“The Price of Perspective”
By Lokanath Mishra
There was a multi locational firm which was one of the most influential consulting companies in the country. With divisions in finance, law, engineering, and digital transformation, it had mastered every technical domain. Yet its leadership felt a missing piece: someone who could handle public perception with subtlety and tact.
The CEO, Anita Mehra, a pragmatic leader with sharp intuition, decided to hire a Director of Public Affairs—a role critical for managing stakeholders, media, and government relations.
Anita devised a single-question test for all the shortlisted candidates. She believed that the right response would reveal not just intelligence, but also adaptability, discretion, and understanding of human dynamics.
The question was:
“What is seven plus five?”
The Writer’s Imagination
The first applicant, Ravi Sen, was an award-winning novelist. Known for his creative thinking, he leaned back in his chair, tapped his pen, and replied with a twinkle in his eye:
“Seventy-five.”
He explained that by placing the numbers side by side, one could see things differently. Anita admired his imagination, but she also knew the company needed more than playful cleverness.
The Politician’s Diplomacy
Next came Maya Rao, a former local politician. When asked the question, she smiled warmly and said:
“That depends… Do you want the rural answer or the urban one? Either way, I’m glad we’re talking about it.”
Her response showed charm and the art of deflection. But Anita sensed that while she could win hearts, she might not handle corporate crises with the required clarity.
The Scientist’s Precision
The third candidate was Dr. Arvind Kulkarni, a physicist. Hearing the question, he pulled out his calculator and after careful checking, announced:
“According to my calculations, it is 11.999 recurring—close enough to 12.”
His answer reflected accuracy and rigor, but also rigidity. Anita knew that pure precision often failed in the gray world of corporate politics.
The Judge’s Authority
The fourth candidate was a Sub Judge(Retd.) Kavita Nair, a respected former sub-, judge ( retired voluntarily) . She responded firmly:
“As per the established facts and precedents of mathematics, seven plus five is unquestionably twelve.”
Her certainty was admirable, but Anita realized she would never bend in situations that demanded flexibility.
The Accountant’s Secret
Finally came Neha Sethi, a voluntarily retired IRS officer and qualified chartered accountant with years of experience in taxation administration .
When Anita asked, “What is seven plus five?”, Neha didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she rose quietly, walked over to the door, closed it softly, and returned to her seat.
Leaning forward, she lowered her voice and said:
“How much would you like it to be?”
For the first time in the day, Anita smiled.
The Hidden Meaning
Neha’s answer carried layers of wisdom:
• Flexibility: In business, numbers and narratives are often shaped to fit the desired outcome.
• Client Orientation: She prioritized what Anita needed, not what she knew.
• Discretion: Closing the door symbolized confidentiality—an essential quality in managing sensitive matters.
• Practical Wisdom: Unlike the others, she understood that public relations was not about absolute truth, but about the truth that serves.
Anita realized she had found her Director of Public Affairs.