Can you hear me now?

Scheduled meetings keep us busy hopping between calls and sometimes platforms or apps. Who would have thought, work from home would be this hectic. 

 

But, it does not matter what tool or app we use for the call, what network or device we use, what subject or who we speak with; There is always one unifying and consistent question that cuts across every conversation - Can you hear me now?

 

Can you hear me now has become an integral part of our lives. Do you remember going through a 10-minute call without this coming up?   

 

Somehow, this question silences unwanted noises? The inaudible and garbled voice from the other side suddenly becomes loud and clear. Be it a lousy home Wi-Fi network, a bad Bluetooth hands-free, or even a screaming kid in the background - These words seem to fix everything. Do you recall responding negatively to this question ever? Can you hear me now probably is the loudest and clearest sounding part of most online conversations? 

 

Can you hear me now is not just an apologetic enquiry but a much bigger mind game. It is not about fixing issues but about the placebo effect of these words that makes all the difference. It is your way of showing that you care to the person who cannot hear your voice. Can you hear me now shows that you listened to the complaint. And more often than not, that is all it takes to solve an issue. 

 

Do not feel bad when your voice is not heard. Do not feel apologetic about it. Instead, feel proud because you have the elixir that can solve the problem. All you have to do is to ask confidently, 

 

Can you hear me now? 

Problems to a Solution, Google way

Sometimes, we come across a seemingly insurmountable challenge and wonder if this would ever get resolved. All that matters in those times is a simple straight answer to get rid of the issue. Google is usually a wonderful tool for such situations. But then, it can frustrate even the most patient ones with some confusing and contradicting answers. The over smartness of this search engine can end up creating Problems to a solution, as I have experienced a few times. My relationship with Google is like Tom's relationship with Jerry. Always want to be with it but annoyed with it within few minutes of getting together.

I had this unenviable privilege of being in a sticky situation and wanted Google to bail me out. Little did I realise that it was one of those 'Google moment's where it decided to spin me around from one cryptic solution to the next until I decided that I was better off with the problem than searching for the solution.  Here are some of the pearls of wisdom that Google offered as a possible answer to my conundrum.

“Problems are the stepping-stone to success”.

An annoying and eternally optimistic quote that makes us believe that problems are the best thing that can happen to us? That is a convenient excuse to set me up for the next wisdom that says "Failures are the stepping-stone to success". I should have taken the cue that Google was lazy that day and wanted me to accept the problem and not bother making its crawlers work. 

Problems and failures may teach us something and make us wiser but I was not in a mood for a stepping-stone or even a ladder that day. I was not even interested in that success. All that I wanted was to get rid of the problem. Quickly.  I was looking for a quick answer, an elevator. 

Annoyed at this stepping stone metaphor I continued my quest. Search that is.

”There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands. You seek problems because you need their gifts” - Richard Bach

Frustrated at my determination, Google tried to make me believe that there is a gift with every problem. Either that or tried to make me feel guilty for creating the mess that I was trying to get out of. Just to make it clear, I neither chose the problem nor did I need any gifts. All I wanted was a solution that would help me get rid of the issue. 

I was not giving into Google's tactics to make me give up the search. 

“If the problem can be solved why worry? If the problem cannot be solved worrying will do you no good.” - Shantideva

Wow. What a hopeless gem. Who said anything about worrying. Now Google decided to play mind games with me to give up this search. It wanted to convince me that I am worried and that is going to do me no good. Maybe it wanted me to just get on that stepping-stone, take the gift and live with the problem. But the strategy almost started working on me. This quote sowed some seeds of doubts in my mind and I was beginning to get confused. To worry or not to worry. That was the question. 

But then I recovered in time. I needed my answer, not smart-sounding wisdom. 

“I am not smart. I stay with the problems longer”- Albert Einstein

That was a cheap shot. Was it not? Was Google trying to imply that if the greatest human mind stayed longer with the problem, then an ordinary mortal like me should live with it forever? In case Google forgot, all that Einstein cared for was to break atoms that cannot be seen by the naked eye. Hence, the problems he stayed with were probably not too big. Relatively speaking, that is. 

Forget about staying with my problems, I didn’t want to stay on this quote any longer. So I moved on and I was not letting Google off the hook as yet.

“There is no problem so complicated that it cannot be run away from”. Richard Bach, Illusions

Solutions don’t get simpler and more practical than this. Problems are hard to deal with so why make the situation harder than it already is. Looking for the nearest exit is not a bad option. Actually,  the idea of evading the problem was brilliant. 

Finally, the reluctant Google inadvertently gave me the perfect answer. Or so I thought. The problem with happiness is that it doesn't last forever. Someone throws a spanner at it eventually.

“All too frequently a problem evaded is a crisis invited” – Henry Kissinger

The German-born American statesman and political scientist threw this spanner that drove me ‘nuts’ again. To evade or not evade. That became the question now. 

Or was it another salvo from Google? All this while,  It was trying to throw me off the track with contradicting pearls of wisdom when i was desperate for an answer. And just when I settled on an answer, it wanted to create Problems to the solution. 

“Sometimes problems don’t require a solution to solve them; instead they require maturity to outgrow them”- Dr Steve Maraboli

Is that a truce from Google? How simple was that solution? We don’t solve problems but outgrow them. And here I was, searching all over the place for a solution that was as easy as this. No more sticky situations or challenges in life. All I have to do is grow up. 

Sorry, Google for doubting you. You are after all the be-all and end-all for me. Annoying as you may be, you are still a friend that I literally 'look-up' to.

Satisfied with the solution and glad to have made peace with Google, I was about to close my computer. Just then, another search result popped up. Googles parting gift that made me scream "Not Ok Google"

“That's the real trouble with this world. Too many people grow up” – Walt Disney

Tom & Jerry might one day make peace with each other but Google and I could never do that. But just as those Disney characters, I can never live without Google either. 

Times Now in Republic India Today

A Personal take on the media circus that we have witnessed in the last 3 months

The drama started unfolding with the shocking end to a promising life

but everyone smelt the rat and suspected the menace that ran rife.

A rebel without a cause fights on, brave and unfazed 

Even as she 'Ran out' of space in the ruins that got razed.

The 'nuis'ance media pants and rants in their race to gloat 'Exclusive'

but, is it their birthright to be abusive and intrusive?

Republic may be the name but freedom of speech is a big nay

they will grab 'Ar nab' your views even before you have a say

The Nation wants to know, why do they dramatize and overplay

with the frenzied debates always ending in disarray.

NCB is like that excited and confused kid in a candy store

too overjoyed to grab anything but still wants more

Was the bureau sleeping even as the A-Listers turned brats?

Sadly, they are left chasing the tail armed only with few historical chats.

Even as the masked and dazed divas beeline for interrogation

One can't help but wonder, whatever happened to the original murder investigation

Truth in India Today is all about what you chose to believe in

We live in an interesting Times Now where sensationalism masks all sin.

We have seen this movie before and we all know how it ends

Justice and closure in favor of all those who are friends

The Big Picture

How often have we been told to look at the big picture? 

The good part is, no one will admit to not seeing one for the fear of being brandished as not too smart. After all, it is the realm of visionary leadership trait. Details are often relegated to the poor foot soldiers to deal with. After all, Leadership is all about showing the Big Picture is it not? Besides, if we just focus on the small details, we will never get the big picture. That is a good excuse to avoid details and paint your version of the big story. Do you agree?

Having done a few canvas paintings over the past 3 years, I wanted to transition to the larger versions. Or in other words, I wanted to paint a big picture. A very big one at that. The fun part of painting on canvas is that you create your magical world and live in it.  Maybe not forever but at least as long as you are painting it. It’s a different matter that I have never figured out why these paintings always looked better in my head than on the canvas I have painted in.   Well, that is a challenge for another day. 

Armed with paints, brushes a blank wall, and more importantly the permission to paint the wall, I was all set. I even had a reference photo so that took care of the problem of my ‘creative- challenged’ mind. And, before I knew it,  I was staring at the huge blank wall in front of me - A proverbial blank canvas that I could paint my world in. I felt like God. 

But then there was this small question that posed a big challenge. Where do I start? The harsh reality of the magnitude of the task ahead erased every hazy detail of the image I had in mind. (Ok, in the laptop screen).  Did I say, I felt like God? An overwhelmed clueless God, I must admit. 

But don’t little things matter? Don’t these small details make big things happen? I  decided to tackle the challenge by focussing on the details and started painting one little detail at a time. One tiny brushstroke at a time. I chose to ignore the big picture and looked at everything close-up.  I was no longer trying to create a Master Piece but focussed on the smallest of details. Slowly but steadily from the blank emptiness of the wall emerged a serene forest.  25 hours later when I stepped back from the wall, there it was, my version of the big picture. Click here for the video to see the details up close.

Not everyone is a gifted visionary. Ordinary mortals like my self, may not be able to paint a big story that inspires the world. But that does not mean, we cannot get there. We simply have to take a different route. We can reach that big picture, with one tiny brushstroke at a time. Layer after layer, detail after detail, element after element we can build our picture up without feeling overwhelmed at not seeing the big picture. 

Close Up Pictures of the painting to show details

Small details are not the enemy of the big picture. They are not mutually exclusive traits of leadership too. So do not bother about figuring out if you are a big picture person or the details person. You can be both. You need to be both. There is no shame in paying attention to details. 

We can be that foot soldier who takes care of the details that help emerge the big picture. One tiny detail at a time creates a large forest. Nature has been doing it successfully for billions of years. So why can't we? 

Lessons from an auto rickshaw ride

Have you ever felt that helpless frustration of being taken for a ride?

If not, then maybe you have not experienced an auto-rickshaw (Tuk Tuk) ride in India. For some, an ‘auto’ ride is like a death wish on 3 wheels, for some others, it is one of the most essential conveniences to beat traffic and time. But if you are one of those who are not riding in an ‘auto’ then it is a nuisance on 3 wheels that are always threatening to knock you down or scratch your expensive car. So much so, that it is almost fashionable for most living in Chennai or visiting this city to complain about the rude auto-rickshaw drivers and rough rides that follow. Not to mention the ‘not so fair’ fares. But is there a Leadership lesson that we can pick up at the end of this bumpy ride?

Having traveled a few times in these 3 wheeled automobile marvels I have come to realize that there is more to this ride than just the rough side. In fact, if we manage to hang in there through the potholes, sharp turns, tampered fare meter et-all, then this ride can teach us some important lessons for both lives in general and handling the challenges at the workplace.  

Lesson 1: Every Problem has a solution 

Every now and then we come across a challenge that seems unsurmountable – a challenge that seems to have no apparent solution. An auto-rickshaw driver faces this situation every day in the jam-packed roads with hardly any space to maneuver. And yet, they somehow see as many gaps as there are vehicles on the road. They don’t look at what’s in front but what’s ahead. How do they do that?

They follow 3 simple essentials of leadership

Understand the rules well enough to know when to break them. 

If you have any doubts, go on one of those rides where the vehicle cuts an impossibly sharp angle to beat the jam ahead. The auto drivers don't always do this but just when it is essential. Some times, rules don't get you past a hurdle.  

It is not a popularity contest

These drivers are not the most popular ones on the road and they don't care about winning hearts either. Cutting through jammed traffic to drop a time-crunched passenger does not always happen if you are Mr. Nice. 

Focus on the solution and not the problems

An auto driver always looks for the gaps and not the vehicles in front that is blocking his route. Just as how a good leader looks only for solutions and not the problems in front. 

Lesson 2:Unknown angel better than the known devil  

When faced with overwhelming problems (heavy traffic) the ‘auto’ almost always goes into roads less traveled and maybe even into streets that have no road. An auto-rickshaw driver knows that a known devil (the main road with traffic) is a devil but is always optimistic about the new routes. It’s their hope for an angel rather than the fear of devil that helps pass the traffic. A gamble is always better than the status quo. You will never find an auto-rickshaw standing helpless in traffic. They always strive to move ahead. So what if you don’t approve of their methods. Often times, our problems are so much a result of our fear of failure and the resulting inaction. Don't you agree?

Lesson 3: Take that first step

An important and fascinating lesson I have learned through an auto ride is how a solution emerges once we are ready to resolve the problem. The trick is to take that first step, however small it may seem. Have you noticed how an auto-rickshaw manages to pass through the narrowest of gaps that were not even wide enough for the front wheel to pass through, to start with? The auto never waits for the complete solution to emerge but works with what it has and lets the answer evolve. Course corrections are part of the norm. True pioneers of the agile methodology I suppose. 

Lesson 4: Self Belief

It is easy to believe that for a vehicle on 3 wheels and a high center of gravity to stay on the road without tipping over then it has to be a miracle at play and not just engineering logic. But miracles don't happen every day. Do they? The supreme self-belief of the driver on his driving skills, his confidence about his vehicle's capability, and the knowledge of the road is what makes this miracle happen every day. Essential traits of a true leader. Aren't they?

Always remember, we are never taken for a ride in life. We are only taken on a ride. It is up to us to enjoy the distinction and more importantly enjoy the ride while it lasts. 

Next time you get into one of these 3 wheeled marvels, remember not to complain about the nerve-wracking, back-breaking ride. Instead, sit back and enjoy the adventure while it lasts, pick up all the amazing lessons from your journey and get down a better Leader.

Made in China

The world blames China for this pandemic and the call to boycott their products is understandable. But is it practical? Or is it just emotional rhetoric that will last until the next crisis or the next elections (don't they mean the same?) Closer home, is it not too early and ambitious for India to believe that this is our time to replace China as the factory of the world? 

You may hate them but you can't ignore them. Look around your own house and try to pick something that is not '中国制造Zhōngguó zhìzào (Made in China) or at least a part of it made there. From consumer goods to medicines to planes to cars, we rely on them. We are happy to sit comfortably on the recliners made in China, while watching a TikTok video or playing PUBG on our Xiaomi phone in the living room designed on Feng Shui principles, waiting for the Chinese food to be door delivered. All the while, 'Hotei' or the Laughing Buddha as we know him, keeps smiling at us from the corner of our room. And yet, we want to boycott China.  Like it or not, we are the reason why 中国人无处不在  Zhōngguó rén wú chù bùzài. (the Chinese are everywhere).We let them encroach our world. They created dependency and we fell for it. Because it made a lot of sense. The truth is, it still does. 

Toaster Economics is a reality and the Chinese understood this long before others did. It takes more than 400 subparts made out of 100 different materials to make a humble toaster. It is cheaper and quicker to procure these parts and assemble a toaster rather than making it from scratch. In the business world, the economy of scale decides who wins and who bites the dust. The Chinese may not eat bread toasts for breakfast but they know that the rest of the world loves it and they need toasters. So they decided to be the Factory to the world. They built infrastructure and assets to scale for global needs. 40% of the world's overall trade happens with China. Almost all countries import more from China than they export to them. And they did not achieve this status overnight.

China is known as the natural resource deficient country. So theirs is not an overnight rag to riches story like some of the gulf countries. They didn't take the elevator but climbed every rung of the ladder. Hate them as much as you will, but we must remember that they are the ones to beat. Their political landscape played a crucial role in sustaining a vision. Their inherent skill, and discipline made them perfectly suited for mass production manufacturing. With cheap labor cost to boost, Made in China became inevitable for countries across the globe to grow their business. It still is. So what changed suddenly?

Everything is fine until it is not. 

This global lockdown has not just made the world wear a mask but has also helped us remove the blinkers. It has given us a new perspective. This break has given us the opportunity to pause and take a step back to assess our follies. We are now seeing the obvious. Conspiracy theories about the origination of COVID-19 fuelled this into anger and the upcoming elections are stoking this anti-China fire.  Ban China, Boycott Chinese product sentiment is echoing across the globe. This rhetoric might help some 'Trump' the upcoming elections. But the larger question remains, can the world afford to exit the dragon? 

Are we ready to Make in India?

'Make in India' is not a magic switch to turn China off and turn India on. It is an intent statement that needs to be backed with decades of discipline and planning. Small and Medium Industries that will have to play a major role in making this intent succeed are still relying on cheap Chinese made machines to be competitive.  India will have to spend billions in building the infrastructure needed to produce the volumes, efficiency to reduce the turn around times, reforms to improve the ease of doing business, and many more aspects to reduce their reliance on China. Let alone wriggling completely out of the dragon's jaws.  Statue of Unity is India's pride and an architectural wonder for sure. But this Made in India monument needed parts Made in China to stand tall and make us proud. Think about it.

Make in India is a great start.No doubt. Countries looking to reduce the dependency on China is a wise move. But, we will all do well to remember that it took more than 30 years of ruthless single-minded leadership led by a common vision and discipline to make China reach where they are. 

Don't you agree?

Online education for India

"When the student is ready, the teacher arrives"

Google has been that teacher for me whenever the student in me is ready. It has been my best friend, mentor, guide, and many more in the last 15 years and has taught me most of what I know today. Does that make me a big fan of the online education system? Maybe, not entirely. 

In my view, online, learning is ideal for adults who want to augment a new skill, for job seekers to clear that last mile employability hurdles or those who are looking for a certificate of merit. Proficiency in a subject alone does not make you a capable person. You can never replace the overall personality development basics inculcated by the formal education system. Most of the top companies across the globe are led by Indians. They did not learn online to get to where they are. I believe that a complete online system can and should never replace the traditional system. Of course, that does not take away the need to upgrade the current education system. 

Also read: Artificial Intelligence or Natural Stupidity

Less than 30% of Indians have access to online and less than 15% have a computing device at home. So we are a long way away from online education. However, from a business point of view, this is the industry to be in for the following reasons.

• Survey statistics might say that only 15% of Indian students have a smartphone or a device. But a tiny percentage in India is still more than the entire student population of many countries. So this will become one of the fastest-growing industries in India for sure. 
• With the present governments focus on Digital India and several initiatives launched to promote online education programs, we will see growth. 
• Gamification is the key to this model. Especially for the kids. Byju's of the world are getting better at it and that explains their popularity. 
• The cost of traditional education is still very high for many. Online can be an affordable solution if accessibility issues are addressed.
• India does not have many teachers. Our student-teacher ratio is really bad. So we need this model.

The online education system will learn, adapt, improve, and play a major role in the future. Technology will advance and technology is a good friend of this model. Kids of today, naturally gravitate towards gadgets so they will fit in well into this model as well. However, the diploma alone will not help tackle the many curveballs that life would throw at us. Education will. And education is not just about getting a diploma or graduation. 

Real-world challenges are never a straight line graph solved by plotting the curve. It's about braving the adversity, taking one on the chin for your team, about having the data but looking outside of it for the solution. 

New need not be the enemy of the Old. The generations thus far, haven't done too bad with the traditional systems. I hope we continue the traditional systems and augment it with the online education system to produce a better generation.