About a decade ago, I moved back to Trivandrum, where I once served in the police force. And off and on, I run into policemen who had served under me.
Almost all the time, I find that the policemen remember their interactions with me very fondly, even when I don’t have any memory of those events.
Something totally insignificant to me would have stayed in their minds for years.
It made me realize that we treat our bosses and seniors very well. But when it comes to our subordinates, our acts of generosity are much rarer.
Yet, years later, your subordinates are much more likely to remember a small act of kindness — your bosses would probably take it for granted (I am very much guilty of that).
The payback for being unreasonably kind is neither immediate nor certain. But there is no payback that is sweeter.
– Rajan