Home Cooked

Our cook always struggles to keep sync with the clock. On more days then not she turns-up well 30-60 minutes later then her appointed time, much to the annoyance of my better-half. Vandana has always been very empathetic to our cook but her repeated errors made it impossible for Vandana to keep quiet. Few days back Vandana issued her a mild warning and put her on a week’s probation. Last Sunday we were expecting a couple over lunch and Vandana has sensitized our cook well in time so that she is punctual on Sunday. Till Saturday our cook showed much improved date with the clock, much to the relief of Vandana for she expected the trend to follow on Sunday as well. But her worst fears seemed to be coming true when our cook did not turn-up even when the clock struck 12 noon. Vandana was furious and nervous. She kept marching inside our living room murmuring to herself that she should not have trusted our cook. I tried to assure her that in worst case scenario we shall order something from the nearby restaurant. This however annoyed her even more and for some strange reason, she held me responsible for all this mess. I, however, could not understand how I could have prompted our cook’s inordinate delay. May be I had become something like Ra-One who has some strange powers. Our guests were to arrive anytime and I could well understand Vandana’s frustration as the host & lady of the house to find herself short of extending a warm welcome to them.

Finally, she decided to take-charge of the situation and took-over the kitchen affairs. Vandana had made-up her time to show our cook the door, whenever she arrives. Hardly had Vandana stepped inside the kitchen that our cook arrived and rushed to the war-front. Vandana did not react and, kept a dignified silence. The cook started to chop the vegetables and other cooking chores. However she also read Vandana’s silence and knew that she was not the least pleased. The cook while doing her job explained the reason for the delay (which may or may not be convincing at that time) but in the course of the conversation Vandana could understand that our cook had not eaten anything since morning and had even refused snack in the other house she worked just to ensure that she is no more delayed for coming to our place. And the next moment while our cook was cooking for our guests, Vandana was preparing breakfast for our cook. Vandana’s anger has disappeared and she ensured that our cook first had something to eat before she did her cooking. Our cook on her part cooked with speed and made sure that tasty hot food was served to our guests in time.

This could pass-off as a mere incident but looking at this a bit deeper, there is an engagement lesson for the managers. Vandana’s decision to control her outburst even in the situation that threatened a crisis of sorts helped her to avoid an embarrassment & self-guilt (imagine had Vandana discovered about the state of hunger of cook later and had given her marching orders before that). Not only this but kind of engagement that Vandana could create in the cook for her job, would last longer than Sunday. The next day Vandana did not forget to appreciate the cook for the delicious food.

Flexibility in managing day to day affairs, deep empathy, controlled reaction to provocative situations and timely appreciation could go a long way in creating strong engagement.