Good dean, bad dean!

I have finished my course and I am almost an MBA now. Almost in the sense, that I am yet to finish my dissertation and one more exam to go (thanks to the insanity of an old man), but who cares!!! I’ll still call myself an “MBA in Marketing” and give a pat on my back to achieve this herculean task. (yeah, LOL!!!)

But in these two years I have noticed a familiar concept due to some instances (or issues) that have either shook the college management or the students. Instances like hike in fees, two sections (140 students) failed in exam, guys and girls sitting together (can you beat that!! :D) and other such things. Some were serious and others were made serious. Anyway, during these time I have noticed the occurrence of the “good cop/bad cop” concept. This is generally seen in movies where a culprit is caught and is tortured and threatened by the “bad cop” after whom the “good cop” comes and tries to calm him down in the hope of getting the information from the culprit. The sudden change of behavior in the approach of the two cops makes the culprit more vulnerable to confess or say things that the cops want to the good guy who acts as a “friend” as he behaves in a manner that seems kind and beneficial for the culprit.

My college is founded and run by two brothers, our honorary deans Mr. MA and Mr. SA.

MA is in the U.S. for the most of the time of the year and gives occasional visits while managing the college through the efficient management of the staff here (once again LOL!!!) while SA is here and manages the…umm…gardens (?). Never mind that, but the thing is that the college is somehow managed and students pass from the college with shattered hopes, broken hearts and bitter sweet memories!

Okay, so how the good cop/bad cop concept comes in the picture. It’s like this – whenever there arises a problem or a serious issue, we see an uproar among the students against the management. The management, including in some instances Mr. SA (the bad cops), tries its best to suppress us and make us look like it was all our fault and that we, the students, are not capable of anything. Now, as one may expect, the students don’t take this kindly and rebel vigorously against the decisions taken by the management. The tug of war (of words and power) keeps on going for some time and reaches a dead end. The bad cops leave a wound in the hearts of the innocent and hardworking students (hmmm…yeah it’s true alright) while the management hides its face.

And then enters the good cop, Mr MA. He is a kind hearted, highly knowledgeable man and has the knack to impress people through his speeches and that heavy voice. He is always supportive of the students. Whatever the case is, he has always talked in the favor of the students. Many of us look forward to his visits and if at all there is any lecture or seminar to be given by him, we all turn out in large numbers to listen to him, learn from him or discuss our grievances with him. We have never been let down so far by him and I don’t think it will ever be for the future batches as well.

Big deal, eh!?. But how does it affects us?

It affects us in the way that the anger, the frustration, the plans of revenge, the bad mouthing, the etc etc feelings are all washed away with the words of Mr. MA. The students are sometimes left mesmerized and are sometime hushed and calmed down ( in a good way). A feeling of satisfaction prevails amongst us for the few days after the decision till another issue crops up and again the same cycle goes on and on and on!!!

How does it help the college? Well, the funda is that whenever the solution comes out after the visit of Mr. MA, it is always mid-way which suits both, the college and the students. Also, the students are quiet now and thus the college can continue its functions as before. Everyone’s happy and the routine continues. Now is it deliberate or not, I ain’t' sure. But is it effective? Hell yeah!!!

So for anyone in the future batch of ABS, next time any issue comes up, it’s better to call Mr. MA directly in the U.S. rather than wasting energy on getting head-on with the “efficient” management. Isn’t it!?

Adios,

Kunal Lodha