CEOs and managers wanting to puncture the stress bubble these days have several options. Some can head to the nearest gym and burn away those blues. Some can simply switch off their technical gizmos and spend some quality time with their loved ones. Some can start learning yoga and meditation. Some can choose to put off the lights at home, put on some soothing music and relish their favourite tissue restorative, sans any distraction.
Others can pick up any work of P G Wodehouse or Terry Pratchett and recharge their batteries. Or, they can look up the delightful work of such eminent cartoonists as R K Laxman and Mario Miranda, both of whom have looked at managerial situations with the lens of sparkling wit and humour.
In Mario Miranda’s cartoons and illustrations, we come across the buxom but woolly headed secretary, Miss Fonseca. We also get to meet Mr. Godbole, the diffident and spineless manager, who is placed rather high in the hierarchy of goofy characters. And yes, no office scenario can be complete without a stiff-upper-lip superior, The Boss. He is the Lord and Master of all that he surveys.
Here is a delectable sample of some of Mario Miranda’s great work. Each one has an in-built lesson for a manager, whether an aspiring one or a practising one!
Not in a mood to work today? Think of an ingenious excuse to leave early. Or, just make a dash for it, hoping you remain invisible to The Boss.
For those who have just joined the company, it is useful to interact with some old hands. They could explain the finer points of the company’s leave policy.
When hiring people, it is useful to enquire about their sleep patterns. This ensures that when an employee is taking a power nap, The Boss’ blood pressure remains under control.
Wish to report sick? Better seek advance permission from The Boss!
The Boss’ reputation travels far and wide. Those wanting to gate-crash into his office invariably use it to their advantage.
Bosses can be forgiven for their blind spots. No office can run without those who have become a part of the landscape.
For blue-blooded bureaucrats, documentary evidence reigns supreme.
Employees often crawl into their place of work. Invariably, they run back home. Customers who happen to walk in at Closing Time get treated with as much derision as they deserve.
When selecting people, The Boss knows the importance of body language.
Just joined a company? Befriend someone who can give you the inner dope on all colleagues.
One way to keep The Boss happy is to allow him to refuse your request for a raise.
Yet another way to make The Boss laugh is to ask him for a raise!
When a raise does come about, smart managers make sure they pay their obeisance to The Boss at regular intervals.
Reporting late for work? Think of a brand new excuse so as to escape The Boss’ wrath.
The Bosses always believe that physical activity of an employee is directly proportional to his/her real output at work.
Mario Miranda’s cartoons not only entertain but also educate. To a stressed out manager, these are a ready means of chasing away those blues, much like a work of P G Wodehouse. To Plum fans, Miss Fonseca might sound like Madeline Bassett. Mr Godbole, the average Joe, may appear to be configured along the lines of Bertie Wooster, without the brainy support of Jeeves. The Boss might sound as if he is built along the lines of Sir Watkyn Bassett.
To aspiring managers, Mario Miranda’s cartoons offer unique insights into how companies function. They have a chance to learn how to navigate their way through the maze of management policies and practices, many of which are never covered in voluminous manuals and in Standard Operating Procedures of large conglomerates.
(Source: Mario’s Best Cartoons, Book I, ISBN 978-81-901830-6-2, gifted to yours truly by a thoughtful friend based at Goa in India)
(Related Posts:
https://ashokbhatia.wordpress.com/2015/11/01/of-secretaries-and-the-inimitable-miss-fonseca
https://ashokbhatia.wordpress.com/2013/10/15/the-inimitable-r-k-laxman)
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