The World today and our Hypocrisy!

I probably know that this is not a moment for me to show this emotion, but can't help but express it.

So yet another person died in the hands of the police who are supposed to be guarding us from the dangers of the evils. Make no mistake, the men and women in uniform have always protected us and like in every form life, there are always exceptions.

But, that mentioned, it really does warrant an outrage and justifies all the protests that goes around globe! However, I feel a bit hypocritical about fighting for just one race or one living being! Is Alyan Kurdi not worthy of this protest? Are the thousands that have been displaced from Syria not worthy of these protests? Are thousands that are fighting in Hong Kong not worthy of these protests? Are the millions that were separated from their homeland in Srilanka not worthy of these protests? Are the billion odd people who are oppressed in China not worthy of these protests? Are the thousands that lost their lives in Iraq/Libya not worthy of these protests? 

Each year, thousands die because of gun violence. Mad men with guns get into school and shoot children. Don't those lives matter too? We are all putting our next generation to the dangers of Climate change! Should we not do anything about it? Is it not just hypocritical to fight for one race when there are so many more such races which face this! Future Generation is in itself a race, in my view!

Please make no mistake that am against this moment or the movement. Black Lives do matter and so do other lives as well! Every war/battle/fight/protest needs a purpose. And at this moment what I see is a very narrow view of all us. I strongly feel that this cannot be a moment or fight for just one race, it has to be holistic in nature towards the systemic social injustice and violence that is there across the globe. Else this will be one other moment/movement like the MeToo moment/movement and this shall also pass. For what I remember, if people had a sustained effort after Dr. King died, we would have not had this conversation! We are just the puppets of a very few who can manipulate our actions for their own purposes and keep the challenges alive while killing lives!

Again, make no mistake! I'm not complaining! I'm just anxious that we are not fighting for the right purpose, while also highlighting our hypocrisy! And after all, even I'm an hypocrite who cries foul when an elephant or a lion is hunted down, but can eat chicken and goat!

And so.... Each and every life should matter! Can we think like that? The change cannot be left to just the policy makers, but in people's minds as well!

Regards,

Raj.

COVID-19: Aftermath

So here we go, after a long while penning my emotions.

I was sitting in office today for the weekly leadership meeting. One of the guys was sneezing and worst is he traveled into Texas, the previous day! I even nudged him politely stating it worries me that he is sneezing and that, may be, he should not be in office! But he shrugged it off and the other guy wasn't worried like I was.

During my presentation, the risk aware me, raised the potential risk of disruption due to COVID-19 and almost instantly the question from the two was like, what about it? I said, we need to come up with a BCP for it because it is spreading fast and it was question of time that we prepare for it. It was a pause for a moment and I was hoping that it was taken seriously. The answer was, a lot more silence!! Mind you, this was last week, when the number of cases around the globe was raising and Italy is at the kind of brink.

That evening when I was driving back, I could not help but think of the below and I thought I may want to record it and look back how this had panned out.

- This virus is gonna bull doze a lot of things.
- The world would have changed forever.
- Economy will go down a lot. A lot of us will lose jobs.
- Food shortage because of transport and/or famine.
- Across the globe, social unrest will be there. With no money and job to earn money, people will turn to looting and stealing.

This will not be an easy world going forward. I for one, feel a bit weird. I feel a lot scared, but have to pretend to be brave for the sake of my girls!

At the other end of the pandemic, we may have changed forever. Whoever survives the virus and the violence, may be can restore what we used to call as humanity!

Hope that I'm wrong. Generally am not this pessimistic, but 1 week into that discussion, my folks at office do not realize what is and why we need a BCP.

And so is the leadership of many countries. Some have kind of shut things down and some haven't. But to me this is not just about virus, but also about the world after that! I'm not sure if any country leader is thinking about it! What and how to go about the disruption and potential social unrest!

All I can do today is to hope! Hope is the first cure for all problems!

Why do we need sports in life

Been a long time that I've blogged, but felt I should record it.

Over the weekend, after a hard fought Nilaa's volleyball game, I was having a conversation with her coach and the conversation turned to why did Nilaa get to a sport. He had his reasons, but mine was, sports is very much a good medium that builds an attitude for life. He was like, how so? Sports allows us to be in the real. It doesn't matter what your previous point was, you have to get back to reality to face the next ball. And it puts you in the moment. He was like, this is a good perspective.

This is exactly what I used to tell both my girls. Learn that attitude from sport! I still practice to get out at least once a week even after 40, is just to practice to be in the moment. 

Sports gives you attitude!! Allows you to practice CAP Of life. Committement, Attitude, Passion!!

So get out and give yourselves an exposure to a sport and most importantly to your kids!

Possibility from Probability

 Just a random thought...

Can possibility and probability co-exist? While in theory, it is not possible, I think in reality all of us are a real good example of them. 

Let's look at it simply. We are one in a billion which is allowed by an egg, That is the probability. From there on, here we are a possibility. If that tiny little sperm can beat all odds and bring us into reality, what can we not acheive?

All of us are born acheivers! It is just that we need to keep it going!

Regards,
Raj.

Lesson from Tides and Sun.

Last month, at dawn, on a Chennai beach resort, I happened to be sipping a coffee in a relaxed fashion and watching the Sun rise over Bay of Bengal!

I was seeing this beautiful work of Universe/Galaxy/Mother Earth in play. As serene and calming it was, this is what was stuck with me on how arrogant or in one sense igonorant, we have all become.

What do tides teach us? Perseverance: They keep trying every moment to breach the shore. They never give up!

What does Sun teach us? Hope: Each day Sun comes (I know earth rotates and not Sun) back with a hope that we will get better and not giving up on us, giving us another chance.

Imagine, if the tides succeed and/or Sun gives up! It is destruction! That is how fragile we are as the potentially only conscience in this universe, at least at this point!

The lesson I took from that morning is, keep hoping and persevere! If we lose hope and don't keep trying, life ends!

Regards,

Raj.

Integrity undefined

There was a question on Integrity in one of the conversations I was having with my friends. Not sure if I read it somewhere, but, here was what I said as my definition.

Integrity is not about doing something right when someone is watching, but it is about not doing the wrong thing when none is watching! Meaning, doing the right thing, being the right thing at all times! Is it possible? I believe yes! If we are true to ourselves, I think we can!!

Regards,
Raj.

Ovvaiyaar’s Aathichudi with Mei Ezhutuhgal now.

Long back, I wrote something on our grand old Lady Ovvaiyar's Aathichudi and the compilation was for only Mei Ezhuthugal.

There were requests from a lot of folks to post them for Mei Ezhuthugal as well. I can say an excuse of not finding time, but the real reason was I did not have the resources nor the knowledge to write the correct ones! Now, I bumped up on my friend Sabari Ganesh who had it all compiled on his FB page and am just presenting it as is. Enjoy reading.

Uyir Ezhuthugal:

1. அறம் செய விரும்பு / 1. Learn to love virtue.

2. ஆறுவது சினம் / 2. Control anger.
3. இயல்வது கரவேல் / 3. Don't forget Charity.
4. ஈவது விலக்கேல் / 4. Don't prevent philanthropy.
5. உடையது விளம்பேல் / 5. Don't betray confidence.
6. ஊக்கமது கைவிடேல் / 6. Don't forsake motivation.
7. எண் எழுத்து இகழேல் / 7. Don't despise learning.
8. ஏற்பது இகழ்ச்சி / 8. Don't freeload.
9. ஐயம் இட்டு உண் / 9. Feed the hungry and then feast.
10. ஒப்புரவு ஒழுகு / 10. Emulate the great.
11. ஓதுவது ஒழியேல் / 11. Discern the good and learn.
12. ஒளவியம் பேசேல் / 12. Speak no envy.
13. அகம் சுருக்கேல் / 13. Don't shortchange.

Mei Ezhuthugal:

14. கண்டொன்று சொல்லேல் / 14. Don't flip-flop.
15. ஙப் போல் வளை / 15. Bend to befriend.
16. சனி நீராடு / 16. Shower regularly.
17. ஞயம்பட உரை / 17. Sweeten your speech.
18. இடம்பட வீடு எடேல் / 18. Judiciously space your home.
19. இணக்கம் அறிந்து இணங்கு / 19. Befriend the best.
20. தந்தை தாய்ப் பேண் / 20. Protect your parents.
21. நன்றி மறவேல் / 21. Don't forget gratitude.
22. பருவத்தே பயிர் செய் / 22. Husbandry has its season.
23. மண் பறித்து உண்ணேல் / 23. Don't land-grab.
24. இயல்பு அலாதன செய்யேல் / 24. Desist demeaning deeds.
25. அரவம் ஆட்டேல் / 25. Don't play with snakes.
26. இலவம் பஞ்சில் துயில் / 26. Cotton bed better for comfort.
27. வஞ்சகம் பேசேல் / 27. Don't sugar-coat words.
28. அழகு அலாதன செய்யேல் / 28. Detest the disorderly.
29. இளமையில் கல் / 29. Learn when young.
30. அரனை மறவேல் / 30. Cherish charity.
31. அனந்தல் ஆடேல் / 31. Over sleeping is obnoxious.
32. கடிவது மற / 32. Constant anger is corrosive.
33. காப்பது விரதம் / 33. Saving lives superior to fasting.
34. கிழமைப்பட வாழ் / 34. Make wealth beneficial.
35. கீழ்மை அகற்று / 35. Distance from the wicked.
36. குணமது கைவிடேல் / 36. Keep all that are useful.
37. கூடிப் பிரியேல் / 37. Don't forsake friends.
38. கெடுப்பது ஒழி / 38. Abandon animosity.
39. கேள்வி முயல் / 39. Learn from the learned.
40. கைவினை கரவேல் / 40. Don't hide knowledge.
41. கொள்ளை விரும்பேல் / 41. Don't swindle.
42. கோதாட்டு ஒழி / 42. Ban all illegal games.
43. கெளவை அகற்று / 43. Don't vilify.
44. சக்கர நெறி நில் / 44. Honor your Lands Constitution.
45. சான்றோர் இனத்து இரு / 45. Associate with the noble.
46. சித்திரம் பேசேல் / 46. Stop being paradoxical.
47. சீர்மை மறவேல் / 47. Remember to be righteous.
48. சுளிக்கச் சொல்லேல் / 48. Don't hurt others feelings.
49. சூது விரும்பேல் / 49. Don't gamble.
50. செய்வன திருந்தச் செய் / 50. Action with perfection.
51. சேரிடம் அறிந்து சேர் / 51. Seek out good friends.
52. சையெனத் திரியேல் / 52. Avoid being insulted.
53. சொற் சோர்வு படேல் / 53. Don't show fatigue in conversation.
54. சோம்பித் திரியேல் / 54. Don't be a lazybones.
55. தக்கோன் எனத் திரி / 55. Be trustworthy.
56. தானமது விரும்பு / 56. Be kind to the unfortunate.
57. திருமாலுக்கு அடிமை செய் / 57. Serve the protector.
58. தீவினை அகற்று / 58. Don't sin.
59. துன்பத்திற்கு இடம் கொடேல் / 59. Don't attract suffering.
60. தூக்கி வினை செய் / 60. Deliberate every action.
61. தெய்வம் இகழேல் / 61. Don't defame the divine.
62. தேசத்தோடு ஒட்டி வாழ் / 62. Live in unison with your countrymen.
63. தையல் சொல் கேளேல் / 63. Don't listen to the designing.
64. தொன்மை மறவேல் / 64. Don't forget your past glory.
65. தோற்பன தொடரேல் / 65. Don't compete if sure of defeat.
66. நன்மை கடைப்பிடி / 66. Adhere to the beneficial.
67. நாடு ஒப்பன செய் / 67. Do nationally agreeables.
68. நிலையில் பிரியேல் / 68. Don't depart from good standing.
69. நீர் விளையாடேல் / 69. Don't jump into a watery grave.
70. நுண்மை நுகரேல் / 70. Don't over snack.
71. நூல் பல கல் / 71. Read variety of materials.
72. நெற்பயிர் விளைவு செய் / 72. Grow your own staple.
73. நேர்பட ஒழுகு / 73. Exhibit good manners always.
74. நைவினை நணுகேல் / 74. Don't involve in destruction.
75. நொய்ய உரையேல் / 75. Don't dabble in sleaze.
76. நோய்க்கு இடம் கொடேல் / 76. Avoid unhealthy lifestyle.
77. பழிப்பன பகரேல் / 77. Speak no vulgarity.
78. பாம்பொடு பழகேல் / 78. Keep away from the vicious.
79. பிழைபடச் சொல்லேல் / 79. Watch out for self incrimination.
80. பீடு பெற நில் / 80. Follow path of honor.
81. புகழ்ந்தாரைப் போற்றி வாழ் / 81. Protect your benefactor.
82. பூமி திருத்தி உண் / 82. Cultivate the land and feed.
83. பெரியாரைத் துணைக் கொள் / 83. Seek help from the old and wise.
84. பேதைமை அகற்று / 84. Eradicate ignorance.
85. பையலோடு இணங்கேல் / 85. Don't comply with idiots.
86. பொருள்தனைப் போற்றி வாழ் / 86. Protect and enhance your wealth.
87. போர்த் தொழில் புரியேல் / 87. Don't encourage war.
88. மனம் தடுமாறேல் / 88. Don't vacillate.
89. மாற்றானுக்கு இடம் கொடேல் / 89. Don't accommodate your enemy.
90. மிகைபடச் சொல்லேல் / 90. Don't over dramatize.
91. மீதூண் விரும்பேல் / 91. Don't be a glutton.
92. முனைமுகத்து நில்லேல் / 92. Don't join an unjust fight.
93. மூர்க்கரோடு இணங்கேல் / 93. Don't agree with the stubborn.
94. மெல்லி நல்லாள் தோள்சேர் / 94. Stick with your exemplary wife.
95. மேன்மக்கள் சொல் கேள் / 95. Listen to men of quality.
96. மை விழியார் மனை அகல் / 96. Dissociate from the jealous.
97. மொழிவது அற மொழி / 97. Speak with clarity.
98. மோகத்தை முனி / 98. Hate any desire for lust.
99. வல்லமை பேசேல் / 99. Don't self praise.
100. வாது முற்கூறேல் / 100. Don't gossip or spread rumor.
101. வித்தை விரும்பு / 101. Long to learn.
102. வீடு பெற நில் / 102. Work for a peaceful life.
103. உத்தமனாய் இரு / 103. Lead exemplary life.
104. ஊருடன் கூடி வாழ் / 104. Live amicably.
105. வெட்டெனப் பேசேல் / 105. Don't be harsh with words and deeds.
106. வேண்டி வினை செயேல் / 106. Don't premeditate harm.
107. வைகறைத் துயில் எழு / 107. Be an early-riser.
108. ஒன்னாரைத் தேறேல் / 108. Never join your enemy.
109. ஓரம் சொல்லேல் / 109. Be impartial in judgement.

- ஔவையார்.

For the sake of people who cannot read Thamizh, I'll try to transliterate this into English in a shortwhile. 

- Raj

Friendship's Day

 "துன்பம் வரலாம் இன்பம் வரலாம்... நண்பன் ஒருவன் பங்கு பெறலாம்..."
என்னை விட இந்த வரிகளை உணர்தவர் யார் உண்டோ....

நண்பர்கள் தின நல் வாழ்த்துகள்...
"இந்த தேகம் மறைந்தாலும் நட்பாய் மலர்வேன்..."

Friends are so important and friendships are the key to anyone's life. That is why every culture in the world keeps telling even the parents to be a friend with their children....

Happy Friendships day to everyone...

- Raj

What is Lust?

Most often than not, people tend to portray lust as a very dangerous, derogatory, unwanted, unneeded and unpleasant factor. Especially relating to Humans.

In my view, lust is the most misunderstood and misrepresented term and only defined from the view of sexual desires within the confines of physical pleasure. Little does anyone acknowledge that without lust this world wouldn't even grow. Let's try dissecting my statement. If lust is something that attracts opposite genders physically, that's a bee does to a flower, which creates pollination turning a flower into a fruit and in turn giving us seeds to have more trees! Likewise, a male-female attraction is what allowed to world to blossom into what it is now! And that attraction was fair and square because of lust, how can that be scary than being sacred!  

Not sure how and when every culture started disrespecting lust. But in tamil literature, to be very specific our own Thiruvalluvar defines all of his kurals under categories. அறத்துப்பால் (pronounced as Arathupaal meaning Morality), பொருட்பால் (pronounced as porutpaal meaning Material), காமத்துப்பால் (pronounced as Kaamathupaal meaning desires and Kaamam alone translates to lust); 3rd one being what we are speaking about. If Valluvar defined it as one of the main elements/pillars of your life, it has to be important. After all, all of tamil literature references back to Thirukkural! 

Over the course of time, Lust from being one important element of life to, being the most dangerous element, I think, the humans made it into that! 

So in all, my perspective, Lust is like every other emotion, feeling and also the most basic instinct that any living being has. There should be no shame in admitting to that!

Regards,

Raj.

Women!

The other day at work, on the 8th of march, we have been celebrating the International Women's day.

I thought it is a bit unfair to Women to celebrate them on just a day. Never the less, here is what I said and thought.

Every single relationship that a woman gives to a man has a lot of meaning. The below are a few roles that I see from my perspective and what they mean to me.

Grand Mother - Give unconditional love and affection. 

Aunt - Give the sense of direction and guidance.

Friend - Give a new perspective about life.

Daughter - Give the purpose of a life.

Sister - Trusted and loyal friend forever.

Wife - Life.

Mother - God (though I say nature is God and that is why we call her Mother Nature!)

Of course, there are many other relationships which mean a lot to a man and I mean no disrespect by missing them. I think they are pretty much included in the list above!

A woman is creator. Everyday is new and let us celebrate her everyday!

Women complete men!

- Raj

CAP for Life.....

A lot of times, I've heard people talking about productivity, ability and capability and how to improve these.

To me, these are a bit abstract terms and are very dependent on a lot of other factors.

Rather than talking about people's views on these terms/factors, I would state what my understanding and belief are how to achieve these and what people should worry about or concentrate on to improve them. Here is what I call CAP of life.


C - I would work on the commitment of a person than his/her capability. I know that capability, while it can be improved, I feel that it depends on a person's COMMITMENT towards that. If we do not have a commitment towards a certain cause, I would say, no matter what capability we have within ourselves we would never be able to achieve that cause.

A - If I were to groom a person in my team, I would not worry about hi/hers ability much. I would rather look deep into his/her attitude on life! No matter what your ability is, if you do not have the right attitude, you are as good as nothing. Attitude can be changed and with that ones ability to perform to the expectations enhances! So let us concentrate on our ATTITUDE and ability will follow.

P - Productivity. This of course is probably dependent on Ability and Capability of an individual. So one has to have the attitude and commitment to improve him/herself. However, what's so more important is the PASSION he/she has towards the cause. Without PASSION, nothing goes on in life! I keep telling my team the below. 

Cleaning shit or having sex, do it with passion for it defines whether you are doing a shitty job or a sexy job.
With Passion - a sexy job in cleaning shit; Without passion - A shitty job in having sex!
(forgive my choice of words)


My thought - Without COMMITMENT, ATTITUDE and PASSION, nothing moves on in life!

- Raj

Past is Past?

Nothing personal against anyone. I was triggered when one fellow manager said this to me regarding his direct report. I felt it was not right.
- Raj.

I hate when someone says, past is past! And let us forget it! Particularly when in discussion with higher ups. If past becomes irrelevant, why should I do what I'm to do today as I know it becomes insignificant tomorrow? 

For Managers!
The achievements of individuals in the past portrays the strengths of them!
The under achievements or mistakes of them gives you an opportunity to know where not to fit them in and where to concentrate to mold them into a better individual! 
We cannot simply say I do not care what you did in the past and discard their achievements and mistakes!
- Raj

Relationship

Again, this based on the discussion I had with one of my team mates. I was explaining how we as part of the current engagements are able to keep things to no escalation record. Thought, I should draft it here as well. Of course, this is not the only means to do so, but this is my only way ;)
- Raj

Any relationship, be it professional or personal, is always based on two important factors. Trust and Respect. I do not think that we will ever be able to relate to someone without having these two. However, this does not come very easily and quickly! There are other factors that contribute to these two.
Honesty, Integrity, intent, passion, promise and so on. 

Now, in a professional environment, imagine a relationship with a customer and imagine not having these two. Of course, we start of, probably on a 50/50 note. But then to increase that, we will have to go with the right intent, show integrity, be honest, exhibit passion and pride and most importantly set the right expectations and live up to the promise made! Trust comes with Honest opinions and Respect comes with show of Integrity. These two increase, when we show ownership of what we manage or handle!

It might seem so simple, but it is not so easy to be so! It takes a lot of effort to be so. But once we make it an habit, it is all so simple and when we start a new relationship, we know how to build that and most importantly, that will be built very quickly! 
In essence, make honesty an habit, never compromise your Integrity, do not lose Focus or Intent, never bring down you Passion levels and do not break your Promises.
- Raj

Words of Wisdom.

A few quotes of this yours truly over the years!


Passion is a choice, not an emotion.
Circumstances defines emotions, but how we remain passionate despite our circumstances is a choice!!

No one dump for anyone except for oneself...

The difference between Good and Great!
Both enjoy tremendous success. However, the great remain Humble!
Success without humility means nothing!


Good people are part of Success Stories.
Great People make those Stories!

Leaders choose what problem to live with!

Life is all about taking small but right steps!

Ego is the best poison to kill any relationship!

Honesty is not easy, but it is the only one that helps!

Fact of Life: Ladies teach Patience to men; Men teach Perseverance to Ladies.

You can desire for a lot, but know what you need and be happy when you get what you need! For this shall be the difference between greed and content!

While other teachers train you and give tests, Life trains you by testing!

No Problem solves by itself or can be differed! FACE IT straight away!


Cleaning shit or having sex, do it with passion for it defines whether you are doing a shitty job or a sexy job.
With Passion - a sexy job in cleaning shit; Without passion - A shitty job in having sex!

Being Proactive is not about completing a task (that you were supposed to do) ahead of schedule. It is about doing a task that none expected you to do, in an efficient and effective way. It is about taking an initiative, seeing through it till the end!

Things are not as complicated as they seem when we look at them retrospectively. So take life as simple as you can.

Information, if only it is shared, it becomes an experience of mine, else it remains as a distinct memory within myself.

To me no question is stupid or intelligent because the nature of the question depends on the answer! Anyone who has the guts to ask any sort of question to me is intelligent as he wants to learn more!

It is my experience.. when you have two choices and you are unable to decide which you "think" is the right one and you decide to flip a coin.... The right option will be known moments after you flip the coin up and you "feel" the right option even before the coin starts descending... You would desperately want the coin to take your feeling and give the right choice... 

Moral of the statement... do what you feel is right.. If it was wrong, you try to make it right or learn to live with it. And no regrets... 


மேகம் என்று என்னை எள்ளி நகை ஆடாதே...
மேகங்கள் மோதி தான் இடியும் மின்னலும்... 
நான் இடித்தால் வெடித்தால்...

If you think am a cloud that would just pass by.. 
Beware... 
Am the source of thunder and light....

Embrace each person according to his or her characteristics, not position or title.

Everyone you encounter is your teacher!

 உடல் உழைக்க சொல்வேன்.. அதில் பிழைக்க சொல்வேன்...

 "I'm responsible for what I say, not for what you understand!"

 A wise man once sat in the audience & cracked a joke.

 All laughed like crazy. After a moment he cracked the same joke again and a little less people laughed this time. He cracked the same joke again & again, when there was no laughter in the crowd, he smiled and said,

 When u can’t laugh on the same joke again & again, then why do u keep crying over the same thing over and over again....

 Learn to move on

- Anonymous

To be appreciated by the team!

What happened today was something that I would have never imagined at all.

While the MVP award waits for me at SG, to be given something by my team, so unexpectedly is a real good feeling. This one is the MVP award that I would always ever cherish. One that, the team stands up and telling me that you are not bad ;). Now, I know I can handle my emotions when I'm receiving this award on the 8th of March, 2012.

I don't know how this happens. To have everyone around me in my life to give 100% support in everything that I do, to make me successful, I don't know what to say!
Time, luck, God, blessing, be it anything or anyone! Thank you!

I'm really honored to be leading this team, one that I build and the one that would always remain my legacy!

Thanks to these wonderful living beings around me who make me feel special each day, who make me wanting to live another day, wanting to come to work every single day!

Thank you team!

- Raj

The Letter 'P'

I do not know why, but I like this letter P, for most words that start with it are very important to us in life.
I keep insisting in the below words in my team!

Passion, Pride.

No matter what job you do, if you do it with passion and take pride in that, we derive satisfaction and we learn something new even if it gets monotonous.

A person without a passion is like a dead rat.

Of course there are quite a few other words.
Patience
Perseverance
Practice
Performance

But with all due respect, these words do not match the impact that Passion and Pride give us in life!

An Amazing letter called P :)

- Raj

Successful Marriages.

Remember 3Cs in Married life.
Commitment, Compromise and Communication.
If you have these 3Cs with your best half, life will be smooth!

- Yours Truly!

And remember to have these with with only one ;)

Innovation

In the recent past, for all good reasons, there were a lot of dicussions that I happened to be on where Innovation was a term that was coming across as the most important thing. I do not deny it and for an organization that is as huge as mine, innovation should be the bare minimum we have to have in us.

However, when I heard something like let us start innovating, bring people together to innovate, I was a bit amused.

Is Innovation so simple? Can I bring in a few people together and say Innovate and they start doing that. I mean not just straight away, but say within an years time can they innovate? I bet no. Because, there is something called lateral thinking which is very important in any innovation as is the ability to have crazy ideas. People have to have it in them to be innovative. It needs a lot of passion, commitment, courage, hard work and ability to perservere as the pressure of time will always be there.

To me, Innovation can neither be a choice nor a force. I cannot, one day, stand up and say from today on I'll be an innovator, nor my boss can come and say, come on Raj you will have to be an innovator and I feel very stupid to even think that from next day onwards I shall start doing things differently.

Innovation is not just doing things differently. It is also doing different things. It requires will to change the way of life. It needs support. It can be in any form or department of the organization. It can be anything technical, operational and a lot of times even in management.

Innovation has to be a culture. It has to be in the DNA of a person and in the larger context, should also be in the DNA of the organization. As always, culture can only be fostered and not forced. We will have to give and take time to bring in the culture or even change or nuture this culture.

And in today's world, with everyone talking about time and cost (not price) it is not easy for someone to just innovate as he/she will need time and space to even think, then execute, test and have the fruits of the results.

Looking back, I know I have a few things that I have innovated at work and I think it helped. I just have to document them and may be share it with larger audience.

So in essence, innovation can never be forced upon. It can be fostered by instilling passion within the organizaation to be different and think differently.

- Raj.

Management Vs. Leadership

There is an ever ending debate and discussion on Management and leadership.

This recently surfaced in a forum called Key Talent @ HP and I was part of it. Don't ask me if I'm key to HP or if I have the talent ;). I, in fact asked the same question myself to the anchor.

Never the less, that is not the topic of discussion now. I thought of penning down my thoughts on these two and what differentiates a Leader from a Manager. Of course both these roles are good, equally important, and I mean no disrespect to management.

- Raj

Here we go....

Of course, the simple meaning could be Leaders lead and Managers manage. But the question always lingers on what more do the leaders bring in. How do they ensure the organization sees the difference. Here are my simple and short thoughts.

Managers Manage the battle; Leaders Lead the war.

Managers Plan; Leaders Stratergize.

Managers Debate; Leaders Decide.

Managers Delegate; Leaders Own.

Managers are for a Team no matter the size of it; Leaders are for an organization and no matter the size of it.

Managers enforce Processes; Leaders define Policies.
Managers Train; Leaders Mentor.

Managers Challenge; Leaders Inspire.
Managers Solve Problems they live with; Leaders Choose what Problems they live with.

Managers Manage Change; Leaders are the Change.

While the debate can invariably go on for ever, the fact is leaders inspire change in the minds and lives of their team. Leaders make people believe in the cause and galvanize them to march towards the cause, no matter how grave or great that could be!

As they say, leaders are not made; they are born. It has to come from within.

One cannot be a leader because he/she was appointed. He/She should have inherent capabilities of decision making and owning them immaterial of their results! Most importantly, he/she should have ownership towards the followers and understand that each and everyone is unique and has something to offer towards the cause.

Well, in today's corporate world, these may be hard to exhibit and sometimes ones who have these qualities may even be ridiculed, but only by people above them and if you are a leader you will not be judged by people above you but by people who follow you.

Leadership is all about coaching, mentoring, guiding, inspiring, enabling and empowering the next level people and after which I sit in the grand stand enjoying the view of them succeeding! And the grand stand view would simply be very amazing while it is not so easy to get into that!

Be the Leader and be the Change!

- Raj

Hi 2012; Ta Ta 2011!

I know its been a while since I've blogged. It was kind of a planned absence and forced upon myself. So here I'm and am back ;).

I thought of penning down what every human being on this earth would got out of 2011 and I fairly sense that it would remain the same for every year. An honestly, it was my first post on FB this year! Just sharing it here.

Enjoy reading.

- Raj

Thanks 2011.

As Always, Life - you were wonderful,

throwing me challenges so I could learn,

giving me problems so I remain vigilant,

putting me in difficult situations so I remain to value people,

and sometimes giving me success so I remain afloat!

There were,

joy even out of pains,

cheer even out of failures,

happiness even out of challenges,

success out of no where!

I know am more a better person than what I was on 1st January, 2011. I prevailed with the support of every individual who knew me!

Welcome 2012. I'll learn and I'll prevail. This is not arrogance, but something born out of self-assurance ;). And I really do not have a choice too!

And I start my year with a clean slate so successes of the past are not counted, but memories of them will!

Happy New year to everyone! May the New Year, bring in a lot of joy, cheer, happiness, success, growth, peace and harmony into our lives.

- A normal Human Being