"My book can act as a reference book for every employee in every company,” says Utkarsh Rai author of 101 Myths & Realities @ The Office, who launched his book in the city recently.
This is a unique concept to enable workforce to reduce their nail-biting hours and frustrations at work. In his book the author has addressed issues like promotion, appraisal, salary and career in any workplace, in an easy format, which can be understood and applied.
“Take for example the myths on promotions: why a person is chosen over another person, when a company prefers to hire people from outside rather than promote within, are some of the common questions which are answered in my book,” he says, adding, “I have covered all aspects of work life in this book. It might be true that 101 myths will not be applicable to any employee at any given point of time. But in a span of few years, employee will face majority of such myths.”
Explaining his idea behind writing the book, the author said, “During my career where I worked in various countries, companies and cultures, I found the basic issue people face are more or less the same and the employee’s reaction to such issues are more or less similar. When in trouble, some blame the office politics, while other blames the managers. Some blame their colleagues while other blames their subordinates.
On reflecting on majority of such issues, I found that neither the employee nor the manager has understood each other well. Manager needs to think as an employee and employee has to know what management thinks. Every time there is an issue either the employee needs to be explained the reasons behind the issue or a manager need to be equipped to deal with such issues in a better way. Over the time, it becomes quite repetitive for people in management profession. This triggered me to write this book.”
The author has put his ideas in simple language so that common people can incorporate these suggestions in their day to day life.
“Most of the existing books talk theoretical principles running into pages, where the majority of the readers, either lose the focus or fail to apply the leanings in their workplace. This book is in simple language, easy to read and jargon free,” he says.
The biggest challenge the author faced while writing this book was to choose the correct format which will catch the attention of readers and take them directly to the core of the issue.
“Each myth is a chapter and I put ‘myth’ and ‘reality’ in the beginning of the chapter itself so that the reader can choose to flip the pages and come directly to the myth which is bothering him/her now.
Half of battle is won, if an employee can understand why he or she has landed up in such situation. Once this is understood he or she can pick-up the clue from ‘what to do’ section explained after every myth and act accordingly.
There is also a ‘what to do’ section for managers.”
Not to make this book boring the author has made sure that each myth is around 2-3 pages long and can be read while waiting for the bus, or in short breaks.
When asked if the book serves the interest of the company or is it detrimental to the interest of the company, he said “Companies aspire to attract talent by providing an environment where employee can realise their dream. Companies spend time and money towards it. Here is a book, which will help in addressing majority of people issues and therefore enable the team to focus more on work and get less distracted by people issues. This is a win-win for both employers and employees.”
Author of Offshoring Secrets and Life in a Cubicle (ebook), the author apart from writing, enjoys globe trotting and has travelled extensively with his family.