What is Growth?

The life of a growth leader facing unachievable targets and lacking support can be incredibly challenging. They might find themselves constantly under pressure to deliver results without the necessary resources or guidance. It can feel like pushing a boulder uphill with no end in sight. They may experience burnout, frustration, and a sense of helplessness as they try to meet expectations that seem impossible to fulfill. Without support, their efforts may feel futile, and their morale could plummet. It's a tough position to be in, requiring resilience, creativity, and perhaps a reevaluation of priorities.

Workplace Rumblings

Reflecting on a recent offsite experience where I expected inspiration but encountered frustration. Unreachable targets, lack of support from leadership, and meaningless commitments overshadowed the opportunity for growth. Let's redefine our approach, focusing on achievable goals and genuine support to foster a culture of success. #Leadership #WorkCulture #MeaningfulCommitments

New Found Status…

In 1983, when the whole India was celebrating world-cup win, my parents brought me into this world. And now when India celebrates another world-cup albeit after 28 years, I too am celebrating the entry of Jr. into my life. Yes! We had baby girl on 7th August. And there is another coincidence – all 3 (me, wife n the kid) were born on Sunday. In typical Indian style, all the family members went on treasure hunting as seen on cowboy Hollywood flicks like Indian Jones, McKenna’s Gold. Only difference is here the treasure is not gold but features and behavioral characteristics. Though not concluded, we all agreed that she looks like her father predominantly. After the usual distribution of sweets and financial tips in hospital, the mom and kid were brought to home. One noticeable difference for my wife was days became longer and nights became shorter. Since the kid was born in noon, her day and night cycles are kind of weird though it is expected of any new born and that’s the best part of having a kid in your life. The experience gets more adrenalin pumping when you carry the baby in your arms. A sense of pride and responsibility descends upon you and you will be left with awe and surprise after looking at the baby sleeping warmly in your arms. Well somebody a few months back asked me about proudest moment of my life. Whatever they were until now faded before this moment. During the first ride to the pediatrician for the first dose of vaccinations, the car got the sticker – “Baby on Board” and the driver got the sense to drive sensibly. Wonder who the driver is – that’s me. And when you reach the hospital, sitting along with many parents and kids, a mischievous idea surely strikes– you tend to compare your kid with others always ending up with rating your kid as the best in all. Probably every parent goes through this during various stages of his kid’s life though at variable levels. Life has started to pick up the pace like a ODI cricket match where you start scoring more aggressively from a particular over. Probably that over just started in my life. 10 years from now, you would realize the number of events that have happened in life.
By the time I am penning this blog; my mind is busy thinking of names for the kid. It’s going to be another round table conference in the life to finalize the name only to change it at least a couple of more times before finalizing it. It happened with me and is bound to happen with my kid as well. And when christening, the family tradition (aka parampara) has to be considered. Then its going to be wait for accomplishment of milestones. These include moments like sleeping on stomach, crawling, sitting, standing, walking and uttering of words like amma/ma. Each will be a big reason to celebrate and we are planning to capture every moment using photos and entries in baby book. The first teeth, tonsuring of head and piercing of ears shall complete the list for the first year. I guess I shall stop here to enjoy the moment before thinking too far.

New Mobile Connection – Nightmare

Without getting into details, I had to change my mobile number twice in the last 6 months. The primary reason for this change was rather silly as Maharashtra has two mobile circles and to avoid roaming, I had to change the numbers. Not long ago, all of us believed how tedious job it was to update all your friends about your new number. But with the advent of social networking sites, cheap SMS rates, email address to everybody, the job of updating your friends has become very easy. By now, some of you might be wondering where‘s the “nightmare” part in this. So let’s start by going a step ahead and talk about all other places where you want to update.
1. Bank accounts - In spite of having net banking, phone banking and mobile banking facilities, a well known bank still wants you to come down to their bank and submit a application form to update. And then they take 7 days to update. Banks – Are you listening? Please automate the systems
2. MF Investments– Should I give a written application to every fund I invest in to get my number updates? Kidding? Yes, there might be a system for updating your KYC. But is it for mobile number updating also? Nobody knows. Everybody wants me to visit their fund management house and submit a written application. Thank god, at least there are offices in my current city.
3. Loan accounts – When your loan account holder calls to update his number, why can’t you do it by checking the basic credentials. No doubt there are so many defaulters who simply change their contact details and never bother to inform the bank.
4. DTH – I believe changing the Registered Mobile Number (RMN) should serve the purpose here.
5. Motor Insurance – All this while I was relying on service center guys to call me and remind me when my car insurance was due for renewal. I guess I will have to put a reminder to track it manually.

When UID plan was planned, Mr. Kishore Biyani suggested to Mr. Nandan Nilekani using mobile number as the UID number. Nandan refused and said the UID shall be a combination of alpha-numeric and special characters. Whatever be the reason, the mobile connections and the classification of circles are beyond logic. Agreed that MNP has been rolled out amidst huge hype, but what’s the use if it is confined to only a circle. Should we wait for another 3-4 years to see it being rolled across circles?

Somebody told me that in Maharashtra, you have a place where women can update their name post marriage and the same would be updated in all the records. If this true, why can’t there be such a system for mobile connections also. I take a new connection and then I update this place and all my bank accounts, investments, loans are updated. Rest of them upon intimation from me can then check with this place and update their records. Cmon India, we design processes/tools for the west. When are we going to set our houses right?

New is not always better!

In a sequel to my earlier blog, all I can say is that new is not always better. I will keep the creative juices flowing and reserve a special update to describe my experiences and the choices I have made...

New year....New city...New home...New company....New job...New boss.....

I guess the list of “New”s ends there for now.

After cooling my legs in my first job and getting over with “first job blues”, I decided to venture out and took up an assignment with a rather unusual company. The word “unusual” signifies only the change in the industry and the LOB.

With many questions, perceptions and aspirations I joined my current organization. The experience so far (sine 03-Jan) has been pleasantly surprising. I am looking forward to carry on the same feeling with vigor and enthusiasm. Also, working in my new job in Mumbai has been very uncharacteristic of living and working in Mumbai. The entire credit for this goes to my organization. B'coz, this is unarguably the only big company in the country which provides residential facilities to its employees and this facility is superior to many other private residential societies in the city. And the mere fact that this facility is right across your place of work, you can literally walk to work. Probably I will be laughed at during some point in my life in the years ahead for not traveled in the local train in spite of staying in Mumbai.

A year back, I would have never imagined that my second job would be in a hard core manufacturing company. But that's how the life is with so many surprises. I have to be honest here since I made the decision of changing job pretty quickly to ensure my initial impression of the organization doesn't change. This impression was formed during the interview. I hope am not wrong with my perceptions....

I am consciously not mentioning anything about my organization as my division head has said the following things during our formal interaction with him...

“Don't be judgmental initially since you have joined here from another company. Every thing here is well thought of here by people who have been in the business in the decades”...

Now I realize that its true. When you step aside and start thinking about anything here, you shall understand the logic and this is the very reason why I am avoiding penning down my impressions/thoughts/perceptions about this organization.

This new job has exposed me to express way and I have traveled on it already many times enjoying every KM of it. The drive now has become more of psychological drive where you keep to yourself small milestones to cross which makes the entire drive enjoyable and forgetful to avoid any stress.

You will have to love this city to enjoy it and that's what I am doing it currently. The life has suddenly become a sprint from a marathon in Pune. Waking early in the morning and rushing to office and come back early in the evening. The latter part is the most interesting and enjoyable aspect of my current job.

I am here trying to re-invent myself and enjoy every minute of it. Wish I have all the luck going in my way...

Winning is Everything……Definitely not Participation….

Ever since our childhood days, I am sure every one of us were encouraged that “Participation is everything and not winning”. Teacher, friends and parents have always used these words to pacify the situation whenever there is a difference between friends, classmates and siblings. But I for one never understood the logic behind such a stand. It is agreed that these words are very soothing to the majority because everybody can’t win in the same competition. I always felt how bad it would be for the winner who is instantly deprived of the elation the winner feels. Though I was never an activist in my life, I always wished if there is anybody who can stand up for all the winners in this world and yell at the top of their voice that “Winning is Everything”. A recent TV talk show has 2 take-aways. The first one has fulfilled my wish where as the second one was a completely pragmatic observation.

1. It’s always the losers who believe and say that “Winning is not everything and participation is more important”.
2. It’s usually either the rich or a complete loser who continuously brag that “Money is not the only important thing in life”.

How many of us would really pardon him if MS Dhoni says the same about world cup?

I guess it’s time for winners to completely stand up and take the entire credit even if it hurts the majority/losers. When everybody talks about India being a super power, it has to be imbibed in its culture. I was badly disappointed when many measures were initiated to de-stress the students by replacing ranks with grades in schools. I strongly believe that students should be taught about how to handle the pressure rather than completely removing the pressure.

So Winners…Next time make sure you take a bow and enjoy the moment…