The Pathway

“Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life, influencing another.” ― John C. Maxwel

 Ranbir runs his Tailoring shop at Pradhikaran in Nigdi. I met him  for the first time more than a decade ago, when we were new to Pune. I wanted to alter a dress, and was looking out for a tailor who could do it. 'Prakash Tailors' is a well known tailoring shop in  Pradhikaran. Ranbir was also an employee of Prakash Tailors. The shop is a small one in the hub of Nigdi where one had to wait for a turn during the busy hours. There were three tailors called 'Masters' and many young boys working under these 'Masters'. The 'Master' is the  master brain behind the design, the cutting and stitching of the dress, a few youngsters are given the opportunity to seam the stitches, add buttons and beautify the dress according to the requirement of the customer. Prakash tailors would always delay the customers as they were willing to wait to get their clothes stitched by those proficient 'Masters'. Hating the situation, I began looking out for someone who could help me out without making me linger. 

ABC plaza is a large commercial block with many shops. It had a mini super bazaar named Subiksha in those days. I happened to see Ranbir there for the first time. He was busily running about, from his then shop into a new one on the opposite side in the same complex, instructing the workers and carpenters regarding the necessities in the shop.  The shops in ABC plaza are tiny with their ceilings beyond fifteen feet in height. Shopkeepers construct a landing with stairs, making a small room like structure on the loft.  

Ranbir had a few sewing machines put away upstairs in the loft where his employees sat undisturbed. Down in the main shop he had a few small fans fitted all round, a nice length of an open cupboard was built, where he could hang the newly stitched clothes, a table and a few more necessities were  being designed before he began his  shop. Ranbir was a young lad in his twenties, enthusiastic and persistent.  He  had  barely three employees then, but today in his new shop we can see an array of people sitting and working away in a pleasant airy atmosphere, accompanied by radio or the television.  What impressed me then was the friendliness he carried within him. He gladly asked me what I wanted and gave me the altered dress back within a few hours. Ranbir soon became my regular tailor. I stopped going to Prakash Tailors. Ranbir was meticulous and the dresses were always stitched within a week delivered in spic way. These days the service is better, he sometimes stitches clothes in a day or two too.

Ranbir is decent and would never bargain regarding the price. He definitely adds that he needs to increase the cost of stitching as he has to pay his employees. I saw him brooding as he remarked this, and then told me they find it difficult buying the basic necessities of life. I stopped bargaining from that day as I understood that the shop had its good days like those of Diwali and bad days like the rainy season when the customers were low, but he had to pay a bonus like everyone else and pay the employees every month. He has the elderly employees whom he calls Kaka, or cha-cha lovingly. The youngsters are also happy for Ranbir has never considered himself a boss. Once when I visited the shop, I found Ranbir and his employees enjoying the match. Perhaps it was the world cup special, he said that they were unofficially off that day. I could hear them shriek and enjoy for each ball the Indian team played. We did not mind the delay in the delivery of our stitched clothes as we all had grown fond of Young Ranbir. Once he made a great mistake of stitching the Salwar out of the cloth meant for the Kurti. He quickly apologised and said he would pay me for the mistake. I felt awkward, and told him that it wasn’t needed. People said the salwar was the best one I had. My regard for Ranbir kept increasing each time. I liked the amicable behaviour, his decency in handling customers and the ability to handle the shop as a young leader being a part of his team. Even when people would come up with grave mistake he would never call up the employee who had made the mistake, but would slowly make them understand why the fault had occurred and how it could be rectified. 

One of the days I saw a customer who wanted an immediate job of attaching a silk ribbon to a Dupatta willing to pay any amount. Dupattas, also known as Chunnis, are a beautiful accessory to Salwar Kameez, an Indian attire.  I looked on as Ranbir told the lady that they could complete the job only the next day as the people who had given their clothes first deserved to be given their clothes first, and the employee couldn’t overwork as his mother was unwell. I marvelled his wisdom in being steady in his relations with his employees and unyielding to money.

Their happy team grew and a few years back young Ranbir got married. That was the time when he took a week’s leave, yet before leaving, he was scampering and completing his share of work. We all missed his gracious presence, but his efficient team managed the shop equally well.

Today Ranbir has an employee specially to alter clothes as women want their clothes to be altered periodically to match the changing trends. He also has a wonderful team of tailors who work in the most proficient manner and an array of customers from all walks of life. He is busy and has never forgotten the secret of retaining the quality with integrity. Above all he has led his team in the proper direction, allowing his employees to grow and flourish through a constant inspiration by being a component of the team, and not being distant. Being successful is one part of life, but thriving on success deserves an innate ability to influence and empower fellow beings.

“A true leader is a person whose influence inspires people to do what is expected of them to do. You cease to be a leader when you manipulate with your egos instead of convincing by your inspirations.” ― Israelmore Ayivo