LEAD TO LAST

There is a lot of quest amongst

    to reach the destination FAR most

There is this killing instinct to succeed

    everyone wants to take control, everyone wants to LEAD

Leading is not a simple task

    it is neither an act of a dumb mock

It is not the thorne which the superiors proclaim

    or any damn fool can claim

It is not the game of promoting his likes

    so that he can enjoy things of his choice

But it is about stating the things that are RIGHT

    inspite of making his position TIGHT

People do follow but for obligation

    it is mere fear of superiors position

Leaders do feel that people show respect

    but they know well how quickly does this fade

It is the game that should be played without EGO

    but most of the times that is where leaders GO

One who becomes crisis for others to cherish his boon

    he will perish from the heart very soon!!

Get the BUT out of the way!

If you believe that ‘Success’ is only the end result, then the focus should be to avoid the ‘Failures’ and one needs to constantly work towards the same –day in & day out.

Easier said than done, isn't it?
So the million dollar questions is how do we prevent failures - HOW?
For that we first need to understand what does 'Failure' actually mean. In simplest terms 'Failure' can be 'Unable to meet the set expectations' - expectations can be set personally or by others, it is mostly mutual. The parties involved in the process owns the responsibility. BUT to start with most of us are unwilling to accept this simple fact that 'Failure == Unable to meet the set expectations', this includes seniors like us as well.

Let me quickly elaborate my point about how unwilling we are, for instance I expect a 30% hike (I do not know what could help me achieve the same, hence I don't know what I have delivered is it sufficient, hence I really don't know), but still I expect - and when I don't get the said increment then I do not call it as a 'Failure', but end up suggesting that 'The boss does not favor me, or my work is not appreciated by my seniors, or the world is unfair to me or it is my bad luck or something like that'.
Hmmm, I hear you BUT still am not willing to accept the fact, though at grass root level it sounds like it is my 'Failure'.


OK, let us move on, How many times we have felt that the 'Project timelines are very stringent', and how many of us have said that during the project closure meetings?
I hear most of us acknowledge and agree, good! This is something which is commonly heard statement right from project managers, leads and even freshers.
So, how many of us have raised the alarm much earlier in the game - anybody, anyone? Oh! I guess it is a organization policy that we can speak only during project closure meetings - is it?
Now I  see lot of unhappy faces so let me make this quick - Do you catch cough/cold and fever all of a sudden, NO, our body gives us constant signals about the same and then finally we catch cough/cold and fever. The simple fact is that most of us are ignorant about these signals until we fall flat.

Good, so far we seem to agree on the end result, BUT not necessarily with the suggested cause. No problem!


Let us give another try...How many times we end up slogging or putting up late hours or even weekends during the end stages of the project or release?
Oh, I see most of us have faced the slog overs. Interestingly the cricket rules have changed and there is concept of power play at the beginning of the match, then there is batting power play which can be taken at will.
NOW how many of us, consciously make an effort to opt for power play at the beginning of the project and then somewhere down the line take the batting power play, depending upon the situation of the game rather than waiting for the slog overs? I hope we all will agree that like cricket in a project we always chase, they chase the score we chase the timeline.
Hmmm, Looks like the game is evolving continuously BUT we seem to be determined to remain unchanged!

Finally here is a simple math, let us say we have a target of 160 runs, in 20 overs, so we would be chasing at a run rate of 8 per over. Now if we chase at 9 runs per over then we would finish the match in 17.7 overs and if we chase at 10 runs per over then we would finish the match in mere 16 overs.
Hmmm, BUT we deal with a DEVIL called project, and then there are change requests, and our managers or client expect us to deliver within the same time frame and then there could be personal leaves as well.
OK got it, but the fact regarding change request, personal leaves with combination of bad managers and clients is there since ages, as good as tradition. I guess we can all agree on this one.

Now let us ASK ourselves how smart it is to say 'I got wet because it rained' v/s 'I got wet because I forgot my umbrella'. Would it be smart to, start chasing at a run rate of 10, so even if couple of wicket falls down, we would still get sufficient time to recover!

BUT, Would this approach guarantee success?
So very thoughtful, Well the approach would atleast give a chance (probability) of not losing - off course we would really need to BAT sensibly to actually reach the target!

Hmmm, I see the point...BUT.
OK, 'Ignorance is BLISS' - just think if you are OK with the cost?
So let us simply get our BUT out of the way!
Next time, make sure to check the sky (forecast) before we set out from our house, or atleast stop blaming the rain!

It is your success anyway

‘Success’ is fundamental to all and most of us trying to aim for success often end up on the other side, meaning not actually achieving what we initially set ourselves for!

Throughout the series I had tried to project most of the so called ‘unhealthy’ aspects of the game, as perceived by me. Many of you might disagree and could debate on the same. Actually most of the time the battle we play is between ‘me’ v/s ‘the activity’ – and the end result is determined by who wins the race ‘me’ or ‘the activity’.

There are quite a few who has asked me what does Success really mean to me. So here I like to put forth, what Success means to me

·         Need to sleep well – It is ironical if I suggest ‘I live my day to sleep’ but that is the fact. I simply cannot sleep if some threads are running in the background. However I sleep like a dead wood when I put all the threads to sleep. I can sleep for any period from 4 hours to 12+ hours – there is no waking me up, and both extremes are equally sufficient for me. So if I can manage to gather peaceful sleep most of the days, then I consider it as my success.

·         Earn self respect – Now this is one aspect that you cannot beg, borrow or steal – it has to come from within. When you do something really good, you sense it, you feel it – everything else is an after effect.  For me to take pride, I really need to feel associated with the cause and thus the end result.  One important note, my contribution must be substantial to the entire cause – everything else is part and parcel of the game. At the end of the day something from within needs to tell me – ‘Now that’s what I call a performance’. The last thing I would want is to sit back trying to figure out ‘Did I actually contribute and was it sufficient?’ –I rather not be part of that journey where I sit on the fence.

·         Leave the signature behind –There is a lot of difference, though only subtle, between delivering end results and quality end results – meeting and beating expectations. To me quality end result is something that is liked by the end user or the receiving party (who ever it might be), effort desired for changes are not more than 25% of the time you took to develop the initial functionality, and I do not have to revisit the same again and again – low maintenance.

In simple words – something that gives high efficiency, low fuel consumption and zero maintenance OR High power, terrific pickup and superb control. No matter what I do, how big or small, I like to leave my signature behind.

·         Measurable items achieved – producing demonstrable end results. The most important part though is trying to figure out what should be achieved, what really would make sense, it should be more than your normal capacity and finally we must stick to it. Oh, one more thing, I am talking about your plan, your lead/seniors would allocate the task list that is desired for the project any which ways – this is over and above.

I have seen people blabber, generate self-hype and finally are seen lost within themselves. My brother calls this phenomenon as ‘flavor of the month’. I am personally not against ideas but like to stick with it only when I am completely convinced or simply scrap it. Holding on to something until you find something new does not make any sense – I can only correlate this with small kids, the moment they see a new toy they throw away the old one, for kids that can be OK!  

·         Continuous learning – means trying to keep me out of my comfort zone. I have seen many people suggest that they are bored with the technology and crib that they are not doing anything new and like to do something different. In 18 years I have worked on almost anything that is thrown at me, and frankly speaking I have not seen constructs beyond IF – THEN – ELSE, FOR, WHILE, SWITCH (big brother of IF), TRY – CATCH – THROW. If anyone has seen anything different, please do let me know and I would be keen to make my hands dirty.

To me, fun is in solving the problem, the means I use to solve the same and how fast I can achieve the end result. I have seen so many frameworks giving birth and so many crazy people running after those, but I have not heard a single soul say: By using ABC has saved my X% of time and thus I am now able to produce Y% more – may be because they are shy. For me it is vital to have my plate full of challenges (technical or business), makes me feel very happy as I see all of these as opportunities to learn, grow, and excel.

·         Last but not the least, to me all that ends well must have gone well – Bums and bruises on the way is all part and parcel – Owner’s must take the pride, Neighbors are free to envy!

The above is how I see and define ‘Success’. The word ‘Success’ can mean many things to every individual. So one needs to devise what success means to him/her – because it is very personal – It is your success!

However if you believe that ‘Success’ is only the end result, then the focus should be to avoid the ‘failures’ and one needs to constantly work towards the same –day in & day out.

Well this may not guarantee success but could atleast save you from failures!

As a closing statement, I was watching this interview of Dr. Dinesh Keskar, President of Boeing India and VP of Boeing International Trading. I was very excited to hear his funda’s of success which he associates with his core values or value system – amazing thought!

WE – The Einsteiner!!!

If LIFE had to be so smooth and cozy

Roses would NOT be roses and never would have felt so rosy

Great teams would never be born

If battles could be won all alone

FEAR of losing can be painful and worse

Ignoring this simple fact can make matters even terse

Slowly but SURELY things will turn ALL RIGHT

If we TRUST our-selves and hang-on TIGHT

There are teams AND teams that make a LASTING impression

The later brings JOY, as all the pieces GEL and STICK together

The ENGINE is well oiled and performs in PERFECT harmony

That is what we like to see and should (aim to) be

AH! There are critics and critics would always be

We need patience AND our ACTION holds the key

That is the reason when critics shout and start MOCKING

Sachin lets his BAT do the TALKING

If you are here THEN there has to be a reason, TO BE

Unleash every opportunity on hand, let it be FUN - pure discovery

Let us SIMPLY caress every moment with all our HEART

Give our best SHOT and SHOW the world what we have GOT

In any sport they say -

Winning is not AS important – But how well you PLAY the GAME

If we show the right spirit – sooner than later will be CROWNED with FAME

GIVING is a virtue - EARNING is an art

But SHARING is symphony and that is what stands APART!!

-    Enriching Lives

Naughty planets at work!

On one side you read quotes like "Pleasure puts you to sleep and pain wakes you up. If you do not want to suffer, don't go to sleep. You cannot know yourself through bliss alone, for bliss is your very nature." or "Whatever happens, happens to you, by you, through you; you are the creator, enjoyer and destroyer of all you perceive"

Not entirely true (There is something which forces us to think otherwise). You will understand what I mean if you have read about celestial bodies, cosmos and how they impact the behaviour of the person. Some books even suggest that "Things happen! We do nothing, whatever happens is because of some planet/celestial body/cosmos either being happy or angry with us."

I have also heard few other interesting stories like some planets gel well with each other, where as some maintain neutral relationship, while some fight with each other or even demonstrate jealousy - just like us. Some are so powerful that they super impose on some of the weaker planets, pretty much like how the first world nations treat the third world countries! 
It does appear to me that planets are very much capable to make us do quite a few things, some we enjoy while others we don't. Here is a quick sneak preview of different behaviours of these notorious planets. Since the subject is vast and I am not blessed by the right set of planets, it is not possible for me to cover all the scenarios.

For the sake of simplicity, let us consider a scenario that there is a new project which is obviously very important, has quite a few challenges and needs to be delivered in a very aggressive time frame. A brief is presented to all and now it is time to decide who is going to be a part of the same! A tentative plan, and task break down is also provided a week ago and now each one is called to hear if they like to volunteer.

Here is how some of the naughty planets demonstrate their 'Art of leaving'. The fun is always in the language they use, what is been said and of course rest everything is indicated without saying (in between the lines).

　

Tactful planets (The wow planets)
This is how they are likely to start the conversation, pretty much on their own and are full of 'wow' moments. This is fantastic, who got this project for us? Some answer...

Oh wow, he is really very sharp and does bring lot of work - mostly in unheard technologies. BTW I went through the plan and the idea is quite brilliant, looks very challenging. Is the client a startup or a settled company? Last time we worked on a even more challenging project and it was pulled off after 4 months, all our efforts/weekends were wasted. Something like this wont happen this time na?...Do we have people with the skillset - I don't think we have people who has worked on similar stuff earlier - do we? Are you planning to provide some training or some thing like that. Some answer...

Hmmm, We should also be having some rewards after completion of the project? Some answer...

Great man, so do we have the team already identified for this? Now-a-days I really don't get a chance to catch up with other folks, I am so badly tied up these days. But do let me know if you need any help. Thanks - Bye.

　

Humble planets (Collaborative decision makers)
This is how they are likely to start the conversation, needs some initial provoking to get them going.
This really seems to be a very big and complex project. Since it is mandated by top management must be very important as well. Actually, if you see, most of the technologies also seems to be new and I have not dealt with something like this before. What do you think, should I be doing this project, do you think I would be able to contribute? I really want to do this as it looks interesting, but I am not able to decide. The delivery dates look quite impossible. So, is there any chance that the delivery dates could be extended? Some answer...

No, the dates cannot be extended, ok, so we would need more resources - isn't it? Some answer...

I think we need to come up with a more detailed plan, just to ensure that we don't mess up. I also hope that the client is going to provide us with a detailed requirement specifications with acceptance criteria. I think one would need atleast 3-4 weeks time to come up to speed on the technologies, would that be OK? Could some additional training/crash course be organized? - would also help.

It is not a straight forward job as it looks, there are many complications as I understand. If you feel and insist then I would not mind being part of this project. Ah and one more thing, I have planned for a 10 days vacation early next month, so I would not be present during those days. I am taking this vacation after such a long time and have also got the tickets etc booked - I really need this break. Let me know if you think I should be IN. Thanks - Bye.

　

Risk free planets (People oriented)
This is how they are likely to start the conversation, I mean they don't enter the conversation, one has to drag them into it.
This looks ok, I have gone through the plan but not in detail, but I have heard that this is very interesting and really huge. Is it really very complex and does it have very stringent time lines? Some answer...

Ok, no problem. So would we be required to stay late - I mean are we expected to put more hours - I mean almost every day. You know some times it can be ok, but always could be very difficult. I assume that dinner/some food would be arranged for us. (Would we be able to order what we like?) Some pause some more thinking...Would we be required to work even during weekends - even on Sundays?

The answer "Depends. We do not expect the team to work over all the weekends but if there is a need, then yes"

Some more pause...Working on all the weekends would be too much. We should get atleast some weekends off! In the last project we were called for two weekends. Would we be getting compensatory off and over time for the same? Ok, If it gets really late, would there be a drop facility. Would it at least be ok if we come late the next day?

Reverse question "Any thing else?"

Actually, I just realized that this project seems to be in A technology. I really want to make my career in Z technology. No that is fine, I don't mind working on any technology, but would the technology switch create any problems?

Also, Mr. XYZ, had asked me if I would like to work on Project-X, which is in Z technology. The Project-X is not confirmed as yet, but would you check with Mr. XYZ? Thanks.

　

Smart planets
Well actually they avoid being part of any responsibility/ownership taking conversations. These planets simply ignore the message/email and pretend that they do not know anything. They avoid indulging in any discussion about the topic and try to keep away. On the day of discussion, they suddenly feel sick or are out of town for some urgent work and don't show up in the office. Net result they avoid the discussion itself.

At a later point of time, they ensure that they provoke others where they can express their sadness and perhaps could also give a 5 minutes pep talk on how they would have loved to be working with the members, how great fun it would have been and how they have missed a big opportunity. They do not forget to congratulate everyone who is now part of the project, and through out the life time of the project they continue to curse their bad luck. These planets are often seen at the project end parties, interestingly they manage to get invited - The reason why they are smart. Further more they enjoy the party even more than the people who went through the process. As a thank you note, these planets ensure to convey that they would have really loved to be part of this challenging project, and next time others should simply consider them as IN.

　

Other planets (The naive ones)
There are some planets like Mercury, Mars, Sun, Uranus and Jupiter who can act differently - who likes challenges, rational. If they believe that it might not be possible for them to contribute, they simply suggest likewise - period, so sometimes can also come across as rude. Otherwise they "Stay hungry - Stay foolish", these naive planets forces us through pain, sleepless nights, and makes us believe that
"The idea of responsibility is in your mind. You think there must be somebody responsible for all that happens. There is no reality in ideas - It is all day-dreaming. The fact is that without you, and your actions nothing would come into being." So very naive, isn't it?

　

Finally, I would like to suggest that all that you have read until now is an act of some naughty, mischievous planets and I have nothing to do with it. 
It just happened - Truly and sincerely!!!