A new work culture is emerging, blowing away the traditional frameworks and rigid hierarchies of the corporate world. The ‘Jen See’ or new generation is redefining professionalism and respect regardless of status. An experience shared by Noida-based CEO Nitin Verma in a casual LinkedIn post has sparked a huge debate in the corporate world today. The content of the post is about how a simple question from an employee can correct his years of thinking.
Recently, Nitin Verma faced a completely unexpected question from a young intern at his company.
‘Hey Nitin, are you coming for a drink with us’?
Calling the CEO by name, this completely informal question shocked the other senior executives present more than you. “The others who were with him looked at him as if he had committed some big crime,” Nitin wrote in his LinkedIn post. Although he declined the invitation that evening for personal reasons, the incident sparked a great deal of thought in his mind.
Nitin Verma. Image Credit: Nitin Verma/ LinkedIn
After this incident, Nitin began to think about how different generations view workplace relationships. The young employee who invited him saw in front of him not the CEO of a company, but a colleague. He saw in him an ordinary man whom he could invite for a drink as naturally as a friend. For the company’s senior staff, the CEO was a ‘landmark’ to be looked at with awe and respect, not to be crossed.
The changing equations of respect
For many who grew up in a traditional work culture, ‘respect’ means keeping a distance. Traditional signs of respect included standing up when elders entered the room, choosing words carefully when speaking to those of higher status, and maintaining a boundary. There priority was given to the structure of status. But the new generation is completely demolishing this concept. They value personality more than status. If you are genuine and approachable, they will respect you and treat you as one of their own.
Informality or Respect?
In the first phase, Nitin Verma also assessed such behaviors as lack of professionalism. But with time he became convinced of things. He realized that this easy behavior from the mind was far above fear-infused respect.
‘Before I thought it was a lack of professionalism. But now I feel that this is the most honest honor. Because it doesn’t come out of fear, but out of genuine connection and ease’, explains Nitin.
Rigid hierarchies in companies often create unnecessary distance between employees and management. Gen Zee’s enthusiasm to bridge that gap is giving a new direction to the corporate world.
Nitin ends his post, which has gone viral online, with a cute thought, ‘It’s true that I said no to drinks with them that day, but the next time someone asks, I might say ‘yes’.’ These changes point to the beginning of a new era of work that erases the boundaries of privilege and emphasizes healthy relationships between people.
Disclaimer: The picture accompanying the news is not of Malayalam Manorama. Image taken from Nitin Verma’s LinkedIn account.
