New Blog: B+T!

I will soon be starting a new blog, focusing mainly on business & technology - not on their marriage or divorce, but on how tightly they are coupled in this digital world and how important it is for the 21st century leaders to understand this stuff...

I am a novice myself in this field - but I shall share what i know and let's learn together in this fascinating sphere!

However, I will continue to write this current blog with the same objective of sharing on what i am learning from life - sort of diary & perspective sharing!

tata...Satish

P.S: Any suggestions to name the new blog???

'Pappa'hood

hmm...on a funny note, when people can derive tollywood, bollywood from hollywood - I didn't think it was strange to draw 'pappa hood' from fatherhood..!

What better way to exert myself from hibernation than writing about fatherhood? I know it is an unusual topic considering what I've been writing all along, but if a man of Obama's stature is writing and talking about it - then it must deserve its proper due! Also, it gives me a chance to share something I've never experienced before.

Life changes completely when you've a kid - it's more about him & less about you; Are the diapers changed regularly - is he crying too loud - is the baby getting enough sleep & care - these and many more zillion questions incessantly spin in your mind. You'll hardly feel if you are hungry, you aren't passionate enough to go to a ball game, no time for movies nor for any outside activities - 24 hrs a day were never enough, but more so now; Suddenly, all that what you've been valuing take a back seat - and all you care now is to see the teeth-less smile of your boy!

While it is important to cherish your precious lil' one, you shouldn't ignore how you are shaping up. Any fool can give birth, but it takes a lot more to become a good father. I am not an expert at it but i know fatherhood is an enormous & enriching responsibility. Nature takes its course and you, as a father, is responsible for both his nature and nurture. You are literally on a 24 hour stage show for the boy - every thing you do, every thought you think - every behavioral aspect will be picked up by your boy. Do you want to be a hero or something else? Your choice! Nothing comes from corn, but corn. So never ignore your own self-development because you must be what you want your boy to be!

One thing I can never understand is this feeling that "You'll do "ANYTHING" for your boy" - when i say "anything", I mean "ANYTHING".

tata..Satish

Cross-collaborations

I am yet to see a company or a family or a group where perfect collaboration happens amongst teams or functions or departments. Most of the thoughts or ideas I came across in various reputed journals look very good on paper but have never seen those implemented in practice. My experience might be too limited to conclude that perfect cross collaborations don't happen - but I would be delighted to be proved wrong.

Incentives that encourage cross-collaboration should probably do the trick - but unless they are designed and communicated right, the incentive effect might even boomerang. People are so focussed in silos and aim at optimization of whatever they do - someone has to think a level above to ensure we not only do things right but prioritize on doing right things! And, that someone has to be leader of the group or family or business unit or company.

Ensuring effective cross-collaboration is the most important job of a leader that can never be delegated.

tata...Satish

Practice without Preaching!

ALWAYS, don't expect someone to take your advice and ignore your example.

You are what you are and you can't expect to change it by speaking grand words or talking about great people. The best way to influence and inspire your team or coterie in business or in family setting is "by being the way you want your folks to be". Setting an example or being a role model to your kids is the best way to impart the best in your kids. Actions are indeed more deafening than words!

Ok, now how to set the right example? At every instant or every cross road in life, you will know what's the right path to take - but, you also know it's damn hard compared to the other three easy routes. You are what you are based on the path you choose at such cross roads!

Right and wrong might vary from person to person and to a large extent depends on her dreams and goals. But, a person will always know in his pure conscience what is right or wrong. So, knowing what is right or wrong is the easy part - doing right is what makes or breaks a man!

Therefore, when you practice - you don't have to preach.

Au revoir,
Satish

P.S: Just a clarification - I don't write blogs to inspire my readers - I write because i love writing and would always like to remind myself of what's really cool in my life?

D B T B A B (Pursuit of Righteousness)

.. the above funny acronym translates to "Dream Big, Think Big, Act Big": We've heard company's tag lines: "Just Do It"; "Dare to Dream"; "Think Different" etc, etc - highlighting only one aspect, but it is necessary to have all three (dreaming, thinking, & acting) in unison to achieve personal mastery or career excellence or entrepreneurial contentment.

However, I wouldn't talk about any of the three in this post but explore something that triggers and sustains the above three in an individual. At the risk of being perceived as spiritual philosopher, I venture to say that your "fundamental core" determines your readiness to take a giant leap to dream, think, and act big in perfect harmony with your soul. Your core needs to be transformed and aligned with your original SOURCE to act as a foundation or platform on which the above three can be launched with lightning speed.

What do I mean by such core transformation? There is nothing inherently either good or bad, but everyone understands what's right or wrong in any situation; In some instances it is easy to do the right thing but in some it's damn difficult to unshackle your old habits to do the right thing or you need to be immensely brave to do the right thing or you must be crazy or so others think... Understanding your boundaries, setting the ground rules, and sticking your neck to follow those - no matter what - brings in that transformation.

I am not sure if I am making sense - but what I would like to tell is that nothing happens in your life unless you are ready; You can't blame anyone for what's happening or what's not happening in your life except may be yourself. Your focus should be on being best, doing best, and getting "future" ready!

tata...Satish

Big Sudden Impact/Surprise

..i am not talking about incremental changes or satisfying the souls who constantly chant "Change is good"...neither am i talking about "Change, we believe in" slogans. Rather, I am wondering how we deal with something so sudden, so big, and so pleasant or unpleasant! Even pleasant surprises take a toll on you, more so when you aren't well prepared. I believe the stress to be doubly more if the impact is negative. So, how do we deal with such volcanoes?

First, don't resist! This normally isn't difficult if the impact is pleasant - but even so, it is important to go with the flow - completely focussed and utmostly present. Several important things will take a back seat - temporarily - it is ok, because you can't do everything every time as you've limited resources, energy, and time.

Second, re-plan and re-visit your goals under the light of new change; Don't beat yourself for missing few goals and start dealing with change (either enjoying the change or taking actions to overcome and achieve).

Third, update your important stakeholders of the new change happened in your life so that they align their expectations on you wth the ground realities.

More importantly, allow yourself some time to reflect, react, and re-energize.

tata..Satish

Plan for the best, Prepare for the worst...!

I would like to reflect on the common man's perspective of what these 'tough times' really mean? We are hearing all sort of non-sense, hell-breaking-loose stuff all over - we've every right to feel being victimized by happenings around for no fault of us; Suddenly, the quotes such as 'save for the rainy day';'Tougher gets going, when the going gets tough' seem to make lotta sense. What's happening right now is a correction cycle and such cycles are common in all phases of life to restore the vitality and cull out indisciplines/inefficiencies.

However, layoffs don't necessarily mean 'laying off' inefficient people - it could be reorganizing, repatterning the companies for next phase with best available folks in best available slots. The individuals should reflect and focus on their strengths to find a right position for themselves.
It is easier said than done - but one must always be cognizant of their SWOT matrix to adapt to these 'tough' changes. There is a funny saying on the difference between 'recession' and 'depression' , which actually reflects the human psychology: "Recession is when your neighbour loses the job and depression is when you lose the job"

Never lose your hunger and dreams - no matter what - its like losing your soul; You too can reflect, regroup, and reenergize - just like the way the companies are doing: culling out inefficiencies and building the character!

Plan for the best, Prepare for the worst!
Tata...Satish