Pillars of professionalism

Power, position, pay package, profitability and of course profile………….

“You are what you do” is a famous statement in most widely (wrongly) quoted book, “the art of war”. I have heard this statement mostly from professors teaching competition and marketing strategies. Certainly B-Schools have their environment which compels you to believe and think only on the lines of position, profile, authority, business sense, profitability, pay package, brand name and of course power.

The question we often forget to ask all the while we are in school is that all there is to one’s existence?

Is there no other dimension to our identity? Why we always tend to classify everyone on only these lines, which we are taught to be the pillars of professionalism.

Even these pillars are very tenuous; they exclude some of the very basic and essential characteristics.

This process of commoditizing individuals, in certain set of characteristics, categories and classes is very dangerous. It prevents us from looking at those things which are beyond MBA. Things like basic goodness, honesty, ability to sacrifice, courage to blow a whistle etc.

There are so many day to day instances where we need not be super humans, but only simple individuals, but alas, simplicity is being fast rubbed off from our minds and hearts…..!!!

Three more balls to go.......

While as a middle order batsman I was in a habit of asking to the umpire, balls to go in the over whenever I went to bat. That habit is still with me, it just gives one a chance to assess how much has gone by and how much is yet to come.

While applying that to the present state of affairs in life, I found that now only three balls are left. Yes, half of my post graduation is over, a year later lot of things will be expected of me, by myself and by others. Just as in cricket, in life too last few overs play an important role. They can swing the game in either ways.

No wonder, there is an unnerving feeling in mind, however there are some things worth noting for the first half of this terminal over!

First, and foremost, I am still not out. Despite lot of hue and cry, losing faith at times, brooding over hits and misses, I am still on the crease. Firmly grounded. Anyone who has done MBA knows this as a fact of life.

Second, I have had my share of bouncers and beamers from the bowlers! This includes all the rough experiences that you think will never have an ending. From friends who never did their part of assignment in time to some truly malicious ones trying various machinations, they too have taught a lot. Crisis management is also another important thing I have learnt in the first half!

Third and most important of all has been the fact that just as in cricket, here too, I have had some brilliant team players to support me, guide me, correct me and encourage me. Be it a pat from the captain or a comment by a comrade to improve, all of it has and will go a long way to build a healthy partnership and post a huge total!!! This team spirit also has another advantage that seldom comes to our notice in day to day life; it is that it helps us being better individual in every sphere of life. Not only does it help by improving the communication with and understanding of others but it also allows us to give and earn respect among people who we value

I do not know the result of this game, nor do I dare to speculate or gamble. All I can say is, playing has been enthralling experience till now. And I hope it will have a befitting ending too.