The Essential Diwali Lesson

Being in a cleaning business at Hammer and Mop, our peak season is Diwali when Indian households are keen to have the entire residence deep cleaned. As a result, as an organization, our maturity cycle often revolves around the festival with major investments and policy changes designed to fit in accordingly.

Does your perception matter?

The popular myth that an entrepreneur answers to no one but herself is often laid to rest in the first year itself. Those who keep believing and lead the misguided management lifestyle, pay for these sins very soon. Once it is an organization of multiple levels (in my case- the top management, the middle management and blue collar team members), you have a broad mix of people with different backgrounds. Individual perceptions regarding salary, holidays and ‘employment’ differ vastly.

While the young innovative entrepreneur might want to create a healthier atmosphere, not bend to norms but create new (and possibly more beneficial) ones, her disregard for norms ought not to affect the expected deliverables in any way. A simple example might be a ‘Diwali Bonus’, whose nature might change (because we are brave and got spunk) but replacing it with something that fetches long term gains for the same people will not be advisable. Make it short term and quick.

Diwali is a festival of happiness.

Employees look up to their leaders. If the leader/manager/you make it clear that you’re willing to go out of the way so your employees do not have to make adjustments every single time (because your genius idea takes time to germinate and make real money), it merely reinforces their trust in you. A leader need not always lead from the front, but the toughest battles and the stickiest situations is when she should be at the forefront with sleeves rolled up.

Diwali is much more than just a festival in India; it is a celebration of wealth, joy and abundance. The gifts for our employees have a priceless symbolic value, which when denied, might cause an irreparable dent to their morale. Our team members understand the marathon up to a certain limit (because our vision is grand, we are here for the long term and we have managed to convince our employees about the certain bigger picture too). However, they have expenses to take care of, families to shop for and Diwali to celebrate. Denying them this, or altering a simple gesture because of your individual quirk, might be counterproductive.

So what if you’re an entrepreneur?

Entrepreneurs are nothing but business people capable of adding beauty to a commercial transaction. The bravery, romanticism, quirkiness, mysticism and poetry might as well go for a toss, considering we are building an organization, giving jobs to people and making money for us all (and the nation). Our individuality might play a role in developing a personal and the organization’s brand, however, respecting what the festival stands for is healthy for the integrated work lifestyle (work-life balance is passé).

Family is a crucial backbone for every entrepreneur, so are our friends and loved ones. Taking time off work and celebrating one’s successes is necessary for a healthy mind and spirit. Diwali has distinct days for worshipping wealth and spending time with our families- something that adds value to the work we do and success we create. There is no bravery in junking celebrations for the blind pursuit of work, because respecting public opinion leads to a greater likeability factor (which helps).

So what if you’re an entrepreneur who leads a Spartan lifestyle?

• Gift your employees; enable a rich Diwali for them.
• Spend time with your family and loved ones. Spread happiness.
• Love yourself, celebrate your success.
• Plan for a wealthier future 🙂

Wishing you a fulfilling Diwali!

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