Nepal, Dec. 8 -- The surface tension of the water in the cup on his desk rippled as his boss approached. But Samrat didn't need to see that to know. The sound of footsteps, the overpowering stench of cologne, and the creeping tension down his spine were enough to warn him-Mr. Durbesh was rushing toward him. Before the man reached his cubicle, Samrat had already turned around, head hung in shame, fists clenched on his knees, bracing himself for the inevitable yelling.

Instead, Mr Durbesh walked past him without so much as a glance. Samrat blinked in surprise. This was a first. In five years at this job, the boss had never passed his desk without a yell, a glare, or a snide remark. Slowly, Samrat exhaled, the tension draining from his shou...