be finished in 8 hours, you will not be able to finish it even in 15 hours”.
If you’ve ever been preached the success mantra of staying back, then you have been lied to.
Being on time – both to office and from the office is still a virtue.
And true leaders do realize that.