Outshine Your Boss ?

Welcome, friends, to VAP Talks! I’m VAP, your desi bhai who’s been through the corporate world, just like you, freshers and folks with 2-3 years of experience. Today, I’m sharing a story full of emotions, from sadness and frustration to hope and happiness. You might be thinking, “Arre, VAP, if I know cool stuff, shouldn’t I show it to my boss? Won’t they think, ‘Yeh toh bahut acha banda hai’?” I thought the same, yaar! But let me tell you why outshining your boss can land you in big trouble. Grab a chai, feel the ups and downs, and let’s dive into my corporate lesson!

In 2022, I joined a big IT company in Pune, fresh from college, my heart racing with excitement. I was thrilled, thinking, “Ab toh college ka knowledge dikhayunga, projects mein dhoom macha dunga!” I joined my team, super eager to show my skills and make everyone go “wow.” My first meeting with my boss, let’s call them RM, had me buzzing. I was ready to shine, heart full of hope, imagining RM saying, “Waah, kitna talented hai yeh!” RM was a boss with 9 years of experience, working under a higher boss, HM. Another boss, SK, was on the same level as RM, also under HM, but always there to support me.

I started working, learned about the project, and jumped in. But RM? They were strict, always finding mistakes, even when I did good work. Now I know someone pointing out mistakes is good it helps you learn and grow. But back then, I didn’t get that. I felt confused and sad, thinking, “Yar, maine toh itna mehnat kiya.” I was good at tech, so when RM suggested something in meetings, I’d jump in, saying, “Arre, yeh approach toh galat hai! Hum yeh better tareeka use kar sakte hain!” If RM asked for a script, I’d try a fancy new tech approach, thinking, “Ab toh boss impress honge!” Back then, I didn’t know we often stick to older approaches because they’re reliable, not because new tech is bad. My heart sank when I saw RM’s face; they looked annoyed. I was making them feel small, like I was trying to be smarter. With their 9 years of experience, RM had power, and I was just a fresher!

Soon, frustration hit hard. RM started pointing out my tiny mistakes in front of everyone, even HM. If I were late to a call or missed a small thing, RM would say, “Yeh serious nahi hai!” But if others made bigger mistakes, RM let it slide. I felt hopeless, stomach tight, thinking, “Yar, maine kya kiya? Bas apna best dikhana chahta tha!” It was like a punch to my heart. I felt so low, wondering if I’d ever survive this corporate world. My excitement turned to sadness, and I was scared I’d never fit in.

One day, after RM scolded me in a meeting, I was almost in tears, feeling like giving up. My heart was heavy, and I felt stuck. But then, hope came through SK. They saw me sitting quietly, head down, and came over with a warm smile. SK said, “Chill, bhai, tension mat le. Sab thik ho jayega.” Those words calmed my racing heart, like a cool breeze on a hot day. SK, despite being a boss on the same level as RM and under HM, was different; they never acted superior. One time, SK said, “VAP, yeh tech mujhe nahi pata, tu batayega kya?” I was shocked but so happy that my heart felt lighter. SK taught me new tech, how to write emails, do follow-ups, and talk better. They always backed me up, even when RM was tough, helping me stay calm and grow my soft skills. SK’s support made me feel hopeful again, like I could keep going.

That’s when I learned the big lesson: don’t outshine your boss! If they make a mistake, don’t point it out in front of others it embarrasses them. If you must suggest something, talk later, alone, and be careful. RM didn’t like being challenged, and I learned that the hard way, feeling frustrated and scared. But SK showed me how to share ideas smartly, without stepping on toes. It depends on the person, yaar. RM’s harshness made me sad, but SK’s kindness gave me confidence. I started being smarter showing my skills to help the team, not to overshadow RM, and sticking to tried-and-true approaches instead of fancy new tech. Slowly, things got better, and I felt calm, even happy, knowing I was learning to survive. And guess what? Over time, RM became a good friend of mine! True, yaar I’ll share how that happened in another blog.

You might be thinking, “VAP, toh kya skills chhupayein? Kaise grow karenge?” Or maybe, “Kya sab boss aise hote hain?” Nahin, yaar, not all bosses are like RM was at first! SK, also a boss under HM, showed me that some people love your talent and help you shine. SK’s support made my heart full I was excited to learn and grow again. But you gotta understand your boss’s vibe first, are they strict like RM or open like SK? Then act accordingly. This saved me from more trouble and got me buzzing to keep improving.

So, this is what I learned: Outshine your boss? Big no! Show your skills, but be smart, don’t make them feel small. Understand their vibe, and you’ll survive corporate life better. As freshers, don’t try to be the hero, work as a team, learn from mistakes, and grow. Are you nodding, thinking of your own boss stories? Drop a comment on how you handle your boss. Next time, I’ll share how I turned RM into a friend. Till then, work hard, but play smart. Take care, doston! 😊