Small Story 307.

Small Story 307 A Visionary Leader: Ramnath's Approach to Merit-Based Recruitment Sowmya had seen many top executives come and go in her decade-long career, but none had impressed her like Ramnath. As a Programme Manager at a leading pharmaceutical company based in Chennai, she deeply admired her 57-year-old Marketing Head. His vision, strategic thinking, and ability to inspire the dedicated field force made him stand out. The company’s headquarters were in Australia, and it was well-known for its range of health products. Sowmya’s personal life was also fulfilling. Her husband, Sanjay, worked as a Training Manager in a bank, while their son, Vibhav, was in the 8th standard and already making a mark as a badminton player, having won many awards. That morning, as Sowmya arrived at her cabin, she noticed Govind waiting outside. “Madam, Marketing Manager Ramnath wants to meet you,” he said. Without delay, she made her way to his cabin. Ramnath greeted her warmly. “You remember, about two years ago, you recommended a candidate named Vishnu—your friend’s brother—for a position in Bengaluru?” Sowmya nodded, slightly surprised he remembered. “I’m considering expanding in Karnataka,” he continued. “Vishnu seems like a strong fit for the role of Territory Manager. He has the right background and experience from a reputed company. Before sending him our offer and terms, I wanted to inform you personally.” Sowmya was thrilled. Ramnath’s ability to remember and value her recommendation from two years ago meant a lot. As she turned to leave, Ramnath added with a quiet smile, “Our philosophy is to recruit purely on merit. Your recommendation matched our standards—and that’s why the decision is mine.” Sowmya walked back to her cabin, heartened. Ramnath was not just a great leader—he was a believer in quality, vision, and values that built strong teams. K.Ragavan 15-7-25