Good Job is a Harmful Word

Good Job is a Harmful Word

Good Job is a Harmful Word

Recently watched  a movie “Whiplash”. Movie revolves around a student and his abusive teacher. Like the main character of the movie, “Andrew”, who wanted to be the best drummer, there are many around us, who just want themselves to be “The Best”. They don’t want to settle for something less. And for that, they are ready to sacrifice anything, which includes their personal and family life.

The question is, as a leader, coach, manager do we have that “eye” to spot that raw talent? Do we have those skills to transform that individual to his desired greatness? Do we as coach or mentor have “at least” 5% of skills like Ramakant Achrekar to train Sachin Tendulkar? Do we “really understand” what Chanakya has done to transform raw kid like Chandragupta to that greatness level. These could be extreme examples, but still thought provoking for me as a coach/ mentor/ trainer/ manager. It made me thinking, if I don’t those skills, am I ready to loose him/her to another mentor or organization, on purpose?

One example I recollect. One fresh graduate was very interested in joining Army in India. He tried a lot, but every time he failed. On social pressure, he kept doing the job in hand. But, he never progressed on the corporate ladder in that organization, as his superiors didn’t understand his true worth. He struggled, struggled and struggled. Though he regretted, he couldn’t join Army, he used to say, I’ll use all those strategies and techniques Army uses while doing the job. His bosses, of course, wanted him to do the work they are accustomed to, under their supervision, as they dictate.

After many years of frustration, he left the job and joined another organization. His way of working didn’t change, but now he was in an environment where he could only excel using his acquired skills. And that’s what happened. He became Director of that company within a few years.

Like the student Andrew in the movie, he believed in his own potential and when the platform was right, just threw all burdens, allegations away and performed to his best. He got the result he was looking for.

Again, the point is, how many (including you & me) can actually stick to their beliefs. If yes, what do they have to sacrifice? How much price they have to pay? And where will they find that “Master”, who will guide them? How? Movie shows an abusive teacher who wants just the best from each of his students, no matter what. Can today’s generation withstand that pressure?

In ancient days, students used to go in a search of “Right Guru” who can extract the best from his chosen discipline. Are we searching for that Guru in our corporate life?

Movie had a scene, where teacher says to student … “Good Job” is a harmful word. How many times, do we use it for others, probably everyday, just to motivate an individual. In the process, are we restricting him to strive for his true potential ?

Think about it !!!

Curious Case of Preparation

Curious Case of Preparation

Curious Case of Preparation

In December 22, I attended Project Management South Asia Conference organized by PMI. On the 2nd day, there was a 𝘗𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘭 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘕𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘬𝘢 𝘚𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘳 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘬𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘢 – 𝘊𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘮𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘴. Navika Sagar Parikrama was a project wherein a team of women officers of the Indian Navy circumnavigated the globe on an Indian-built sailboat INSV “Tarini”. It was a very proud moment to listen to experiences shared by all those officers.

However, one thing that stuck with me during the discussion was about “𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻”. We all know importance of preparation, of course, but I got a different meaning all together. So far, proper planning and then perfect execution is what I am following. But, as I checked more & more references, I realized, Preparation phase is also the most important part, to make any project successful.

We can plan to the last detail, and then start executing as per plan, however, what if team members are new, what if that project is the first of its kind & no one has done before, what if we have missed certain key aspects during the planning which will impact the execution ?

Preparation phase should come between planning & execution. You may call it rehearsal of execution. Look at some examples:

  • Some of the members of Tarini mission were not expert swimmers. They can plan the route and start executing, but in difficult situation, swimming skills was the must to survive. They prepared for those events.
  • We know the quote “𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘣𝘢𝘵.” You may replace the word “training” by “preparation” here.
  • In defense academy of any country, it’s always said … War is 99% preparation and 1% execution.
  • Chankaya’s “Game Theory” says “𝘒𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭. 𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯”. Again, replace the word “practice” by “prepare”.
  • All of us wrote multiple study plans during college days, and then given exam. But what made us successful is how well we prepared.
  • All these learnings, point out to one thing. “Preparation” is the key phase, which should fall between planning and execution.

My tribute to Tarini team once again, for making all Indians proud & giving new meaning of word “Preparation” for me.