Page 70 - A Banker Down the Rabbit Hole

his decision. The Zonal Head heard both of them and decided to go ahead
with the suggested new practice. I got the intimation from Zonal Office
for passing my TA Bill for Rs. 2170/- to my pleasant surprise. I had all my
appreciation for the officer with a fresh approach to HR issues.
Incidentally, he too was a P.O of my batch. He too got posted at Hong
Kong with me later. He got settled in Hong Kong and is currently running
an import/export business of his own successfully.

Another time, I submitted my hospitalization medical expenses
reimbursement claim to Zonal Office from the same branch. I claimed
Rs.12,436/- and attached all the necessary documents and bills in
complete. I got an approval for exact Rs. 12,436/- to a great surprise of
my colleagues at the branch. This time they jovially asked me, "Is the bill
passing Personnel Officer is your friend or a relative?" I denied that but
they were not prepared to believe. They told me "How is it possible that
you only got an amount approved more than what you claimed last time
and now exactly what you claimed upto rupees and paisa? In our case,
they always deduct some amount as per our past experience".

I explained to them, "The first time I claimed less by mistake that they
rectified. Second time I claimed exactly as per rules and provided all bills
and documents. So they passed full amount without any deduction. The
officer at Zonal Office and we people at this branch refer to the same
rules framed and provided by Head Office. If we claim as per those rules,
they will not deduct anything from our bills."
They appeared convinced after this reasoning.

Insights from the episode
1. Out of the box thinking even if right, is hard to accept due to prior
beliefs and practices. But logical presentation makes it acceptable.
2. One should always think beyond "the status quo". It may reveal
different and better dimension of the same issue. One needs to have
open mind for capturing new dimensions of the same issue.

— z —

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