Cultural expectations surrounding the elderly are being challenged today, and with good reason!
While it was the norm to slow down and retreat into a quieter life post-retirement, more men and women are finding purpose and joy in doing the opposite.
WisdomCircle honours such men and women by shining light on their journey through an inspiring series called “Wisdom Stories”. These people have successfully smashed stereotypes, and their stories remind us that life should be lived to the fullest, no matter what age or stage.
Having graduated as a Civil Engineer in 1972, I initially wanted to pursue a career in engineering and joined a construction company. While I learned real “engineering”, I was unsatisfied with my job and looked around for a change. After about four years, I got the opportunity to join Indian Oil Corporation as a Management Trainee. Although I was already an Assistant Executive Engineer, a rung above the bottom, in a Public Sector Construction company, I took the jump and joined as a Trainee. This was perhaps the turning point in my career.
From a Trainee in 1976 to Executive Director in 2005 of a Fortune 500 Company, most people would see it as a professional achievement. The fact that I was invited by the Public Selection Board of India, on two occasions, to appear for interviews for selection at the Board level of Indian Oil Corporation, makes me believe, in hindsight that my career in Indian Oil was indeed successful.
Even before my retirement in 2011 from Indian Oil, I was offered the position of CEO by the national oil company of Malaysia, Petronas. After the conclusion of my contract with Petronas in 2016, I was approached by Beximco Group, Bangladesh to join them, as Chief Advisor, which I accepted in September 2016. After about two years as an Advisor, I was elevated to the position of CEO of Beximco Petroleum Ltd.
On an analytical reflection on my career, I realized that certain aspects of my outlook and approach might have paid dividends. Having been invited by WisdomCircle to share my insights, I take this opportunity to share a few of them:
- Do not be hurried in completing a task. The art is to be absorbed in the task at hand without fretting over the past or being anxious about the future.
- Take ownership of the tasks you do or the decisions you make.
- The key is not to be pressurized and drawn into the “rat race”. Don’t rush your day.
- The higher one climbs the ladder, the more challenging it becomes to make decisions.
- Indecision comes from fear of making mistakes and is a way of avoiding responsibility. Don’t be afraid to make decisions.
- Interpersonal relationship is a very important factor in career growth. A relationship can only be as good as its communication. To gain the trust of your Superiors, colleagues and subordinates, it must be gut-level and honest communication.
- Make a list of tasks to be completed every day. Prioritize and admit to yourself that you can’t do everything.
In the corporate world, everybody must retire one day. Most of my colleagues and friends who have hung up their boots post-retirement, aged fast, lost the sharpness of their minds, suffered innumerable ailments and were generally unhappy.
It is my message to all – do not retire because this is the period of your life where you will be valued the most and enjoy your freedom in the true sense. With your skills honed over decades and your knowledge at its peak, there is great demand for you. Just let people know you are available. WisdomCircle is a great platform for the same.
– Mrinal Roy
Interview & Photo credits: Saonli Bedi of WisdomCircle
