Some people get handed power. Others have to fight for dignity.

A while ago, I was asked to travel for work. Nothing major. The job was to support some company events abroad. It was a super big deal for me. Had no fancy title, just a sense of pride in doing the good work. I cleaned up, suited up and flew out, determined to be useful.

From the airport, went straight to the venue – no sleep, just duty. I helped set up, greeted guests, and kept things moving. Even when I was ill, I kept going. I wanted to prove that I deserve to be there.

The day that shattered my stupid illusions

Two high-level executives had arrived on the final day to “check-in”. I was told to show the utmost respect, which I did. I smiled, showed politeness and was professional. One of them responded in kind – which I appreciate. The other?

He looked at me like a stain on the fucking carpet.

Without wasting time, the guy demanded who I was and what I was doing there. I explained calmly only to be cut off.

“You’re a waste of my money. You don’t deserve to be here and should have stayed back and rotted where you came from”

Said it straight to my face directly in front of others. No one stepped in. My supervisor stayed quiet and I smiled through this bullshit like a fucking idiot because I know what I am – a Nobody.

Later, my illness completely took over and I couldn’t even get out of bed.

The silence was louder

When I returned back, everything felt colder. People avoided eye contact. Whispers floated. Whatever happened had clearly been passed around.

No one asked how I was except for a random guy. A kind older visitor from another country – came up to me quietly and asked if I was ok. He had heard the comment and was genuinely shocked. This was a pleasant surprise for me as people from my country were completely indifferent.

A toxic culture wearing a suit

This was my first close up look at the company politics at a mid sized South Asian company. At the time, I was flabbergasted by the amount of bullshit I saw form these people.

The office was an impenetrable fortress built on family ties and favoritism. Literally a small circle of family members that ruled from the top, passing rewards and praise among themselves. The rest of the employees? Work stolen and completely forgotten.

No matter how hard anyone worked, growth and rewards were exclusively reserved for the “inner circle” members. Talent did NOT matter. Loyalty to the top did.

My point here

I don’t want to cry about my life. I told this story as I am pretty sure that at least a few of you will be experiencing this or have already done so.

This is the true nature of small to mid size South Asian family owned and run businesses. If you don’t play with the politics, you will be the victim of some random bullshit that you don’t even know about.

This is a reminder to both you and me:

You don’t need permission to rise. You just need a reason.