Magical, Mystical Mom

It must in the year 1972 as I was getting back from school there was this little crowd gathered around some activity, curious I went and saw and it was Jayalalitha with all those make up dabbed on her face dancing under the Chetput bridge. It was some movie that was being shot.  That was my first and the last close encounter.  Then it was during those days when MGR died and there was a tussle between Janaki and Jayalalitha for supremacy over the party.  The journalist, whom I happened to know well, recorded an interview of Jayalalitha in her recording device and gave it to me to decipher some tamil phrases she had used. I was mid way through the interview when my friend came and pulled out the cassette and rushed out.   Later I hear that Jayalalitha had changed her mind about the interview and requested to withdraw the statements made in haste obviously.

I have heard many stories apart from this from many people but I dont want to go into it.

Now she is behind bars. A lady who worked her way up and got into the laps of luxury has to get back to her beginning.  But what puzzles me is a lady who is so smart and confident why would she ever do some stupid thing like this ?  Or is she being implicated and framed ?  What beats me is her proximity to Sasikala. What is it that she saw in Sasikala ?  I just can’t fathom it.

Surely I have tremendous respect for her ability to take on the DMK monolith single handedly and crush the party and ground it to paste.

Now lets step aside and understand the responsibility of a leader. A leader has to inspire, lead and carry the people forward. Amma has not done that. She had her ministers falling at her feet quite literally. She was tough taskmaster.  She was abrasive. She took bold decisions. All these made even those close to her to fear her. Now that is not what a leader is made of. A leader certainly cannot be so closely aligned to a person like Sasikala and her clan.

Bottom line guilty of crimes or not. She surely is not a leader. But I still kind of like her. Thats the enigma of Jayalalitha.

 

 

Make Sure Your Employees’ Emotional Needs Are Met by Susan David

9:00 AM July 8, 2014

Source : HBR – for original article hit the link on the headline 

In the early 1940s, Abraham Maslow started asking questions about human motivation— questions I study, too. In 1943, he published his first article on a theory he called the Hierarchy of Needs.

Today, the theory is usually depicted as a pyramid, although Maslow didn’t use one in his original writings; it’s a textbook creation. At the bottom are physiological needs: food and water. The next levels represent safety needs, then love needs, then esteem needs. Self-actualization (personal growth and fulfillment) is at the pinnacle, suggesting that it can only be reached when the other four needs are met.

People latched onto this pyramid structure immediately. But, in doing so, they forgot Maslow’s many notes about the dynamic messiness of human motivation, which we usually experience in one conscious stream rather than small parts. “We have spoken so far as if this hierarchy were a fixed order but actually it is not nearly as rigid as we may have implied,” Maslow wrote. He would probably be appalled at how we use his theory today.

Case in point: In my work as a psychologist and organizational consultant, I recently sat in on a strategy session at a global company. The managers were discussing how to better engage their employees. One senior executive suggested they focus on cash-based incentives. Why? She cited Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, explaining that salaries and benefits would provide people with food and shelter – physiological needs. Employees could then move up the pyramid to achieve career success and, eventually, a higher purpose – the feeling that their work bettered society. She felt that the organization had to get compensation right first.

It wasn’t the first time I’d heard Maslow’s name in a meeting of managers. The hierarchy has become something of an unquestioned “fact”. It’s cited in HR manuals, business class syllabi, and leadership presentations. People use it to push the idea that the basics – like a fair salary or a safe work environment – are the employee engagement tools that matter most. But here’s the problem: the pyramid version of Maslow’s theory doesn’t usually apply to the world of professional work.

In today’s developed-world workplace, physiological and safety needs are, for the most part, already met. Salary and benefits can enhance motivation, but organizations shouldn’t focus on them disproportionately because emotional experiences can matter equally, if not more.

In a recent study of outstandingly engaged business units, I asked people what drove their high engagement scores. Only 4% of respondents mentioned pay. Instead, they highlighted feeling autonomous and empowered, and a sense of belonging on their teams. We all know people who trade high salaries and even safety for love, esteem,and self-actualization at work – the accountants who become high school teachers, or the journalists who move to war zones with pennies in their pockets.

The reality is that human needs can’t be neatly arranged into a pyramid. Motivation isn’t simple, and it’s certainly not linear. Different people are motivated by different things. Even Maslow began to worry about the uses of his theory at the end of his life, arguing that the most important way to achieve personal satisfaction was to face one’s inner demons. He entered psychoanalysis himself at age 61 to deal with long-repressed anger.

I understand why we’ve latched onto the hierarchy of needs. A motivation checklist would be nice. But we’re not working with a fixed or universal process. There are many factors that contribute to engagement, including teams, autonomy, interesting work, recognition, and individual development. So don’t let the basics of compensation and benefits drive your people strategy or the way you lead. Your employees deserve much more than a pyramid.

Subramaniam Swamy may be an jackass

For those of you who are offended by ‘Subramaniam Swamy and his antics. Here is a thought.  I have not met this man but I really appreciate the role he plays in the democratic process.   He takes on the powers with boldness and grit. He has a smile as a bonus..a smile that is pleasant not wicked. 

Iam not a big fan of Congress or the Gandhis but I really believe that they played a role in stabilizing the country after independence. Good or bad there is some order and democratic process because of congress. So when I saw his latest tweet lashing out at the Gandhis  I was a bit taken aback. But then a man like Subramaniam Swamy has to do what he wants to do, and he must do it his way. 

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Upper Caste and Boko Haram what’s the difference

I opened todays paper and I saw 3 news items in page 3 and 4 of The Hindu about Dalits.  And obviously all the 3 had nothing good about it.

Woman’s Marriage with Dalit leads honor killing. 

Bhavani, 25 a ‘caste hindu’ was murdered by her brother Dinesh Kumar.  And this guy obviously flew down from Kula Lumpur to commit this dastardly act.

9 suspects picked up in rape case, but no breakthrough yet

Karur murder of 17 yr old girl and the culprit is yet to be traced.

Dalit Children to miss out on education 

Obviously the parents are scared to send their kids to school.

Five cases of sesual assault on Dalit girls reported in Kulithalai 

Why Dalit ‘girls’ and that too the young ones are the targets. Remember those 200 school girls abducted by Boko Haram (Islamic Militants).  In spite of all the violence, I always respected the militants for sending their body through intense pain through training to fight for a cause. Then after all this they end up kidnapping helpless school girls ?  Thats a shame.  Is there a difference between these cowardly militants and those ‘upper caste’ people, who enjoy all the privileges and yet indulge in harassing those who cannot defend themselves. I do not support anyone who exploits others (not even the auto guys in chennai will be spared) but if the society gangs up to fight against the helpless auto drivers then its a cowardly act. Society must mobilise itself to take on big challenges not fight against hapless, helpless groups.

 

Black Money

The government does not want the list publicised

 

 

I just saw a picture of Mr. Arun Jaitley in The Hindu this morning. This is what he said that also became the headlines “We are writing to the Swiss for Black Money List”.   I guess he knows for sure that writing to the swiss is not going to get him the list and thats precisely what he is look for – NOT TO GET THE LIST.

Trust me neither will the Swiss part with the list and even if they do the list will never be publicised. We will live in the dark as far as monies stashed in the Swiss account is concerned. And why not?  Certain mysteries must remain as mysteries.

 

 

Update.

I was surprised to see this  cartoon  in The Hindu

Imposition of Hindi

Why did I hate Tamil when I was in school?  I just cant explain. Perhaps the teachers were Tamil Nazis and perhaps it was my Dad who took special interest to teach me the language. Why was my Dad so concerned about Tamil?  He was obviously swayed by politicians like CN Annadurai, EVR Periyar who were tamil zealots and who swayed the masses with the rhetoric. Today as I listen to those speeches my love for Tamil gets triggered. I wish we had Youtube and internet those days. As a student I would have access to their speeches and perhaps learnt the language willingly.

I continued to hate Tamil and at one juncture I was given the option to take French as a second language but my Dad stood his ground. He devoted more time to teach me but then I failed my pre university exams and I failed in Tamil. But then Tamil, as a language, continued to harasses me for 2 more years as I did my graduation.

Life goes on.  I got into the work world and I could neither speak Tamil (because I hated it) nor could I speak English. I was tongue tied, my self esteem took a beating. It got worse when friends around me spoke Hindi and I had no clue on what was happening. I got spewed out of most interesting social circles.

Later on in life I got to realize that language is just a combination of sounds. Sounds are common to all languages. How does it matter if I learn Tamil or Hindi or Urdu or Spanish?  To love Language is good but to be zealous about a language is stupidity.

I was quite happy when I saw this facebook update the Church response may not be a planned on but its timely

Hindi Service at St. Andrews Kirk

CSR Mandate of the Companies Act 2013 – A SICCI SEMINAR

Overview

CSR is linked to business sustainability and is the sustainable development of the communities we live and work, including the environment in which we operate. A time has come that we are confident to make a difference with effective CSR practice in place. On introduction of the recent company’s bill 2013, business houses tend to think in the lines of what could motivate them to devote their employee’s time and resources in sustaining effective CSR initiatives. Challenges faced while implementing the new company’s bill will include or many not be limited to CSR inclusion, implementation and reporting. We also believe that there is a need for adequate knowledge and skills for thoughts and implementation effective CSR practices.

Program Coverage

UWC, SICCI and E&Y have jointly come together to address the industries and other business houses on the need and relevance of following the company’s bill on effective CSR practices. UWC will also render options for assisting companies and other business houses on problem identification and solutions relevant to effective CSR practices.

Spotlight 

Senior Partner with Assurance practice of the Ernst & Young India member firm, SR Batliboi & Co

Presenting on :

CRS Mandate of Companies Act 2013

Applicability, CRS Policy and reporting, Program Sectors, Allocations of finance.

Vice Chairman of Cognizant Technology Solutions and Founder Member of United Way of Chennai

Presenting on :

UWC- Corporate Partnerships on CSR practices:

Opportunities and Challenges, Cause alignment, Organizational Credibility and building and managing effective partnerships with sample cases

Who should Attend”

Companies and other business houses that are currently incorporating, or intend incorporating effective CSR practices, within their business structures. The others include CSR planners, decision makers and officials of private sector companies.

The Take away

Essentials of CSR:

• Model framework of business responsibility and sustainability.
• Norms and standards for CSR practices and disclosure.
• Role of UWC in inducting business responsibilities with reviews

Program 

Date  7th June 2014

Day    Saturday

Time  10 am to 1 pm

Venue :

My Fortune Chennai,

Cathedral Road, Chennai

TN – 600086

Of strong leaders and miserable lives

MMS is dumb, wish we had a vocal PM.  Modi will make a great PM.  History will bail me out when I say that the greatest crisis the world has faced has always been because of strong leaders.  There is so much of buzz around China emerging through discipline.  Well I have heard this nice little story of how a Chinese investor came to India to study the possibility of investing Indian stocks.  Stepping outside his post hotel he tripped on a protruding stone in the kerb and nearly stumbled over.  He was shocked and he gathered himself and said “This will never happen in China.. how is it possible for Indians to live this way”

The answer is simple China progresses because of its Government and India in spite of its government.

So when I saw this picture I thought I must share it with you.  Please remember strong leaders will take away your freedom, he will take away your sons and daughters and properties and production. He will forcibly take away your income and wealth. He will put a pin in your collar to keep your head upright 

For the sake of the state…

As a student of political science  I was in the wrong end of politics, I would say a victim of  the office politics.  I wore my heart in my sleeve, I slogged it out and yet I was always  facing challenges.   I was born in the lower end of a middle class home that entangled in a religious system and married to a lady who preferred her husband to have a life style of a village school teacher. To top this all at work I did not have a godfather,  the boss I had to report to on business was not charitable to me for  I had abused (actually abused) for playing truant (I was hot blooded). My administrative boss was an alcoholic and a womanizer who was having it out with my secretary.  In spite of all this I did well because I loved my job and my profession and I was concerned about those who worked with me.  Result in exactly 1 year, based on my performance,  I was ordained to be the front runner for the Directorship which was nearly 5 layers above me.  The work culture I had created was buzzing with ideas  that perhaps was the reason.  But then when you are chosen, you need to be able to navigate the corporate jungle, that’s where I goofed.  I realized work alone will not suffice its work + politics.   That realization dawned in late.

With a post graduation in political science and Management education why did I not fuse them together and be wiser?   My moral disposition was the reason.

While in college I was influenced by Thomas Hobbes and Nicollo Machiavelli, but it’s the later who captured my imagination.  Hobbes was a champion of absolutism for the sovereign but he also developed some of the fundamentals of European liberal thought: the right of the individual; the natural equality of all men; the artificial character of the political order (which led to the later distinction between civil society and the state); the view that all legitimate political power must be “representative” and based on the consent of the people; and a liberal interpretation of law which leaves people free to do whatever the law does not explicitly forbid.

Machiavelli on the other hand is  prototype of a modern empirical scientist, building generalizations from experience and historical facts, and emphasizing the uselessness of theorizing with the imagination.  Scholars often note that Machiavelli glorifies instrumentality in state building – an approach embodied by the saying that “the ends justify the means.” Violence may be necessary for the successful transfer of power and introduction of new legal institutions. Force may be used to eliminate political rivals, to coerce resistant populations, and to purge previous rulers who will inevitably attempt to regain their power.

Take away the selfishness attached to Machiavelli you will have a real interesting and effective tool kit for governance and growth.  For reasons of state (raison d’état) a leader can do anything.  When I say state I would mean a collective of people, not just an institution/organization.  History will bear me out when I say that leaders with wrong intent following the selfish and power laden path bring people and society to much suffering and pain

Navigating office politics is a training session I used to specialize in.  Not many liked the topic, most found it obnoxious and wanted to wish it away sweeping it under the carpet.  But I believe each of us are a socio-political being.  Being political for good reasons is important if not you become the victim of power games played by the average minds.

Debt makes the world go around

There is so much of negative things being said about credit cards and loans and stuff like that.  I have been in the receiving end of such oppression – if I may use that word.  But to a person like me who loves life on the edge and bordering on the high risk profile I just can get myself to have surplus funds, it just does not happen.  Not that I have not tried but I have tried in vain and every time I fall flat on the face I only strengthens my resolve about me being a non-savings guy.  Its got its own heart burns for sure.  When it comes to bill payment.

Probably the only solution is to live life like a pauper and being content and then give off all the surplus money to those who need it the most instead of stashing it.  Well that brings as to the issue of saving for a rainy day.  I guess when you focus on the rainy day and save for it the rainy day happens.  My life is going to be an experiment of sorts.  As long as I can move about I will work, provided people employ me.  I want to live light now.  I don’t want be seduced by the material stuff.  I pray for discernment and a generous heart to give away what I have in excess for those who need it, expecting nothing in return.  There will be a time when I need money will those who took from me ever pay back?  and big big NO.  They may look away from me.  But then from the most unexpected direction someone will come by.  And even if they dont a new ME will rise within myself – MY SPIRIT OR MY WILL will become richer and stronger.

I love this passage

There is no suffering that you have to endure that is not common to man.  But God is faithful and just for with the suffering he will give you way to escape that you may be able to bear it .

Here is a pic that captured my imagination today and made me write this