The mai-baap manager
The Indian manager has a unique role to play, that of mai-baap (mother-father, that is, parents). Many team members also expect the manager to play almost a parental role. I, personally, have had people walk into my office and open up with their family and personal issues, as personal as spouse abuse and divorce. Some of the expectations were to simply open up and lighten their hearts, perhaps to explain the stress they were going through, which may have had a dent on productivity, or perhaps to get advice from someone who has seen more of the world. This will certainly not happen in the western world.
A manager, in the Indian context, may have to bear the expectations of a guide and a philosopher.
Sometimes, managers can also ...
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