An experiment in self fulfilling prophecy..

Once I had a clerk who nobody wanted. He was a despatch guy promoted to be a clerk. He had a ponytail, looked and behaved like a teenager more at home riding a bike in the streets of KL. There were rumours he cheated on his overtime card and the boss wanted to get rid of him. He referred to himself as “gua” and to other people “lu”. Heck, he was not Chinese. That was just how young people talked in those days.

There was a reorganization, I was shorthanded and naturally, people gave him to me. I was not that worried, the bulk of my work could not be delegated anyway. But wouldn’t it be nice to have a reliable staff? I thought. I could not complain because my executive was a delight. A fresh graduate who could act and think as well as a person who has been working for 7 years. She majored in economics from the Uni of London. She later was promoted every year after I left for Kerteh and now she holds a higher position than I do ( heck, that’s not necessary, everyone has higher position than I do!)

I sat down one day with him and got to know him. He was actually an interesting specimen to me. For the life of me, I had never encountered anyone like him. He came from a modest family, living with his parents in a KL flat. He had a quick way of talking and exuded an active personality. He would look at me , eyes wide, pleasant features and always grinning. Despite the rumours, I somehow thought he was an earnest and straight talking guy. After getting him to introduce himself, I began cautiously.

“ J, I m so glad to have you . I feel so excited with our new department. It’s like starting over. New boss new staff. I know Ms N didn’t like you , but hey, I don’t think she likes anyone! But still, with me you have a fresh new start.”I began, “Our dept is really important. All the products that the company produce, they ask us what is the best price for them to sell. Isn’t that incredible?”
“Yes, you are right, that ‘s an important job.”
“Yeah, that s why we should be proud to be in this department. In fact people who want to join, they have to take IQ test nowadays!”
We looked around us and true enough, that was a very select group of people that surrounded us.
“Did anyone ever give you a hard time, J?”
“Nahh…they are all nice people. Not snobbish at all.”he replied.
“Yeahh…I think so too. We are in the same division, we are a part of them. We are traders, analysts, specialists and whatnots. And you are not a clerk, remember that. You are my assistant price analyst.”
He looked visibly pleased. I was warming up to this artful manipulation.
“You know the reports you generate from the international price syndicates? Do you know who get it first?”
He was thinking hard. “You do!” he said triumphantly.

I shook my head.”Nahh..it’s you” .
In those days we had to have worldwide prices wired to us daily and somebody has to fetch the printouts, compile them for further review, analysis and final report to the president. He was really the first to read the prices.

He looked as if he had received some great revelation. I was quite enjoying myself. Ahhhh… so great…will this work?? Will it?

I talked a little bit more about how most of us were experts in our fields and it was almost as if he had been in a college. He could learn from everyone and, why, I was even a college lecturer ( for 3 months) before joining this company!

“There’s one thing I want you to do though, J.” I said finally, trying hard not to stretch his attention span.” I would be so pleased if you could have a good haircut and wear your tie. Is that ok with you?”

Next day he came looking like a million dollars. Gone was his pony tail and he wore a tie. He gradually lost his lu gua nomenclature and even during his off days he would come to the office and make sure that the price analysis be delivered onto my desk by 8 am. He went on to be the most sought after executive assistance until today…..Yeah…It works. Self fulfilling prophecy works. Many times.:) and I love it!!!!!!!!!