So, how would you describe your relationship with your team lead?
Brother.
We are close friends.
Should I write this in the feedback form?
Please be serious.
No one takes him seriously.
Not even Gyanesh. Please write this.
Yes. What's the one thing you would like to improve in your team lead?
Why just one thing? I have a list.
Okay, what's on the top of the list?
I don't know. He's sweet.
Sweet is not feedback. It's too informal.
Purely under-confident. Write this.
Okay.
But do you feel heard by your team lead?
Of course. Where will he go?
Can you please be more specific?
Ma'am, actually, I speak less.
Because I am new to the team.
Okay, but does he discuss things with you?
Had Piyush discussed this, we wouldn't have lost that high-valued segment.
Yes. Okay.
And what about you?
He hired a new resource in the team and didn't even discuss it with anyone.
Actually, my baby listens to me more than him.
You have to write this for sure.
Okay.
So, last question.
Would you be willing to work on the next project under your team lead?
-Yes. -Yes.
Maybe.
No.
Mismanaged.
Poor planner.
Under confident.
-Indecisive? -It is correct.
What's right in it, Vikram?
-Actually, I also have feedback. -It's okay.
In my first feedback, 100% of my team didn't want to work with me, it's okay.
They never said any of these things in front of me.
And they are my friends.
And your subordinates.
My girlfriend and I were in the same team.
Then I was made the team lead.
Now, she would not treat me like a team lead in the office.
Seeing her, others also didn't take me seriously.
So, then we decided that I will be the boss in the office
and she will be the boss outside the office.
Did that work for you?
Because our roles got defined.
Now, you need to figure out in your case what will work.
The point being, Piyush, either you run the team or the team runs you.
Do you feel you are unable to inspire your team as a leader?
Or do you feel your team is not respecting you?
Respect cannot be demanded, my friend.
You have to command it.
When inspiration fails, fear triumphs.
The biggest of the leaders have taken this approach since ages.
Maybe this is not your natural style.
To conquer something you have never encountered,
you have to become something you have never been.
Hello.
Guys, I think Supriya gave our feedback.
Shetty, isn't that the purpose of the feedback?
Did she say who said what?
I have no worries. I said nice things.
Doesn't matter. They won't say who said what.
It is confidential.
Oh, shit.
-Then he will think I said bad things. -Chances are there.
No. I'll have to tell him I said good things.
Hi, buddy, how are you?
Okay, guys. The table is booked.
Friday evening dinner is on me.
Friday...
Is there anything?
Is there anything on Friday?
Nothing.
Great. I am assigning this week's task to everyone.
Revert to the email.
Yes, looking forward to it.
Vikram was right.
Either you run the team or the team runs you.
That's why I am going to change my approach.
I am going to keep them on their toes.
And I am going to stay one step ahead of them. That's how
I am going to run my team.
Here, guys.
-Thanks, buddy. -Sunaina.
Thank you.
I think Piyush gave the same task to everyone by mistake.
No. No mistake. It is done deliberately.
It is good. Let Sunaina finish her task. We will copy from that.
What's the point of this?
The point is he is rattled by our feedback.
And he is getting defensive.
What's this way of becoming defensive?
He's playing mind games with us.
He feels we will also get rattled.
Chill, let's play the game nicely.
Your feedback has given me a new perspective.
I gave good feedback.
It is not about good or bad.
I have realized that I need to change my approach.
Is that why you assigned the same task to everyone?
Obviously, Piyush knows we will know.
My life is already a mess.
I don't want to get into the process of mind games.
I will decide my approach on the basis of how everyone approaches this task.
You know what I mean?
Yes, definitely.
In fact, in this entire process, you have a key role to play.
What will happen if he feels like a team lead for a while?
Let him feel whatever he wants to.
I am not doing the task.
-Me too. -You know,
I've realized that there's a gap between my approach and my team's attitude.
I want you to fill that gap.
Okay.
Until I am not updated about my team's activity,
I won't be able to tweak my approach.
You know what I mean?
And the team doesn't have to know about your new role.
Babe, don't worry. Just send me the files. I will do it.
Thanks, babe.
What's the scene about Friday night team dinner?
Shetty.
Friday. Gautam?
Khyati, Piyush has booked a team dinner. That's all.
Team dinner on my birthday?
Guys, this Friday, you guys are coming to my birthday party.
My birthday doesn't come daily.
Of course, we are coming to your birthday, Khyati.
-Don't worry. -I mean, obviously.
Gautam.
Shall we invite Piyush?
Okay, so you please keep a check.
Send an official invite to the team.
Tomorrow, conference room. 9 am sharp.
-9 am? -Yes.
Alright. See you, guys. Bye.
-Are you going? -Yes.
Neha, please keep me updated.
-Sure, sir. -Thanks.
-Bye. -Bye.
Where did he leave so early today?
-It takes time to plot. -Right.
You are making him a villain without reason.
He must have gone for some work. You also take half day, Shetty.
-Mine is different. -Neha.
-Yes. -Neha.
What meeting is there tomorrow at 9 am?
I don't know. Piyush asked me to mail everyone, so I did.
Thank you.
First, the task. Now, this meeting.
Is it a mistake or did he do it on purpose?
Don't make him a villain without reason.
Look at his deeds.
-Guys. -No, you know what?
If he wants to do this, let's do it.
No one will come at 9 am tomorrow and no one will finish the task.
-No, don't do that. -Guys.
What? Who is giving useless tasks and who is wasting time?
Guys, if we don't unite together...
-Guys. -Okay, done.
Go. Spend some time with your baby.
Okay.
John Nash had given an interesting theory.
Game theory.
To understand the delicate balance of conflict and cooperation
in any team activity,
it is important to know the game theory.
I told you they won't come on time.
No issues. We will wait.
My team feels I am playing a game with them.
Wrong. I am playing game theory.
What's up, Piyush? Have you started coming before Gyanesh?
Come on, guys. Please sit.
Sorry. We got a little late.
That's okay.
Guys, this meeting is called for a specific purpose.
You must be wondering why I gave you all the same task.
Actually, I am asked to give my feedback on you all
and I thought it would only be fair to make it performance-based.
So, quick, status check.
Gautam?
Almost done.
Shetty.
-Going on. -Piyush, you should have informed us about this.
That would have defeated the purpose of the exercise, right?
Anyway, you guys have some time. Task submission is by EOD.
It is just 9:30 am now.
Let's take a status check in the evening.
-Good day, guys. -You too.
What is our next move, Sunaina?
Let's complete the task.
-We have time till evening. -What?
Guys, at least try. I will help after that, okay?
We had decided that we won't do it.
-Exactly. -I have taken half day's leave.
Cancel it, Shetty.
I need it. It is important.
Yes, babe, hello.
-It will be done. Don't worry. -This is also important.
Buddy.
-Hurry. -I will call later. Bye.
Let's do one thing, Sunaina. Complete the task.
We will change the signature later and submit it.
I think it is a good idea. Let's do it.
-And he won't know it? -Let him.
What nonsense? Do your own tasks.
-We considered you our leader. -Am I?
Piyush is the team lead, right?
We will have to operate according to his whims and fancies.
Guys, I have to go.
I have to take the baby for a regular check-up. See you later.
Neha, you are free today, right?
I...
Okay.
Go on.
Piyush, I am just settling into the team.
If they get to know that I am talking behind their backs,
everything will be ruined. They will think...
No. Wait.
Why are you thinking like that? Do not think like that.
You know what? In fact, you should think that because of your contribution,
what positive impact they will have.
Right? And then what? They will thank you for it.
Right?
-Yes. -So?
So
Gautam has asked me to do his task.
What is he doing then?
I don't know.
-Roshan. -Yes, sir.
Godzilla is going under 18. Bid on it.
-From top or bottom? -Don't you know?
-Sorry, sir. -Hey, what a timing.
Check this.
There's a volcano-facing flat available in Andromeda.
Shall I book?
No, leave it be.
You don't know what you are missing.
Metaverse is the future.
Everyone will own a house here in the future.
At that time, you will be homeless.
Look. His salary is one-fourth of yours.
He owns four houses in Milky Way.
-How many? -Five, sir.
He is going to buy his fifth.
Shall I book?
Do you know what my salary is?
No, I am just guessing.
Can you guess something else for me?
-Roshan. -Yes, sir.
Go and bring tea.
Okay. I will get it, sir.
Bring two.
Gautam and Shetty.
Their salary is less than yours. Why are you asking?
No, not salary.
Hold on.
You want to spy on your friends?
I won't. Have you lost it?
Okay.
I am getting you a client.
-Who? -There's one.
-Hey, Supriya, there's a lifetime opportunity. -Hey.
Something in Andromeda...
Sorry. I can't hear you. I will call you back.
I have created a monster. What do I have to do?
All my pieces on the chessboard are set exactly
where I want them to be.
Now, time for my final strategic move.
Check this.
Fine. Thank you.
Guys.
-Status. -Submitted.
-Shetty. -Almost done.
EOD is also almost done.
-Gautam. -I have done it.
You didn't do it. Neha did it.
Why are you looking there? I know it.
-I gave it to her for checking. -Gautam.
I know.
I also know whose work you were doing.
If you want to do Khyati Mehra's work, join her team.
It was an emergency. I was just helping.
You were taking me for granted, Gautam.
Not just you. Shetty, if you have any excuse, please shoot.
Listen, buddy.
-You never mentioned this task was for feedback. -True.
-Right? -Shetty, you also never told us you went for an interview at Kiatech
with the pretext of the baby's doctor appointment.
Did you leave any options?
Do you know how important this appraisal is for me?
The entire appraisal amount will bne divided in 5 parts.
I had to go.
All I have been trying to do is bring the work of my team on track.
And instead of supporting me, you are sidelining me.
No one is taking me seriously no matter what I am saying.
When someone else said you don't have to do the task, you agreed.
And they have finished their job.
-Shetty, understand who is playing mind games. -Piyush.
Piyush.
If you have to say anything about me, have the guts to say it on my face.
Yes, I am coming to you.
Neha.
What did Sunaina say?
Why are you scared? Say it.
She said no one will do the task.
No one will do the task?
Then why did you do it, Sunaina?
Come on, Piyush. I don't have time
to play these stupid games. I actually have work to do.
Look at me, Sunaina.
Now, I am having a conversation with you face to face.
Okay.
You think completing your task on time will get you good feedback?
In fact, I will give your feedback now.
Yes.
You think you can be a better team lead than me?
Learn to be a good team player first.
You are selfish.
And congratulations, for single-handedly disrupting my whole team.
Anyway, let this task be.
Get down to doing the Jeffersons deliverables, I want it by tomorrow EOD.
I have emailed all the details. If you have to work overnight, then do it.
I don't want any delays.
You don't have any work?
Jean Racine had said
A gem cannot be polished without friction.
And nor a man without trials.
My team will be angry with me for sometime,
And I'm okay with that.
Darn it.
Neha.
Why are you crying?
Neha.
I am sorry.
We were working with him for a long time.
If we couldn't understand him,
how will you?
Neha, have some water.
It's okay.
Excellent job Piyush.
Now, this is what I call quality code.
Piyush, your team's turnaround time has also improved with this.
Good job.
-Thank you, Vikram. -Coffee?
Yeah, sure.
Piyush, tell me something. What do you think worked for you?
Vikram, I made my team my boss outside the office.
And I am the boss inside the office.
Piyush, when I started working we use to play football every Sunday.
Me, my girlfriend and other collegues.
We used to forget everything and just enjoy the game.
- Sunaina? - Yes
Let's go.
This last bit is left. I will finish and come.
You will definitely come, right?
Of course.
I won't miss a party thrown with Gautam's money.
Suddenly people stopped to play.
I realised that very late that it was because of me that people stopped coming.
I guess I was acting as a teamleader on field as well.
I realised later that I treated them as my office collegues and not my friends.
I happened to pass that ground.
It was empty.
The entire Sunday got lost in that emptiness.
Neha, where are you?
I am downstairs. Coming.
-Which building? -Khyati's.
What are you doing there?
Gautam had organized her birthday party, right?
He messaged in the group.
Which group?
Which group? I don't know.
Okay, sir. Sorry. Bye.
Piyush, do you know when Betal rules over Vikram?
When he is most happy.
Be careful.
No. I will call you back tomorrow.
Okay.
Yeah. I got it.
Okay. See you.
Bye.
If you make one more call, I will throw your phone.
Then how will I come running in just one call?
I am having drinks with you after three years.
The moment is nice. I feel positive vibes. Why are you sad?
If your team was partying without you after ditching you,
you also won't feel the moment.
That is my team.
I don't party with them.
That's my problem. They are not just my team.
They are my friends.
I didn't expect this.
I feel I just can't keep my friendships.
I have one-sided affairs.
And those friends cheat me as soon as I turn.
Don't blame me for your fuck-ups.
I didn't go to Vikram.
Vikram called me and gave me your segment.
But you took it, right?
Anyone in my place would do the same.
No, brother.
I wouldn't have accepted it.
I would never do it.
You told me that you are going to the US.
We were sitting like this then as well.
Cheers.
I felt very bad.
Not because you were going and I wasn't. That was not the case.
My friend was going.
You came back. You didn't even call.
Yet, you called me, right?
Yes.
Because you didn't change.
I had to.
Maybe I also would have refused Vikram three years ago.
I have learned to achieve after being in the US.
And achieving is easier than doing the right things.
I chose the easy path, and you, like always chose the right path.
That's the only difference between us.
No one is perfect.
You just wavered this time and that is okay.
Your team didn't reject you.
They just rejected the version of you that they don't understand.
That they don't know or agree with.
Do you know what the main thing is?
You should know that however you are,
you are amazing.
Just stop these mind games.
Be yourself.
You will get the feel of what is the right path.
Your drinks are speaking.
But it is right.
Let's not go there.
-Kalpesh is right. -Why not?
To maintain the balance between conflict and cooperation,
I didn't have to play mind games.
I didn't have to be a step ahead of my team.
I had to keep them with me at every step.
But as a team lead, once again, I have to change my approach.
And that's what I am going to do.
I am going to do the right thing. A fresh start.