I was reading a Perry Mason on Sunday. I read the last one a couple of years back and the first one was many moons ago. It was like meeting a friend, the first time and over the next few cases, we became pals and by the time I was through with the 10th case we were thick friends. This friendship grew over the years and I was as thrilled to revisit the books as I would be to meet my best friend. (She stays so far away! Seven seas separate us and we rarely meet OR even talk these days. But when we meet the years melt away within seconds. Its just a few days, by the way for us to meet, cause she is coming home... la..la..la..) This time around it was just the same. I find the gutsy lawyer to be so real. The narrative is like a perfect conversation. It’s like listening to a real person tell his daily experiences. That’s what I like the best!
Then there is the inimitable Jeeves with his adorable master Bertie. The two of them together have never ever stood me up. Sure shot “pick me up” jodi. Its so rare to find a person who will let you into his life the way Bertie does. And, boy do I enjoy transporting myself back to his idyllic world. Whether it is Blandings, London or at Aunt Gertrude's place, I feel at home!
In recent times, Harry has caught my attention. It’s like watching a young boy come of age and triumph over all the insecurities, injustice and what not. The narrative is completely riveting. Potter books have cast me in the role of a well-wisher, who is watching over from afar, elderly and distant. Yet living the emotions of a 10 year old and progressing with him through his teens, living his fears and experiencing his joys. Saddened by his failures, frustrated due to his foolhardiness, taking pride in his success! I got another world to live in…
There are others who keep popping in and out from the historicals! The dashing and handsome Count and the dark and mysterious Duke are ever so gallant and obliging. That is pure fantasy and fun…
And then there are Poirot and Holmes! My best friends! Thrilling personalities and ohh so clever ;) … You must meet them sometime…..
Wednesday 7 November, 2007
Wednesday 31 October, 2007
Backseat driver
Accha kiya ya bura kiya? I guess , bura kiya cause I am feeling baaaaadddd. But there is always a down side to all good things. It's good to fail once in a while. Why??? Tabhi toh success ki aihmiyat pata chalti hai.
Am I solely responsible for this "failure"? Maybe. Wrong judgement. Could be...Not being in sync with the "leader"? Definetly...
I am thinking, why is it essential for me to find reasons for a project gone wrong. In my mind I know that it has to do with only one person. It has to do with being unable to deal with mediocrity. It has to do with me wanting to be in the driving seat, without a backseat driver…
But why am I feeling baaaaadddd about taking a call? I am being selfish, that's why! Ayn Rand says its good to be selfish. But she doesn't say what to do with emotional attachements that make you feel guilty...
Brings me to another question. Is it possible to do mentoring and guiding without being involved? What relationship should a mentor and mentee have? All my pride at being able to handle varied set of people is in vain, I have realized. In reality, I am only handling myself and my own emotions. I cannot handle all kinds of people. Lots to learn! I am now realizing, how much more I need to learn about influencing skills, patience and self-appreciation. I must acknowledge here that I have also decided to call it quits , cause there have been zero positive strokes since the project started. And there were none after asking for them... shameless , in Indian context. In our society, one should never ask for compliments... "I thought you knew that you are good OR that you are on right track OR that I love you. Isn't it obvious that i am not correcting you n it means you are ok?... blah... blah.... blah"
Shortcut mein bolega toh, backseat driving just not happening, Bhidu! Not for me at least.... Arre apun ke paas driver ka uniform nahi hai yaar... Aur postman ka toh bilkul hi nahi... That set is extinct and I have no plans to join them....
Am I solely responsible for this "failure"? Maybe. Wrong judgement. Could be...Not being in sync with the "leader"? Definetly...
I am thinking, why is it essential for me to find reasons for a project gone wrong. In my mind I know that it has to do with only one person. It has to do with being unable to deal with mediocrity. It has to do with me wanting to be in the driving seat, without a backseat driver…
But why am I feeling baaaaadddd about taking a call? I am being selfish, that's why! Ayn Rand says its good to be selfish. But she doesn't say what to do with emotional attachements that make you feel guilty...
Brings me to another question. Is it possible to do mentoring and guiding without being involved? What relationship should a mentor and mentee have? All my pride at being able to handle varied set of people is in vain, I have realized. In reality, I am only handling myself and my own emotions. I cannot handle all kinds of people. Lots to learn! I am now realizing, how much more I need to learn about influencing skills, patience and self-appreciation. I must acknowledge here that I have also decided to call it quits , cause there have been zero positive strokes since the project started. And there were none after asking for them... shameless , in Indian context. In our society, one should never ask for compliments... "I thought you knew that you are good OR that you are on right track OR that I love you. Isn't it obvious that i am not correcting you n it means you are ok?... blah... blah.... blah"
Shortcut mein bolega toh, backseat driving just not happening, Bhidu! Not for me at least.... Arre apun ke paas driver ka uniform nahi hai yaar... Aur postman ka toh bilkul hi nahi... That set is extinct and I have no plans to join them....
Monday 29 October, 2007
Asel Maza Hari Tar Deyil Khatlyawari
I have not taken leave of my senses. The title is a saying in Marathi. Simply put it means “If God is there for me He will give me (things) on my bed (platter)! This seems to be the most dearly held value of most of the professionals. I see around me a set of people who have complete clarity of purpose and means. Purpose is lots of money and means is a cushioned job. I recently had a very enlightening experience. I was doing recruitment for vacant spots on my team.
I was amazed to meet the young applicants have a clear idea of salary and perquisites that they were entitled to. I said to myself, “Wow! Aren’t I the lucky one? These guys are positively more dashing than my generation”. I felt half the load get off my shoulder and we touched upon the experience and the competencies grid. This is when the bumpy stretch started. Till then, it was like riding a bike on a freshly done up road. All smooth and clearly marked. The moment we stepped on to skill sets, the ride became bumpy. This is when last held designations became the all important word. Having heard the various responses, I am actually planning to apply for entry into Guinness on behalf of the applicants for creating a record, by describing the nature of their job, responsibilities held and areas of competence in ONE sentence. “madam! I a manager!”, “madam! I bees the supravesor!”, “yes, yes I look after all boys!” AND folks they all want salary in excess of 20 grand, petrol money, cell allowance and anything else that can make the job attractive. “If you give me accommodation in Bandra and Andheri I will join you real fast”….. I have lost it by this time and meekly ask – but what about your current responsibility…. I am looked at as if I have come from alien land…. 2 days is all they need to clear out …. ‘N I have on my hands a set of guys who may not be there 2 days later!
My friend in a similar function with a multi-national company tells me she fares no better!
Having lost hopes in fresh recruitment scenario, I decided to turn to the existing set of people on my team. I worked up a beautiful, selling speech about skill enhancement and taking more responsibility and career growth to make the move spicy enough. My HR man short-listed a set of potentials. Armed with my pearls of wisdom, I settled on the most promising ones and called them for a tête-à-tête. After exchanging all the pleasantries, I decided to get on with the agenda and spelt out the opportunity. The first one, was excited n encouraged me to spell out all the requirements. Then he asks me very cutely, “medam, how much salary?” I was depending on my HR skills to convince him to get into training and eventually get promoted after 3 months. Which meant that raise would happen after 3 months. My star performer walked out, never to return!
The mind boggling part is that they all have either salary slips or offer letter giving them all that they ask for.
I am wondering, whether I need to work on my interviewing skills OR just shut up and hire the guys in an “as is where is” deal…..
My worry is that they do not have faintest clue as to what is expected of a supervisor and how does the role change when one is promoted to a managerial level. Yahan toh hisab simple sa hai. They firmly believe that number of years put in is equal to increased volume is equal to promotion is equal increase in salary. The appeal is simple… “ saab pagar pura nahi padta” … I am not joking. It’s just like the last person on the operations chain. One wonders, how is it that the salary is never enough. I ask them, how about spending as much as you can afford. At the end of this conversation they either think that I am kanjoos or conclude that I am not from this age…
May be I am not, cause I believe in the fact that one should earn their laurels and they believe that effort has nothing to do with what they get. It is all about their needs and wants. My economics teacher taught me long ago that wants are unlimited. No surprises then!
I have lately taken to practicing the song “aamdani atthanni kharcha rupaiyya, …..”
I was amazed to meet the young applicants have a clear idea of salary and perquisites that they were entitled to. I said to myself, “Wow! Aren’t I the lucky one? These guys are positively more dashing than my generation”. I felt half the load get off my shoulder and we touched upon the experience and the competencies grid. This is when the bumpy stretch started. Till then, it was like riding a bike on a freshly done up road. All smooth and clearly marked. The moment we stepped on to skill sets, the ride became bumpy. This is when last held designations became the all important word. Having heard the various responses, I am actually planning to apply for entry into Guinness on behalf of the applicants for creating a record, by describing the nature of their job, responsibilities held and areas of competence in ONE sentence. “madam! I a manager!”, “madam! I bees the supravesor!”, “yes, yes I look after all boys!” AND folks they all want salary in excess of 20 grand, petrol money, cell allowance and anything else that can make the job attractive. “If you give me accommodation in Bandra and Andheri I will join you real fast”….. I have lost it by this time and meekly ask – but what about your current responsibility…. I am looked at as if I have come from alien land…. 2 days is all they need to clear out …. ‘N I have on my hands a set of guys who may not be there 2 days later!
My friend in a similar function with a multi-national company tells me she fares no better!
Having lost hopes in fresh recruitment scenario, I decided to turn to the existing set of people on my team. I worked up a beautiful, selling speech about skill enhancement and taking more responsibility and career growth to make the move spicy enough. My HR man short-listed a set of potentials. Armed with my pearls of wisdom, I settled on the most promising ones and called them for a tête-à-tête. After exchanging all the pleasantries, I decided to get on with the agenda and spelt out the opportunity. The first one, was excited n encouraged me to spell out all the requirements. Then he asks me very cutely, “medam, how much salary?” I was depending on my HR skills to convince him to get into training and eventually get promoted after 3 months. Which meant that raise would happen after 3 months. My star performer walked out, never to return!
The mind boggling part is that they all have either salary slips or offer letter giving them all that they ask for.
I am wondering, whether I need to work on my interviewing skills OR just shut up and hire the guys in an “as is where is” deal…..
My worry is that they do not have faintest clue as to what is expected of a supervisor and how does the role change when one is promoted to a managerial level. Yahan toh hisab simple sa hai. They firmly believe that number of years put in is equal to increased volume is equal to promotion is equal increase in salary. The appeal is simple… “ saab pagar pura nahi padta” … I am not joking. It’s just like the last person on the operations chain. One wonders, how is it that the salary is never enough. I ask them, how about spending as much as you can afford. At the end of this conversation they either think that I am kanjoos or conclude that I am not from this age…
May be I am not, cause I believe in the fact that one should earn their laurels and they believe that effort has nothing to do with what they get. It is all about their needs and wants. My economics teacher taught me long ago that wants are unlimited. No surprises then!
I have lately taken to practicing the song “aamdani atthanni kharcha rupaiyya, …..”
Saturday 13 October, 2007
A matter of choice
Whether to fly or to fall ? Many a people who saw this photo exclaimed " Wow! what a fall?" . I was perplexed, as in my mind it was never about the fall. Instead , i found myself thinking "Wow! what a platform to take off and fly" . But the reactions got me thinking. I questioned myself, why did I not think about the fall? Is it because, I am rejecting the possibility of a fall? If yes, what is the reason for rejection. I realized that , its the negativity of the word fall... Bingo! Has to be just that....
Wait a minute, it cannot be negative, if people say wow! to the fall. I started looking at the word in a new light. That's when I remebered the "Autobiography of a Pearl-Diver" from my 4th standard rapid reading. He would fall from the highest possible point to reach the deepest parts of the ocean. many such falls and dives later he would return with the pearls! Suddenly the photograph had a new meaning for me....
Aha! said my ego... see I can look at both aspects... atta girl, you intelligent soul... you have got it all figured out...
And then my brains decided to throw a googly... so you want to take the plunge and fall deeper into the pit and hope to get some pearls... what about the flight that would take you to beyond the horizon, into new skies....
Brings me back to the same question -- to fly or not to fly...... :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)