Kunal's Turning Point

Kunal's Turning Point

Kunal, a 32-year-old mechanical engineer, had always been known for his precision and dedication. Working as a senior engineer at Amit Engineering Works, a renowned pharma machinery manufacturing company in Mumbai, he prided himself on solving complex problems and meeting tight deadlines. However, what he didn’t realize was that his growing sense of self-importance was creating invisible walls between him and his colleagues.

Kunal’s manager, Mr. Joshi, often tried to nudge him toward teamwork. “Kunal, you’re brilliant at your work, but remember, no machine can function without all its components working together,” Mr. Joshi would say. Kunal would nod politely, but deep down, he believed he could handle things better on his own.

The Problem Unfolds

One day, Amit Engineering Works was tasked with delivering a high-capacity tablet press machine to a major pharmaceutical client. The project was complex and required seamless coordination between the design, production, and quality teams. Kunal was assigned as the project lead.

True to his nature, Kunal immersed himself in the project but often sidelined his teammates' inputs. "If I don’t take charge, this will never get done," he thought. He made decisions unilaterally, dismissing suggestions from the design team and overruling concerns from the quality department.

A week before the delivery deadline, disaster struck. A critical design flaw, overlooked due to Kunal’s dismissal of a junior designer’s feedback, caused the machine to malfunction during testing. The client was furious, and the company’s reputation was at stake.

A Lesson in Humility

The next day, Mr. Joshi called for an emergency meeting. He addressed the team calmly but firmly. “Mistakes happen, but what concerns me is the lack of collaboration. Kunal, this project was never meant to be a one-man show.”

Kunal felt a wave of guilt. For the first time, he realized how his ego had alienated his team and jeopardized the project. After the meeting, Kunal approached the junior designer, Aditi, whose suggestions he had dismissed. “Aditi, I owe you an apology. Your input was valuable, and I should have listened.”

Aditi was surprised but gracious. “It’s okay, Kunal. Let’s focus on fixing the issue now.”

The Turnaround

Kunal gathered the entire team and said, “We’re in this together. Let’s put our heads together and solve this problem.” This time, he encouraged open discussions, sought feedback, and delegated tasks effectively. The team worked tirelessly, and with everyone’s efforts, they managed to correct the flaw just in time.

The client was impressed with the revised machine, and the delivery went off without a hitch. More importantly, Kunal learned the value of teamwork and humility.

A Changed Leader

From that day on, Kunal transformed his approach. He became a leader who listened, collaborated, and valued every team member’s contribution. Months later, when Amit Engineering Works secured its biggest project yet, Mr. Joshi chose Kunal to lead it, not because of his technical expertise alone, but because he had learned to put the team above himself.

Kunal’s journey from an ego-driven individual to a respected leader became a story that inspired everyone at Amit Engineering Works. He often shared his experience with new employees, reminding them that success is never a solo achievement.

"The strength of a team lies in its collaboration," Kunal would say, "and the strength of a leader lies in valuing it."

 Dr. Mohite Mentoring

www.drmohitementoring.com