The Price of Perception: Luxury vs Value

 Sunday Story: Camp Jodhpur

The Price of Perception: Luxury vs. Value

In 2007, I found myself in a corporate bidding frenzy for DDA commercial plots. During a breakfast meeting filled with strategy and caffeine, one of my colleagues asked to borrow my pen. Eager to help, I handed over my trusty Cross pen, expecting a grateful nod. Instead, he raised an eyebrow and returned it, saying he only needed a hotel room pen. I laughed it off and fetched one from the reception, wondering if my pen was more of a trophy than a tool.

He smiled and quipped, “I don’t possess anything for which you become possessive.” Those simple words hit home like a well-aimed dart—a reminder that true value often lies beyond the price tag.

Fast forward to last week in Mumbai for a business conference where I encountered a gentleman clutching a leather bag like it was his long-lost loved one. The bag had minimal utility, but its show value was through the roof. It was as if he believed that holding it would automatically elevate his status—like wearing a crown without a kingdom.

Then there was my friend who a few years ago glowed with happiness over a Burberry bag gifted to him. His excitement was palpable, but I felt a pang of awkwardness, considering my heartfelt gifts of books.

Living in Punjab, I have witnessed a peculiar phenomenon: many Punjabis live a royal lifestyle, often regardless of their means. It seems many are willing to sell land and assets to acquire non-essential items that scream status—like luxury cars , fancy clothes and designer watches.

In contrast, communities like the Marwaris and Gujaratis prioritize value over flash.

I firmly believe that personality isn’t defined by a lavish lifestyle. It’s shaped by intelligence, communication, commitment, self-confidence, and respect for others. Think of Narayan Murthy, Ratan Tata, and Azim Premji—these titans would still be revered as great businessmen, even if they donned simple clothes and drove locally made cars. In the end, it’s not about what you own, but how you live that truly defines you.

hashtag#LuxuryVsValue hashtag#Perception hashtag#Leadership hashtag#PersonalDevelopment hashtag#ValueOverLuxury hashtag#MindsetMatters hashtag#BusinessInsights hashtag#Wealth hashtag#CommunityValues

Toxic Work Culture:

 Toxic Work Culture:

A Silent Crisis That Affects Us All
(Story : Jodhpur Camp)

A recent blog by the renowned management Guru Shiv Shivakumar sparked deep reflection on a growing menace in today’s workplaces—toxic work culture.

The tragic death of Anna due to extreme work pressure, and her employer's shocking absence at her funeral, led to national outrage. Some might think this is just a statistic in a country of 1.4 billion. But every life matters. Anna’s life mattered.

Toxicity at work isn’t just about severe cases like Anna’s. It often creeps in through everyday behaviors, often linked to managers and leaders. In most cases, it is not the organization, but the approach of the “Boss” which is responsible for toxicity. Here’s how it shows up:

• The “Hero” Boss: Some managers aim to appear indispensable by setting impossible targets, then shifting the burden onto their juniors. Often such decisions are dangerous because they ignore law, business risks and company’s reputation.

• Insecurity Blocking Growth: Insecure leaders often block their team’s career development. One friend was denied the chance to give a lecture at a top business school because his boss couldn’t stand the idea of him outshining his own communication skills.

• Arrogant "Guardians": Some bosses adopt a self-proclaimed role as the “guardian” of the company, creating hostility with both their peers and juniors.

• Blurring Work-Life Boundaries: COVID blurred lines between personal and professional lives. Some bosses expected employees to conduct Zoom calls from tranquil, private spaces while they themselves shouted orders and used abusive language—right in front of family members.

• Might Is Always Right: Some bosses believe their word is the law, dismissing any better ideas from juniors. A worker managed to reduce cost by 10%, only to be publicly scolded by his boss for “overstepping.”

• Flattery Over Substance: In many family-run businesses, bosses still value flattery over skill. But today’s workforce is smarter—they value data and results inviting ire of the boss.

• Skipping the Chain of Command: One friend shared how his boss bypassed him to deal directly with third-level staff on key decisions as he didn’t agree on a terrible deal done by his boss. He was ostracized and humiliated when he pointed out the flaws to his boss.

• No Checks on Behavior: In the absence of regular audits, the toxic managers thrive, turning once-promising workplaces into toxic environments where anxiety, fear, and resentment grow.

Toxic work culture doesn’t just hurt individuals; it cripples entire organizations.

Let’s be part of a movement that prioritizes people over power. And all leadership must listen to this beautiful song of the movie “Three Idiot”….”Jane nahi denge tujhe”
hashtag#ToxicWorkCulture hashtag#LeadershipMatters hashtag#WorkLifeBalance hashtag#MentalHealthAwareness hashtag#EmpathyInLeadership hashtag#CareerGrowth hashtag#CorporateCulture hashtag#RespectAtWork hashtag#TeamSuccess

First lesson of negotiations

 good morning. 

Sharing a story :

Yesterday, I asked Bhagwan (Kshitij:  my son. I call him Bhagwan as he is as pure as God) to sell my old I phone 7 plus. 

He first went to CROMA where he was offered maximum Rs 7000.00. 

He refused. He then went to mobile market in Sec 22. Got offers from a few buyers ranging from Rs 11K to Rs 14 K.  Bhagwan refused to budge.  He gave counter offer of Rs 16K. The last buyer said Rs 14K was the maximum offer and if he leaves the place, then he won’t buy. Bhagwan thought for a minute. Talked to me over phone. I said ok, no issue. Leave the place.  Bhagwan started leaving the place. The buyer called him back and offered Rs 15K.  

Bhagwan then spoke to me and convinced me to agree as the value will further diminish due to old software. 

Deal was done. He came back happily with Rs 15K. Yes, he did all documentation work to ensure safe deal. 

😍😍😊😍✔️✔️

Honesty

 “Hello, Good morning. Hotel Ross Common, Kasauli, may I

help you”, the receptionist responded to a telephonic call. 

“Hi Good morning. This is Col Raj.  I stayed with you a week back. While checking out, I had breakfast in your hotel, but unfortunately, in a hurry to catch the flight, I simply forgot to pay. I am really sorry. Kindly do let me know your bank details or paytm no, I will transfer the payment immediately. I will be adding Rs 100 extra for your staff who served me. I really don’t know his name.  Do convey my apology to your staff too.” Said Col Raj. 

“Thanks sir. No worries. Sometimes this happens unintentionally.” said the receptionist. 

Moral: No need to monitor. Honesty should be inbuilt in your personality.

PS : This is a part of real life incidents.

Faith

The young Hemant karmakar joined a medium sized company with a turnover of Rs 100 crore as Manager Purchase. 

After a month of service his MD called him in his chamber and asked him to place an order of Rs 50 lacs for purchase of electronics parts. 

Hemant sent inquiries and after 2 hours finalised the Order and placed it before his MD for Signature as the company was family a  run business  

His MD blasted on him and advised him to sign the papers himself instead of expecting from this from the MD  

Hemant was puzzled and  scared as how to handle this peculiar situation!

He went to his Finance Manager and narrated the whole story. 

FM smiled and told him that he should be happy today. The MD has expressed his faith in him. 

So don’t be afraid, do your job diligently. 

PS: Based in real life incidents

My big brother

2011

When I glued for writing this, I didn’t know where to start with and what to write. As there is so much to narrate. I close my eyes and thought of God and only my brother came in my mind. I wonder, how in this selfish world a person can be so dutiful and so responsible yet so affectionate and lovable. Who else, but bhai sab. My brother Mr. Prakash Kumbhat is the eldest member out of 9 siblings of my parents. In olden days, people used to have meagre resources, but large and happy family. People used to say every child come with his own destiny. Our family is outcome of perhaps that adage. So bhai sab while studying in class VIII took the responsibility of running a PDS shop alongwith my sister who was then class VI student. Just imagine kids of these classes running a government approved ration shop! This continued till matriculation and then he shifted to Jodhpur to pursue higher studies. He clinched a job with Electricity department just after matriculation and continued his studies. He opted for BA in English literature. Despite having a village school background, he developed terrific writing skills in English. I admit, I cannot choose the words and letters which he used to write when he was BA student. And it is rightly said, there is no dearth of opportunity for hardworking and talented people. Immediately after high school, he got offer from Syndicate Bank which he joined and associated with it for almost 40 years and now retired at the age of 60. At the age of 21 he first took the responsibility of marriage of my eldest sister and that include helping parents not only finding suitable match but also to shoulder the marriage expenses.  There is old adage “the relatives also help if you are powerful or resourceful.”Here all the help came from his best friend Devki Nandan Bohra who continues to be his best friend even today. 

 And this continued till marriage of all bros and sisters. Of course, the credit goes to my Bhabhi also because she supported bhai sab in his endeavour to fulfil his duty. His ambition to acquire more knowledge never ended. As a result, he bagged the degrees of M.Com, MBA, CAIIB, LLB and so on. Though now he is 61 and retired from Bank, he continues to pursue his passion. Baosa (My father) was hale and hearty till 85 and then one fine day he fell down in his house at Ahmedabad. From that date, father became bed ridden and all other ailment started. Bhai sab and bhabhi both took the complete responsibility of his care. They would feed him, give medicines, clean his bed, give him showers, take him to toilet. I wonder how many of us would do this? Now my mother 79, is suffering from nerve depression, cannot walk, stand up or even feed herself as her fingers do not always obey command of her mind. Who else….but bhai sab and bhabhiji are taking care of her. It is more difficult to handle an old ailing lady then a man, because man still can control himself, have passion and understand the problems of the caretaker. Anybody from family who is not getting medical help from Jodhpur will directly go to Ahmedabad. I would say Ahmedabad is blessed with some of the best doctors in the field of internal medicines, orthopaedics, neurology etc. Patients who lost hope in Jodhpur found solace in Ahmedabad. It is sheer determination and support of bhai sab, that all his brothers and sisters pursued their education and today we proudly say no body in the family is less than post graduate and all male members are professionally qualified too. This was enough lesson for the second generation. They (sons and dauthers of brothers and sisters) have become more and more active and they made family honoured by excelling in their academic and professional career. But despite sharing so much responsibility, he is always in a happy mood. Always ready to go for a walk, shopping, yoga, kirtan, visiting temple, going to friends or relatives house and so on. He says unless you spend, money never come. So don’t be miser, spend for a good cause. God will shower you with his blessings. Bhai sab family consist of two sons, bhabhi and dauther in law. Pinku is a Chartered Accountant and dauther in law Priya is a banker. The yonger one Chinku is Engineering student. But his life does not revolve round only these people. He takes care of all other family members. No day goes without talking to him by practically by every member as he is a great problem solver also. So my brother is not only a brother, but a true mentor, more than a father, more than God. Oh …lord….bless him.

23.6.21

Today is his birthday. Things have changed. His elder son is posted at Sweden who takes care of strategic business development of a multinational company.  

His younger son Kshitij is posted in Japan with IBM as software engineer. He will be shifting to Canada shortly. 

I wish him a very happy birthday. 

💐💐💐