Watch Out!! - Ever wondered why some make it big?

The most successful top level executives were not necessarily the smartest kids in the class, nor was their education or pedigree. They were just ordinary people who rose to become extraordinary leaders with time. Archetypal life-shaping experiences contributed to them turning out as extraordinary leaders with time.

Some common traits have emerged that have made them successful and a source of inspiration for others to follow: First is their character that makes them always act in good purpose of the enterprise. Second is their appetite to lead and always in charge of the situation, critically examining ones own values, beliefs, behaviors and even if it is not ones job always figuring out root of the problem or opportunity. Third is the capacity to take calculated personal risk without specific knowledge of how to succeed. Fourth is the innate capacity to be decisive at all times and making tough choices. Fifth is the ability to inspire and engage all. Selling something and getting others to buy in. Connecting with others and understanding what motivates others – also walking the talk and speaking their language, enlisting them as much by ones own deeds than just words. Sixth is being a parent at work, helping others to grow and to perform exceptionally.

Last, being a team builder. Gathering and leading a group in common endeavor, and succeeding, thus making average players to play like stars. Adding new members and weeding out underperformers. Setting direction and changing it while keeping them together. (Extract from - Business World)

Chanakya and his words of wisdom

History was one of my favourite subjects in school. I remember how keenly I used to read history with dad but when it used to be exam time same history was a nightmare for me - since remembering dates and periods used to make my life miserable. Well, I presume I should inculcate the habit of reading history once again and who knows this time I might be able to remember dates, periods and lives of many people who reigned the world at some or the other point.

So, let me start with Chanakya – one of my favourite characters in history who is revered and esteemed as a master strategist, astute statesman and a shrewd political administrator.

Chanakya (350 - 275 BC), also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, was born in Pataliputra, Magadha (modern Bihar, India) and later moved to Taxila, in Gandhara province (now in Pakistan). He was a professor (acharya) of political science at the Takshashila University and later the prime minister of the emperor Chandragupta Maurya. He is regarded as one of the earliest known political thinkers, economists and king-makers.
Chanakya is perhaps less well known outside India compared to other social and political philosophers of the world like Confucius and Machiavelli. His foresight and wide knowledge coupled with politics of expediency helped found the mighty Mauryan Empire in India. He compiled his political ideas into the Arthashastra, one of the world's earliest treatises on political thought and social order. His ideas remain popular to this day in India. In Jawaharlal Nehru's Discovery of India, Chanakya has been called the Indian Machiavelli, although he lived and died long before Machiavelli's time.

Pearls of wisdom by Chanakya: (The Quotes)

"A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and honest people are screwed first."

"Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous."

"The biggest guru-mantra is: Never share your secrets with anybody. It will destroy you."

"There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth."

"Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions - Why am I doing it, what the results might be and will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead."

"As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it."

"The world's biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman."

"Once you start a working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest."

"The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all direction."

"God is not present in idols. Your feelings are your god. The soul is your temple."

"A man is great by deeds, not by birth."

"Never make friends with people who are above or below you in status. Such friendships will never give you any happiness."

"Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next five years, scold them. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend. Your grown up children are your best friends."

"Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person."

"Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth.”

Coutesy - Google and Wikipedia

Reaons to be a child

Hum bhi agar bacche hote, naam hamara hota dabloo babloo khane ko milte ladooo and duniya kehte ...Happy children's day...Happy children's day...Happy children's day to you :)

Children's Day today and I want to be a child again...A baby rather.Why ? Why not?

Endless reasons:

1. Mommy "pani", Mommy "pani", Mommy "pani"...Drink as much as I want and don't bother what to do with the rest. Pour it on the carpet, sofa, floor and toss the "g(l)ass" on the floor.

2. Tutu (Susu)...He he he why waste time going to bathroom...do it anywhere :P:P.

3. Food...I want to eat what I want to eat. No fixed menu please. If I don't like it I will have it made on the fly.

4. I want my folks to pay me attention (read - be in attention...Savdaan!!).

5. Not to wait for someone to say yes.............rejoice with my fellas.

6. I want people to appreciate my intellect and intelligence.

One block over another, one new word and appreciation...clap!clap!clap!

The Mountain and the Squirrel - Ralph Waldo Emerson

A poem by R.W. Emerson which truly showcases the problem of complexes in human beings. The poem depicts a mountain carrying forests on its back but cannot crack a nut. Where as a squirrel that can crack a nut cannot carry forests. So none is superior or inferior in this world. All creatures serve as spokes in the wheel of life. God merely acts as the hub holding everything together. The poem:

The mountain and the squirrel
Had a quarrel,
And the former called the latter “Little Prig.”
Bun replied,
“You are doubtless very big;
But all sorts of things and weather
Must be taken in together,
To make up a year
And a sphere.
And I think it no disgrace
To occupy my place.
If I’m not so large as you,
You are not so small as I,
And not half so spry,
I’ll not deny you make
A very pretty squirrel track;

Talents differ; all is well and wisely put;
If I cannot carry forests on my back,
Neither can you crack a nut.”

Marriage – Which one would you favour?

While sipping a cup of cold cappuccino at CCD and gossiping on some usual stuff with Mark yesterday, our informal conversation suddenly broke into an argument. Well, the discussion was – which marriage is better rather successful-love or arranged?

Mark, like most of the present generation youth has an acumen point - love marriage is more successful than arranged marriage – to which I do agree (to some extent) but not 100 % since I have my own reasons to support my point.

Marriage has always been a big concern particularly - for children belonging to orthodox families. Whenever we talk of marriages, especially in India - an arranged marriage is considered as the most sagacious union. (God knows why?), probably because in an arranged marriage the suitable spouses are chosen by the parents and second reason being security and protection it offers. On the other hand to abnegate an arranged marriage is considered as a sign of disrespect. It has also been seen from statistics that the divorce rate for arranged marriages is much lower than those of love marriages. This does not imply that arranged marriages are successful than the love marriages. Just like arranged marriages, love marriages also have their own advantages.

Today young couples are not getting married only because they love each other. The new reasons are friendship, care, trust, respect, independence even a companion with whom one can share oneself. Today couples don’t marry for security and protection, but for companionship, emotional compatibility and mutual affection. That is the reason best couples are those who are the best of friends.

So, it is difficult to predict the perfect sort of marriage and hence it totally depends on an individual to decide whether he/she wants to have a love or arranged marriage after all it a question of being happy in life and also a one time investment ;) - Courtesy - The New Nation