Organisation – Love it or Hate it?

Often, these days, we keep hearing, some XYZ Company is best, and some other DEF is bad. Some company employees love to work for it and few just hate in other. But, do we actually like or hate the company we work or is the system in which company is incorporated we judge.

Organizations are Neutral; they don’t behave bad or good for people working there. Than how do we judge it?  It’s based on the process and policies decided by the management of the organisation which governs it.

Just look back at any company we work or worked earlier. Brand name will remain in our mind; the company actually is standing still.  What comes in to us is the feeling what we got while working there.

In numerous exit interviews I have done till now, large number of people have left because of better prospects elsewhere. That doesn’t mean they didn’t like the company they worked for. It’s just that, they didn’t like the way system was working, the practices it was followed, the culture it had and opportunities it provided.

If we incorporate best practices, good working environment, responsibility of work along with authority of taking decision, the organisation becomes good, and we reverse with all this, it becomes bad. 

Organization is like a raw stone, it doesn’t have any feature, unless the required shape is carved out. 

Suppose any company has high volatility, doesn’t have long term project - assignments, the attrition rate will go up, the morale will be low and in the market, the talk about the company is negative. However, it’s not the organisation mistake.  What went wrong is the decision of people working there and the practices they follow. 

Similarly when there is high volume of business, more profit, better engagement programs, it’s not the organisation which has got it done. It’s the people, who work there , has better management skills, market condition will be in their favor, which also makes the work place great. 

So next time, when someone comments about a company, remember, it’s the decisions taken inside four walls of the office, which has got the name it has, either good or bad.

Dignity of Labour – A must have !!

Sometime in 2002 - 03.  He is my friend Sharath, was my classmate in school, introduced my friend to his family members. They wished and asked what I was pursuing. I said BBM. Got back question - is BBM done after BE completion or before BE?!!

I was not surprised with that question as most of my batch mates , classmates, friends had entered the booming software engineering courses and I along with very few went for Management and Commerce graduation. The awareness of other courses was also limited and the mind set was - after school / PU, what next? Become a Software Engineer!!

I know many who didn’t want to become one, but they just joined because of parental, peer and society pressure.  What is that we tried doing with the entire generation of educated people was to stereo type the minds set and tell them, if you don’t become like X , than you have failed in life.

Even today I have many friends in IT sector who don’t know what happens outside their Industry and think only they are the blessed souls around... Well, that’s not true...!!   (Also, off late have seen few cribbing for taking the IT line!!).

Being blessed with opportunity to work in different industries, have seen people across diverse sectors of business- From Fashion Designers to Plumbing Engineers, from Sales Associates to Branding Managers, who are working in creative studios, with colorful materials, to harsh conditions, non-ac setup, having  breaks on weekdays instead of Sat / Sunday. However  they are leading joyful life, happy and job satisfied and at same time, have witnessed, so called blessed people in sophisticated environment, paid highest wages but leading a disturbed, unbalanced and isolated life. 

World is vast with opportunities. What we require is the openness to accept all the skills. We need that attitude of respecting all the jobs which an individual may do. The dignity of labour is need of the hour.

A farmer and a soldier, according to me, have to be given highest respect because of the harsh condition they work and uncertainty they lead. BMTC driver has to be recognized for the patience they have to drive in Bengaluru traffic, so as Traffic Cop for managing the madness on road. A pizza delivery guy might have more job satisfaction than a person who is eating it at office or home, nevertheless current society only checks the wealth of the person who has ordered it and person who makes & delivers it, will be looked other way. 

The mind-set is also to be changed among parents who force children to take up particular line, killing the creativeness in the child, make them study which they are not interested. We never knew if that kid would have become an entrepreneur, a diary engineer, an agricultural scientist etc. Even government has to be sensitive in encouraging other areas where we are not finding good resources and boost it with soaps and benefits. A society can be strong only when all are respected equally, irrespective of the job they do and not based on the money they earn.

Before closing, found this beautiful message from Mahatma Gandhiji –

I call myself a labourer, because I take pride in calling myself a spinner, weaver, farmer and scavenger...!!

ಕನ್ನಡದ ಮಕ್ಕಳು and English Parents

Story 1:

After many years, was delighted to see a friend in a mall. He was there for shopping with his spouse and kid. I was speaking to him in our mother tongue “Kannada” on career, classmates, etc., and understood he had settled well in life, just when his son came running with some toys.

ಅಪ್ಪಾ , ಇದು ಬೇಕೂ (Dad, I want this …!) And was pleading his father. My friend replied in English, No!! I have told you not to get all those things. The conversation went for some time and I was surprised to see his son speaking in Kannada and this guy was enforcing his artificial English accent while replying.

I was curious to know why he was speaking in English when his son had interest to speak in his mother tongue and his reply was off-putting.

According to him, there was need for English in daily life and he wishes his son to inculcate that practice and not Kannada which has no usage in business life. It made me wonder, if this guy knows that, even he grew up and well settled in life and for which he didn’t depend only on English for his growth. What happened in 10 -15 yrs later, for him to think, by speaking in mother tongue, children will not get educated and also language is not only about business life, it’s more of connecting with people and society ?

As per some of the studies done by psychologists, whenever we learn , hear something in any language, our brain will be transforming the words, pictures in our mother tongue for us to grasp the meaning. Trying to enforce other language artificially will only strain our system and also leads to inefficient learning’s. Hope our modern parents remember this and stop punishing and start encouraging them to speak in their mother tongue.

Story 2:

Few years ago, I was returning from library. Hey have you read the latest Harry Potter series? Asked my friend, and my answer was No. Not that I am against English novels, but my interest is on various forms of Kannada literature. I told him the same and suggested he read Poornachandra Tejasvi kind of books instead of asking me on some magic broom and stick English stories.

Even though friend was a Kannadiga, he was surprised at my reply. He was wondering if I still read Tejasvi  books and I was surprised at his ignorance and maturity. People like him feel any books written by foreign authors are all time grate and forget that our Indian authors write much more closely to our heart and nativity. Even today when I read any of Tejasvi or Byrappa’s novels, the characters of the stories will haunt for some days, because of the connectivity we can do with such stories, even if we know it may not be in real.

We are becoming slaves of foreign languages, be it English, German or Japanese. Of course there is no harm in learning new skills but not in cost of our Indianness. We feel great that Germans don’t speak in other language but back at home we forget our own language. We feel gratitude while adding Japanese "san"  for  names, but inferior to address any one as Shri or Shrimati. We learn hard to pronounce French words to wish people, but don’t feel proud to wish as Namaste. Isn’t it irony of our present day India!!?

We spend thousands of rupees for unwarranted things, cant we subscribe for Kannada News paper and magazines which is just some hundred rupees. Remember, what we sow is what we reap. What we are today is because of the culture and moderation our parents did on us. If we don’t follow it and let go our children on their own, we will repent in future.

My English is not fluent, however, I am not remorse about it, as it is not and will never be my language, its only used as medium of communication and not language of heart. You might feel, why I have not written this in Kannada? Well, I know if I had written it in Kannada, many Kannadigas themselves would have not read and moved on…!!

This blog is not about propagating Kannada vs. other language, but the intention is to introspect our attitude towards our mother tongue in the race of learning foreign languages. You can replace Kannada with any other Indian language and most of the languages will be in similar situation as above.

By the way it’s November!! Time to celebrate Karnataka formation in Indian republic. A celebration not only for those who are born with Kannada mother tongue but for all such people who have made Karnataka their home for livelihood. Join the celebrations and continue to grow, both – state and yourself.

ಕನ್ನಡ ರಾಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸವದ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು  - Happy Kannada Rajyotsava..!!

3 Mistakes (& Learning’s) of My Life !!

We keep facing incidents in life which will be lesson for us in various forms. However, some events will remain in your heart , keep reminding you to become a better person . This are some important lessons, which haunts me on regular intervals..!!

Learning 1:

Sometime in 1990’s.

Hey, why no one is joining today? I was enquiring with one of my friends in neighbourhood. It was a routine for us to meet in ground after school hours and play for some time. Reply was -Today was  birthday of a guy in our locality and some are invited for treat at his home. Oh, I was not aware, might have got missed, and pacified myself. Sometime later friends came home calling for his treat; I told was not aware, but joined the event unsolicited.

At party, I realised it was a small affair, for limited people and I was never meant to be invited. Well its fine I told again myself. Had cakes & snacks, of course, dinner, which I felt was too spicy,& went home happily. 

Next day, at playground, the birthday celebration was spoken in his presence.  Not sure why I did that, but commented about the spicy food, which we had for dinner. His face changed and I realised my blunder. An Uninvited guest, free food and making unwarranted comment!!

Learning I got – Never go to an uninvited place, and if gone for whatsoever reason, don’t comment on anything, since we have no right to comment after having free food as an unwelcomed person, barging in to a private function.

Learning 2:

Sometime in 1^st decade of 2000.

It was a hectic day. Failed in an interview (though intention was to make some money during vacation, which HR found out & rejected!!), got stuck in heavy rain while coming back and of course namma Bengaluru traffic Jam. By the time I reached home drenched, entire day was gone. 

As I enter the home, land-line rang. Friend was on call. He had been my buddy for years now. Had privilege of seeing coffee days, using mobile phones for first time, visiting new areas of Bengaluru, all thanks to him !! As I was completely stressed out that day, I was not in mood to speak, rather frustration was building up. But he continued speaking in his natural jolly mood even after knowing my situation. 

In bit of rage, I expressed displeasure of talking at that point of time, but it was in discourteous words.

That’s it!! I have not heard from him from past 10 + yrs. Initially I didn’t mind, but later years, I felt guilty, apologetic for being rude to him. Lost his phone number in some transition, have searched for him in social sites but in vain and hunt still continues.

Learning I got – Never speak in rage, and if spoken, don’t be egoistic in apologizing before it’s too late. Spoken Words & Broken Hearts cannot be rectified!!

Learning 3:

Sometime between 2004 – 2010

Hey Sharath, need your help. I have one campus interview to attend, can you please drop me. I did so, and waited in his college campus for him to finish the interview and drop him back. After all, he was one of my good buddies for many years now. 

He got job in a big MNC, life moved on for many years, until one day he called me. I had one rarely used, but well maintained two wheeler at home, and he wanted me to sell that to him, for his younger brother. 

Looking at his financial commitments & conditions, agreed to give my vehicle, but not by selling, instead free. Only condition was, he has to maintain it well and return it to me when he doesn’t want. Before handing over, I serviced it and gave.

Ten months later, got a call, saying he is no more need of it and would like to return.  Without clue on what I will be facing, I agreed.  As I saw my vehicle being brought back by him, heart sank. It was damaged on a side, from mudguard to tail lamp, full of dust, and webs. He had not even cleaned it before passing back. Insurance was lapsed long back, didn’t bother to renew it. 

I was badly hurt to see it in that condition, since it was with great interest and persuading, I had bought it and maintained. When questioned, he didn’t have proper answer and before I could recover from shock, he had left the place.

I spent some thousands to service, but never got its original shape. Finally disposed it off, free of cost to a deserving & eligible person, who wanted to make use of it.

Few months later, when met in a program asked him, if his deed was good. He argued that nothing was damaged, and he has returned it in same condition he had got. I felt pathetic and kept quiet. After few days, he called to take my bank account number; with assurance of transferring the amount I had spent to repair it.  It never got credited, as expected.

That was the last interaction I had, after that it became a courtesy smile if met on occasions and his priorities changed. Recently heard, he has grown in career, with high income, luxury car & hi-tech gadgets. Nothing thrilled me to know about his growth, but felt sympathetic and pity for him for running away from a friend who had helped him in different situations, for sake of few thousands..!! 

It was also a lesson to me, to not trust by face value, since money can change people in different directions. Also learnt, never give your personal assets to any one, because for them it will never have that personal responsibility and it will also end up in loosing relationships.

Being Human (Resources)

This week, as I enter one more year of being in the field of people management, thought of retrospecting this turf.

One of the funniest, common (and some time irritating too) question I have heard in this field is – HR? Do you guys work? What work you guys have!!? Etc..

I am sure this question is faced by most of my HR friends also. For outsiders its very simple job because they don’t see our efforts unlike many other roles, nor we use any machines, codes etc. But inside story is different.

When we interact with associates, we need to analyze back of our mind, what might be going on in his / her mind and what answers we need to give. Many times it will be right analysis and some time it back fires, putting us in spot.

Even when we are undergoing turmoil in life due to various factors, we are expected to keep ourselves cool and answer all types of questions we are faced without showing our pains within.

The most difficult tasks we are faced are, when we are supposed to terminate employment of fellow associates. If its disciplinary action, somewhere we can justify our job, but in all other case, we are burned with psychological pressure of snatching someone’s livelihood, which we can’t share it outside, as that is the job demand.

In some earlier assignments, I have personally spent days together in office without breaks for project completion, missing personal commitments, facing taunts, nevertheless still I have smiled when people asked if I have any work.

There are many examples, where managers don’t perform this difficult role of people management of communicating any news to their team members but direct them to us, saying HR decision!! Well, this is to be good in front of them and put us in situation. However, many associates have started understanding the game these managers are playing, thank god!! Saved from this at-least.

So what we do in an organization? In simple words, we are more like spokesperson for management, bridge for associates, and punching bag for all unfavorable things in the company.

It’s also a privilege role, where , we do our own joining formalities, prepare our exit documents, own confirmation letter print out, but don’t imagine next – We fix our appraisal percentage as well , No !! It’s not done by us!!

At end, if I question, was my decision of becoming a Management Graduate in HR, way back in school days was correct, I think yes. For my traits, I don’t think any other role would have best suited me, like this.

It has given me growth in careers, vast opportunities to work in different industry, interact with thousands of associates from 10^th pass to IIM graduates, received appreciations from people for helping them in their career guidance and decisions, which changed their personal life.

Definitely I feel proud, because, I work in the most complex area of mankind -   Human Brains.

Dasera Dasappa of Mandya & Dignified Coolies of India…

Scene 1:

Dasera Dasappa is a character in one of the famous books by Mr. H.L. Nagegowda. In his book “Nannuru” the author gives a detailed description of his village in a remote corner of Mandya in Karnataka. It revolves around the social situation of 60’s & 70’s

Throughout the novel, we find many such people who are economically poor, but rich in culture & heritage, with high regards to well-being of fellow people, lively,by finding happiness in even small things.

One Such character is Dasappa, whose ultimate dream is to visit Mysore during Dasera and watch the procession live with his wife & two sons. For this purpose, he saves his life earnings, collects resources from neighbours, plans day by day itinerary and when he starts his journey to Mysore, entire village assembles to wish them safe journey. Some of them even give their wish list to get from the city.

On reaching city, he and his family feel proud of achieving their aim of life but also felt lost in that richness and crowd. In one episode, they visit a restaurant and order masala dosa’s for entire family and when the bill arrives they are shocked, since it takes away lot of money from their kitty which they never imagined in their small world.  Similar funny events are recorded when they get stuck while crossing the traffic, or buying of clothes,or watching Dasera procession.  

Even in their insufficiency, the family stays together, enjoys the journey in different aspects and takes the reader to the timeline of what would have been the simple life of such people.

There was no money, social media, TV or mobile. But there was more values in life, affections in family, in person connect with nature, friends and relatives...

Scene 2:

Some weeks ago, happened to be in a lecturer session, where an intellectual was speaking on individual wellness. He used one word which I felt very interesting and haunting – the current generation is more inclined to become “Dignified Coolies of India”. Am I also one?  The answer was surely - Yes!!

No doubt, the IT ITES revolution has brought in sea changes to our country in terms of employment opportunities and revenue to all sectors. But at what cost?

Today if any country in Americas or Europe sneezes, we will shiver. If they cough we drink water, is it required to be so over dependent on foreign countries economy to run our own country?

Look at China, even they have huge population, but they are not entirely dependent on the particular industry. They are dominating in most of the manufacturing sectors, and mostly running their economy on own,by encouraging exports.

In the name of technical advance, most of us have forgotten the basic requirements of life. We are glued to system for hours together, followed by virtual friends. Lost interest in our festivals but eagerly interested in different types of days what foreigners celebrate. We have acquired that negative feeling which says our culture, religion; customs are inferior compared to foreign countries.

Remember those days when we played on sand, on roads with tops, on terrace with kites, nothing happened to us. But why is that sudden change in our attitude. With advance of technology, we have side-lined our traditional games and sports, not introducing such things to our kids but make them addicted to tabs at young age? Is it next gen coolies getting ready for serving foreign soil? 

We are becoming too complicated, due to the impact of corporate culture in personal life as well. We are losing sensitivity towards our own society in the race of making more dollars. In a way, our life is getting billed by someone else for every hour we are alive!!

I am not saying we should not work for others, but we should not give away our life for some other country like this. We have our capabilities to become entrepreneurs, business initiatives and try exploring it.

Even if we work, we should not give away our Indianness from our life. No matter how beautiful the neighbouring house is, end of the day, we sleep comfortable only in our house..Similarly no matter how good other country might be, for us, India is ultimate. We need to keep that in mind. If something is not correct here, let’s use try to change it instead of always criticizing it.

Let’s dedicate some time in our routine to society, family, and friends. At end no one will remember how many assignments I have closed for some client, but what matters is, how we spent time with family, and what was my contribution to fellow people and country is.

There are many opportunities we can find these days to distress ourselves from the hectic life, we need to show some interest and start identifying such chance which connects us back to our roots.  Try doing this and see the change...