Being a boss isn't for everyone but is there any escape?

A widely accepted yardstick of success in India Inc and around the world is boss-hood and the number of work 'colleagues' one can count as subordinates.

- DEVINA SENGUPTA

A widely accepted yardstick of success in India Inc and around the world is boss-hood and the number of work 'colleagues' one can count as subordinates. It is fair to assume that one starts off as part of the general crowd in the initial years of a career, but after that phase is over, going up the order means being asked to lead a team. It is a sign of progress. The faster a team is latched under you, the more meritorious you are. But I can lay a wager that most bosses hate being bosses. Peel off the status tags and ask them if they enjoy the administrative and often thankless work that they are made to do in the name of 'management,' and they will holler a 'nay' if there is no one around to judge them.

If you are not a boss yet, then let me assure you that when you trudge past the corner offices dreaming of a manager's post, there are many seniors who envy your present luxury of nonchalance. Of course, this does not mean they will give up their higher pay packets and other perks, but they may want to give up boss-hood. There are more leaders than one cares to admit who accepted their managerial roles because that was the only path to career success available to them.