Showing posts with label Inspirations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inspirations. Show all posts
Monday, May 5, 2014
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela : The Legend
Nelson Mandela, who became one of the world's most beloved statesmen and a colossus of the 20th century when he emerged from 27 years in prison to negotiate an end to white minority rule in South Africa, has died. He was 95.
South African President Jacob Zuma made the announcement at a news conference late Thursday, saying "we've lost our greatest son."
His death closed the final chapter in South Africa's struggle to cast off apartheid, leaving the world with indelible memories of a man of astonishing grace and good humor. Rock concerts celebrated his birthday. Hollywood stars glorified him on screen. And his regal bearing, graying hair and raspy voice made him instantly recognizable across the globe.
As South Africa's first black president, the ex-boxer, lawyer and prisoner No. 46664 paved the way to racial reconciliation with well-chosen gestures of forgiveness. He lunched with the prosecutor who sent him to jail, sang the apartheid-era Afrikaans anthem at his inauguration, and traveled hundreds of miles to have tea with the widow of Hendrik Verwoerd, the prime minister at the time he was imprisoned.
His most memorable gesture came when he strode onto the field before the 1995 Rugby World Cup final in Johannesburg. When he came on the field in South African colors to congratulate the victorious South African team, he brought the overwhelmingly white crowd of 63,000 to its feet, chanting "Nelson! Nelson! Nelson!"
For he had marched headlong into a bastion of white Afrikanerdom - the temple of South African rugby - and made its followers feel they belonged in the new South Africa.
At the same time, Mandela was himself uneasy with the idea of being an icon and he did not escape criticism as an individual and a politician, though much of it was muted by his status as a unassailable symbol of decency and principle. As president, he failed to craft a lasting formula for overcoming South Africa's biggest post-apartheid problems, including one of the world's widest gaps between rich and poor. In his writings, he pondered the heavy cost to his family of his decision to devote himself to the struggle against apartheid.
He had been convicted of treason and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 for leading a campaign of sabotage against the government, and sent to the notorious Robben Island prison. It was forbidden to quote him or publish his photo, yet he and other jailed members of his banned African National Congress were able to smuggle out messages of guidance to the anti-apartheid crusade.
As time passed - the "long, lonely, wasted years," as he termed them - international awareness of apartheid grew more acute. By the time Mandela turned 70 he was the world's most famous political prisoner. Such were his mental reserves, though, that he turned down conditional offers of freedom from his apartheid jailers and even found a way to benefit from confinement.
"People tend to measure themselves by external accomplishments, but jail allows a person to focus on internal ones; such as honesty, sincerity, simplicity, humility, generosity and an absence of variety," Mandela says in one of the many quotations displayed at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. "You learn to look into yourself."
Thousands died, were tortured and were imprisoned in the decades-long struggle against apartheid, so that when Mandela emerged from prison in 1990, smiling and waving to the crowds, the image became an international icon of freedom to rival the fall of the Berlin Wall.
South Africa's white rulers had portrayed Mandela as the spearhead of a communist revolution and insisted that black majority rule would usher in the chaos and bloodshed that had beset many other African countries as they shook off colonial rule.
Yet since apartheid ended, South Africa has held four parliamentary elections and elected three presidents, always peacefully, setting an example on a continent where democracy is still new and fragile. Its democracy has flaws, and the African National Congress has struggled to deliver on promises. It is a front runner ahead of 2014 elections, but corruption scandals and other missteps have undercut some of the promise of earlier years.
"We have confounded the prophets of doom and achieved a bloodless revolution. We have restored the dignity of every South African," Mandela said shortly before stepping down as president in 1999 at age 80.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born July 18, 1918, the son of a tribal chief in Transkei, one of the future "Bantustans," independent republics set up by the apartheid regime to cement the separation of whites and blacks.
Mandela's royal upbringing gave him a dignified bearing that became his hallmark. Many South Africans of all races would later call him by his clan name, Madiba, as a token of affection and respect.
Growing up at a time when virtually all of Africa was under European colonial rule, Mandela attended Methodist schools before being admitted to the black University of Fort Hare in 1938. He was expelled two years later for his role in a student strike.
He moved to Johannesburg and worked as a policeman at a gold mine, boxed as an amateur heavyweight and studied law.
His first wife, nurse Evelyn Mase, bore him four children. A daughter died in infancy, a son was killed in a car crash in 1970 and another son died of AIDS in 2005. The couple divorced in 1957 and Evelyn died in 2004.
Mandela began his rise through the anti-apartheid movement in 1944, when he helped form the ANC Youth League.
He organized a campaign in 1952 to encourage defiance of laws that segregated schools, marriage, housing and job opportunities. The government retaliated by barring him from attending gatherings and leaving Johannesburg, the first of many "banning" orders he was to endure.
After a two-day nationwide strike was crushed by police, he and a small group of ANC colleagues decided on military action and Mandela pushed to form the movement's guerrilla wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe, or Spear of the Nation.
He was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to five years' hard labor for leaving the country illegally and inciting blacks to strike.
A year later, police uncovered the ANC's underground headquarters on a farm near Johannesburg and seized documents outlining plans for a guerrilla campaign. At a time when African colonies were one by one becoming independent states, Mandela and seven co-defendants were sentenced to life in prison.
"I do not deny that I planned sabotage," he told the court. "I did not plan it in a spirit of recklessness, nor because I have any love of violence. I planned it as a result of a calm and sober assessment of the political situation that had arisen after years of tyranny, exploitation and oppression of my people by whites."
The ANC's armed wing was later involved in a series of high-profile bombings that killed civilians, and many in the white minority viewed the imprisoned Mandela as a terrorist. Up until 2008, when President George W. Bush rescinded the order, he could not visit the US without a waiver from the secretary of state certifying he was not a terrorist.
From the late 1960s South Africa gradually became an international pariah, expelled from the U.N., banned from the Olympics. In 1973 Mandela refused a government offer of release on condition he agree to confine himself to his native Transkei. In 1982 he and other top ANC inmates were moved off Robben Island to a mainland prison. Three years later Mandela was again offered freedom, and again he refused unless segregation laws were scrapped and the government negotiated with the ANC.
In 1989, FW de Klerk became president. This Afrikaner recognized the end was near for white-ruled South Africa. Mandela, for his part, continued, even in his last weeks in prison, to advocate nationalizing banks, mines and monopoly industries - a stance that frightened the white business community.
But talks were already underway, with Mandela being spirited out of prison to meet a white Cabinet minister.
On Feb. 11, 1990, inmate No. 46664, who had once been refused permission to leave prison for his mother's funeral, went free and walked hand-in-hand with Winnie, his wife. Blacks across the country erupted in joy - as did many whites.
Mandela took charge of the ANC, shared the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize with de Klerk and was elected president by a landslide in South Africa's first all-race election the following year.
At his inauguration, he stood hand on heart, saluted by white generals as he sang along to two anthems: the apartheid-era Afrikaans "Die Stem," ("The Voice") and the African "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" ("Lord Bless Africa").
To black South Africans expecting a speedy new deal, Mandela pleaded for patience. The millions denied proper housing, schools and health care under apartheid had expected the revolution to deliver quick fixes, but Mandela recognized he had to embrace free market policies to keep white-dominated big business on his side and attract foreign investment.
For all his saintly image, Mandela had an autocratic streak. When black journalists mildly criticized his government, he painted them as stooges of the whites who owned the media. Whites with complaints were dismissed as pining for their old privileges.
He denounced Bush as a warmonger and the US having "committed unspeakable atrocities in the world." When asked about his closeness to Fidel Castro and Moammar Gadhafi despite human rights violations in the countries they ruled, Mandela explained that he wouldn't forsake supporters of the anti-apartheid struggle.
With his fellow Nobelist, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, he set up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which allowed human rights offenders of all races to admit their crimes publicly in return for lenient treatment. It proved to be a kind of national therapy that would become a model for other countries emerging from prolonged strife.
He increasingly left the governing to Deputy President Thabo Mbeki, who took over when Mandela's term ended in June 1999 and he declined to seek another - a rarity among African presidents.
"I must step down while there are one or two people who admire me," Mandela joked at the time. When he retired, he said he was going to stand on a street with a sign that said: "Unemployed, no job. New wife and large family to support."
His marriage to Winnie had fallen apart after his release and he was now married to Graca Machel, the widowed former first lady of neighboring Mozambique.
He is survived by Machel; his daughter Makaziwe by his first marriage, and daughters Zindzi and Zenani by his second.
South African President Jacob Zuma made the announcement at a news conference late Thursday, saying "we've lost our greatest son."
His death closed the final chapter in South Africa's struggle to cast off apartheid, leaving the world with indelible memories of a man of astonishing grace and good humor. Rock concerts celebrated his birthday. Hollywood stars glorified him on screen. And his regal bearing, graying hair and raspy voice made him instantly recognizable across the globe.
As South Africa's first black president, the ex-boxer, lawyer and prisoner No. 46664 paved the way to racial reconciliation with well-chosen gestures of forgiveness. He lunched with the prosecutor who sent him to jail, sang the apartheid-era Afrikaans anthem at his inauguration, and traveled hundreds of miles to have tea with the widow of Hendrik Verwoerd, the prime minister at the time he was imprisoned.
His most memorable gesture came when he strode onto the field before the 1995 Rugby World Cup final in Johannesburg. When he came on the field in South African colors to congratulate the victorious South African team, he brought the overwhelmingly white crowd of 63,000 to its feet, chanting "Nelson! Nelson! Nelson!"
For he had marched headlong into a bastion of white Afrikanerdom - the temple of South African rugby - and made its followers feel they belonged in the new South Africa.
At the same time, Mandela was himself uneasy with the idea of being an icon and he did not escape criticism as an individual and a politician, though much of it was muted by his status as a unassailable symbol of decency and principle. As president, he failed to craft a lasting formula for overcoming South Africa's biggest post-apartheid problems, including one of the world's widest gaps between rich and poor. In his writings, he pondered the heavy cost to his family of his decision to devote himself to the struggle against apartheid.
He had been convicted of treason and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 for leading a campaign of sabotage against the government, and sent to the notorious Robben Island prison. It was forbidden to quote him or publish his photo, yet he and other jailed members of his banned African National Congress were able to smuggle out messages of guidance to the anti-apartheid crusade.
As time passed - the "long, lonely, wasted years," as he termed them - international awareness of apartheid grew more acute. By the time Mandela turned 70 he was the world's most famous political prisoner. Such were his mental reserves, though, that he turned down conditional offers of freedom from his apartheid jailers and even found a way to benefit from confinement.
"People tend to measure themselves by external accomplishments, but jail allows a person to focus on internal ones; such as honesty, sincerity, simplicity, humility, generosity and an absence of variety," Mandela says in one of the many quotations displayed at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. "You learn to look into yourself."
Thousands died, were tortured and were imprisoned in the decades-long struggle against apartheid, so that when Mandela emerged from prison in 1990, smiling and waving to the crowds, the image became an international icon of freedom to rival the fall of the Berlin Wall.
South Africa's white rulers had portrayed Mandela as the spearhead of a communist revolution and insisted that black majority rule would usher in the chaos and bloodshed that had beset many other African countries as they shook off colonial rule.
Yet since apartheid ended, South Africa has held four parliamentary elections and elected three presidents, always peacefully, setting an example on a continent where democracy is still new and fragile. Its democracy has flaws, and the African National Congress has struggled to deliver on promises. It is a front runner ahead of 2014 elections, but corruption scandals and other missteps have undercut some of the promise of earlier years.
"We have confounded the prophets of doom and achieved a bloodless revolution. We have restored the dignity of every South African," Mandela said shortly before stepping down as president in 1999 at age 80.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born July 18, 1918, the son of a tribal chief in Transkei, one of the future "Bantustans," independent republics set up by the apartheid regime to cement the separation of whites and blacks.
Mandela's royal upbringing gave him a dignified bearing that became his hallmark. Many South Africans of all races would later call him by his clan name, Madiba, as a token of affection and respect.
Growing up at a time when virtually all of Africa was under European colonial rule, Mandela attended Methodist schools before being admitted to the black University of Fort Hare in 1938. He was expelled two years later for his role in a student strike.
He moved to Johannesburg and worked as a policeman at a gold mine, boxed as an amateur heavyweight and studied law.
His first wife, nurse Evelyn Mase, bore him four children. A daughter died in infancy, a son was killed in a car crash in 1970 and another son died of AIDS in 2005. The couple divorced in 1957 and Evelyn died in 2004.
Mandela began his rise through the anti-apartheid movement in 1944, when he helped form the ANC Youth League.
He organized a campaign in 1952 to encourage defiance of laws that segregated schools, marriage, housing and job opportunities. The government retaliated by barring him from attending gatherings and leaving Johannesburg, the first of many "banning" orders he was to endure.
After a two-day nationwide strike was crushed by police, he and a small group of ANC colleagues decided on military action and Mandela pushed to form the movement's guerrilla wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe, or Spear of the Nation.
He was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to five years' hard labor for leaving the country illegally and inciting blacks to strike.
A year later, police uncovered the ANC's underground headquarters on a farm near Johannesburg and seized documents outlining plans for a guerrilla campaign. At a time when African colonies were one by one becoming independent states, Mandela and seven co-defendants were sentenced to life in prison.
"I do not deny that I planned sabotage," he told the court. "I did not plan it in a spirit of recklessness, nor because I have any love of violence. I planned it as a result of a calm and sober assessment of the political situation that had arisen after years of tyranny, exploitation and oppression of my people by whites."
The ANC's armed wing was later involved in a series of high-profile bombings that killed civilians, and many in the white minority viewed the imprisoned Mandela as a terrorist. Up until 2008, when President George W. Bush rescinded the order, he could not visit the US without a waiver from the secretary of state certifying he was not a terrorist.
From the late 1960s South Africa gradually became an international pariah, expelled from the U.N., banned from the Olympics. In 1973 Mandela refused a government offer of release on condition he agree to confine himself to his native Transkei. In 1982 he and other top ANC inmates were moved off Robben Island to a mainland prison. Three years later Mandela was again offered freedom, and again he refused unless segregation laws were scrapped and the government negotiated with the ANC.
In 1989, FW de Klerk became president. This Afrikaner recognized the end was near for white-ruled South Africa. Mandela, for his part, continued, even in his last weeks in prison, to advocate nationalizing banks, mines and monopoly industries - a stance that frightened the white business community.
But talks were already underway, with Mandela being spirited out of prison to meet a white Cabinet minister.
On Feb. 11, 1990, inmate No. 46664, who had once been refused permission to leave prison for his mother's funeral, went free and walked hand-in-hand with Winnie, his wife. Blacks across the country erupted in joy - as did many whites.
Mandela took charge of the ANC, shared the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize with de Klerk and was elected president by a landslide in South Africa's first all-race election the following year.
At his inauguration, he stood hand on heart, saluted by white generals as he sang along to two anthems: the apartheid-era Afrikaans "Die Stem," ("The Voice") and the African "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" ("Lord Bless Africa").
To black South Africans expecting a speedy new deal, Mandela pleaded for patience. The millions denied proper housing, schools and health care under apartheid had expected the revolution to deliver quick fixes, but Mandela recognized he had to embrace free market policies to keep white-dominated big business on his side and attract foreign investment.
For all his saintly image, Mandela had an autocratic streak. When black journalists mildly criticized his government, he painted them as stooges of the whites who owned the media. Whites with complaints were dismissed as pining for their old privileges.
He denounced Bush as a warmonger and the US having "committed unspeakable atrocities in the world." When asked about his closeness to Fidel Castro and Moammar Gadhafi despite human rights violations in the countries they ruled, Mandela explained that he wouldn't forsake supporters of the anti-apartheid struggle.
With his fellow Nobelist, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, he set up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which allowed human rights offenders of all races to admit their crimes publicly in return for lenient treatment. It proved to be a kind of national therapy that would become a model for other countries emerging from prolonged strife.
He increasingly left the governing to Deputy President Thabo Mbeki, who took over when Mandela's term ended in June 1999 and he declined to seek another - a rarity among African presidents.
"I must step down while there are one or two people who admire me," Mandela joked at the time. When he retired, he said he was going to stand on a street with a sign that said: "Unemployed, no job. New wife and large family to support."
His marriage to Winnie had fallen apart after his release and he was now married to Graca Machel, the widowed former first lady of neighboring Mozambique.
He is survived by Machel; his daughter Makaziwe by his first marriage, and daughters Zindzi and Zenani by his second.
( My quote : if you want to understand the power of Mandela - watch the movie "Invictus")
Actors who 'Played' Nelson Mandela react:
In the wake of Nelson Mandela's death, the actors who had played the beloved South African leader on the silver screen reacted to the news with sorrow.
Idris Elba, who Mandela in the film "Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom," spoke out about the passing of the iconic anti-anpartheid activist.
"I am stunned at this very moment, in mourning with the rest of the world and Madiba's family," Elba told The News. "We have lost one of the greatest human beings to have walked this earth, I only feel honored to be associated with him. He is in a better place now.”
"What an honor it was to step into the shoes of Nelson Mandela," the actor continued, "and portray a man who defied odds, broke down barriers, and championed human rights before the eyes of the world. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."
"Today the world lost one of the true giants of the past century," Freeman told The News. "Nelson Mandela was a man of incomparable honor, unconquerable strength, and unyielding resolve — a saint to many, a hero to all who treasure liberty, freedom and the dignity of humankind.
"As we remember his triumphs, let us, in his memory, not just reflect on how far we've come, but on how far we have to go. Madiba may no longer be with us, but his journey continues on with me and with all of us."
Mandela, 95, had been in poor health since June. South African President Jacob Zuma, announcing the news, noted that "he passed on peacefully in the comfort of his family."
Freeman also penned an essay for Time on playing the world leader.
"Calling Mandela a hero falls woefully short in adequately portraying the man who fought apartheid, was sent to prison for 27 years, was freed from the living hell of unjust confinement, became South Africa's first democratically elected president, and changed the political landscape of his country," Freeman wrote.
Madiba, as his friends called him, and I became friends back in the 1990s when, during a press conference, he was asked who he would want to portray him in a film," the actor continued. "To my everlasting honor, he mentioned me, and thus began our 20-year relationship. I got to walk with him, talk with him, hold his hand and get to know one of the greatest men who ever lived.
"We have lost one of the true giants of the past century," Freeman added. "But in our loss is the realization that thanks to him, we have all gained something. For in bringing down the evil of apartheid, Mandela raised us up; his wisdom, patience, compassion and insistence on reconciliation make us aspire to be better people."
"Madiba's journey may be over, but his legacy lives on in all of us," Freeman concluded.
Harvey Weinstein, whose company distributed "Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom," also commented on the loss.
"I have had the privilege of spending time with President Mandela and I can say his sense of humor was as great as his optimism," he said to The News. "We are deeply saddened by his loss; our hearts go out to his family and the entire South African nation."
Dennis Haysbert, who played Mandela in "Goodbye Bafana," also shared his grief.
"Portraying Nelson Mandela, in the film 'Goodbye Bafana' was a defining moment in my life and career," he told The News. "We as a society, have been blessed to live in a time that Nelson Mandela has lived, loved, and led. What he has done for his country, his countrymen and everyone on this planet may not be achieved again … ever. I will always honor him as a saint."
Idris Elba, who Mandela in the film "Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom," spoke out about the passing of the iconic anti-anpartheid activist.
"I am stunned at this very moment, in mourning with the rest of the world and Madiba's family," Elba told The News. "We have lost one of the greatest human beings to have walked this earth, I only feel honored to be associated with him. He is in a better place now.”
"What an honor it was to step into the shoes of Nelson Mandela," the actor continued, "and portray a man who defied odds, broke down barriers, and championed human rights before the eyes of the world. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."
"Today the world lost one of the true giants of the past century," Freeman told The News. "Nelson Mandela was a man of incomparable honor, unconquerable strength, and unyielding resolve — a saint to many, a hero to all who treasure liberty, freedom and the dignity of humankind.
"As we remember his triumphs, let us, in his memory, not just reflect on how far we've come, but on how far we have to go. Madiba may no longer be with us, but his journey continues on with me and with all of us."
Mandela, 95, had been in poor health since June. South African President Jacob Zuma, announcing the news, noted that "he passed on peacefully in the comfort of his family."
Freeman also penned an essay for Time on playing the world leader.
"Calling Mandela a hero falls woefully short in adequately portraying the man who fought apartheid, was sent to prison for 27 years, was freed from the living hell of unjust confinement, became South Africa's first democratically elected president, and changed the political landscape of his country," Freeman wrote.
Madiba, as his friends called him, and I became friends back in the 1990s when, during a press conference, he was asked who he would want to portray him in a film," the actor continued. "To my everlasting honor, he mentioned me, and thus began our 20-year relationship. I got to walk with him, talk with him, hold his hand and get to know one of the greatest men who ever lived.
"We have lost one of the true giants of the past century," Freeman added. "But in our loss is the realization that thanks to him, we have all gained something. For in bringing down the evil of apartheid, Mandela raised us up; his wisdom, patience, compassion and insistence on reconciliation make us aspire to be better people."
"Madiba's journey may be over, but his legacy lives on in all of us," Freeman concluded.
Harvey Weinstein, whose company distributed "Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom," also commented on the loss.
"I have had the privilege of spending time with President Mandela and I can say his sense of humor was as great as his optimism," he said to The News. "We are deeply saddened by his loss; our hearts go out to his family and the entire South African nation."
Dennis Haysbert, who played Mandela in "Goodbye Bafana," also shared his grief.
"Portraying Nelson Mandela, in the film 'Goodbye Bafana' was a defining moment in my life and career," he told The News. "We as a society, have been blessed to live in a time that Nelson Mandela has lived, loved, and led. What he has done for his country, his countrymen and everyone on this planet may not be achieved again … ever. I will always honor him as a saint."
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Effect of Affection :
"Although there are achievements that I am proud of,
none compare to that of my two sons, Rishi and Rohan. Before they were born,
I've always imagined how I would teach them about life and always be there for
them. But little did I know, they ended up becoming my inspiration, strength
and peace."
- Mittu Chandilya, CEO, Air Asia – Indian Operations
- Mittu Chandilya, CEO, Air Asia – Indian Operations
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Creativity to the Core @ Mc Singapore
In one of my visits to Singapore, I had a few minutes to catch up a cup of cofee. I dropped into Mc Donalds and ordered a cup of Cofee with Milk. I donot remember the exact name of this cofee.
As usual, the cofee garnishing was great and it is a habit for me to capture memorable moments - I took photo of this 'full' Cofee. As I sipped through, I fould some print emerging on the cofee cup. Initially I thought it could have been some manufacturing defect. But as I sipped through, the print emerged to be a picture. It was a picture of hot cup of cofee. As I continued to consume, I found a "+' symbol. My curiosity was at peak. Then emerged an icon, I could not understand fully.
Only when I finished the cofee, I understood this code language. It meant "A hot cup of 'Mc Cofee" on a comfotable sofa results in smiling face" . 100% True.
Thought this could be just a message, I admired the creativity of Mc. That is why they are what they are today.
As usual, the cofee garnishing was great and it is a habit for me to capture memorable moments - I took photo of this 'full' Cofee. As I sipped through, I fould some print emerging on the cofee cup. Initially I thought it could have been some manufacturing defect. But as I sipped through, the print emerged to be a picture. It was a picture of hot cup of cofee. As I continued to consume, I found a "+' symbol. My curiosity was at peak. Then emerged an icon, I could not understand fully. 
Only when I finished the cofee, I understood this code language. It meant "A hot cup of 'Mc Cofee" on a comfotable sofa results in smiling face" . 100% True.
Thought this could be just a message, I admired the creativity of Mc. That is why they are what they are today.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Fear Management
Once
there was a king who received a gift of two magnificent falcons from Arabia .
They were peregrine falcons, the most beautiful birds he had ever seen. He gave
the precious birds to his head falconer to be trained.
Months passed and one day the head falconer informed the king that though one of the falcons was flying majestically, soaring high in the sky, the other bird had not moved from its branch since the day it had arrived.
The king summoned healers and sorcerers from all the land to tend to the falcon, but no one could make the bird fly. He presented the task to the member of his court, but the next day, the king saw through the palace window that the bird had still not moved from its perch. Having tried everything else, the king thought to himself, "May be I need someone more familiar with the countryside to understand the nature of this problem." So he cried out to his court, "Go and get a farmer."
In the morning, the king was thrilled to see the falcon soaring high above the palace gardens. He said to his court, "Bring me the doer of this miracle."
The court quickly located the farmer, who came and stood before the king. The king asked him, "How did you make the falcon fly?"
With his head bowed, the farmer said to the king, " It was very easy, your highness. I simply cut the branch where the bird was sitting."
Moral : We are all made to fly -- to realize our incredible potential as human beings. But instead of doing that, we sit on our branches, clinging to the things that are familiar to us. The possibilities are endless, but for most of us, they remain undiscovered. We conform to the familiar, the comfortable, the mundane. So for the most part, our lives are mediocre instead of exciting, thrilling and fulfilling.
So let us learn to destroy the branch of fear we cling to and free ourselves to the glory of flight.
Months passed and one day the head falconer informed the king that though one of the falcons was flying majestically, soaring high in the sky, the other bird had not moved from its branch since the day it had arrived.
The king summoned healers and sorcerers from all the land to tend to the falcon, but no one could make the bird fly. He presented the task to the member of his court, but the next day, the king saw through the palace window that the bird had still not moved from its perch. Having tried everything else, the king thought to himself, "May be I need someone more familiar with the countryside to understand the nature of this problem." So he cried out to his court, "Go and get a farmer."
In the morning, the king was thrilled to see the falcon soaring high above the palace gardens. He said to his court, "Bring me the doer of this miracle."
The court quickly located the farmer, who came and stood before the king. The king asked him, "How did you make the falcon fly?"
With his head bowed, the farmer said to the king, " It was very easy, your highness. I simply cut the branch where the bird was sitting."
Moral : We are all made to fly -- to realize our incredible potential as human beings. But instead of doing that, we sit on our branches, clinging to the things that are familiar to us. The possibilities are endless, but for most of us, they remain undiscovered. We conform to the familiar, the comfortable, the mundane. So for the most part, our lives are mediocre instead of exciting, thrilling and fulfilling.
So let us learn to destroy the branch of fear we cling to and free ourselves to the glory of flight.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
How to Hire like Warren Buffet:
Warren Buffett has said that when he is looking at his leaders for companies, he evaluates three categories of characteristics:
-- Intelligence
-- Energy
-- Integrity
His fundamental belief is that if a person has 2 of these, the lack of the third can kill a business. Do the fast math on the negative side of the equation:
-- Low integrity, high energy and high intelligence and you have a smart, fast-moving thief
-- Low energy, high intelligence and integrity and you have a shop keeper, not an engine of growth
-- Low intelligence, high energy and integrity and you have strong functionary, but not a great problem solver or visionary
As you look at potential hires, how are you assessing these three categories of characteristics? Behavioral questions are good and standardized tests can be insightful. I like both and use both in my selection processes. In addition, I like exercises and assignments in interviews to provide a clearer picture. Here are some ideas to consider adding to your selection process:
How to find out intelligence -- Tests, puzzles and games are good ways to learn about a person's practical intelligence.
Problem Solving -- Give a candidate five flashlights, one working and four not working. Ask the candidate to take what is available and make as many working flashlights in a 90 second period of time as the candidate can. The point of the exercise is not necessarily how many flashlights that they can get working. It is to see how they solve the problem with a limited amount of instructions and a short time frame.
Strategy -- I know a Sr. VP who won't hire anyone who can't beat him at least one out of three in "Connect Four." Simple game of strategy, easy test. If the job requires thinking ahead as well as responding to change and adjusting approach, this works.
Ingenuity -- A summer intern wanted a job, working full time for my company upon graduation. When we were in London on client assignment, I handed him $100 and a list of specialty items to pick up. They were diverse enough that they could not be picked up in the neighborhood. I told him he had to get the items and be back in 2 hours if he wanted the job. (Side note; He'd never been to London, ridden a subway or exchanged money before). He did well.
You can create your own approaches. My point is that testing and talking only tells you so much. Stretch your approach to get to the real answers.
How to find energy --
Physical -- What physical regimens does the person have? Athletic, eating, meditating? Many jobs require energy and it is great to know the capacity and endurance of your candidates.
Mental -- Ask a candidate to prepare and give you a 10 minute presentation on a relevant topic. Examples include a case study of a past success, a service to sell or a resolution to a common business problem. After they have given it, ask them to take 2 minutes to prepare and re-give the presentation, but in only 5 minutes. After they have given it the second time, have them prepare for 1 minute and then give the presentation in 1 minute.
How to find integrity --
Liars, thieves and the morally deficient are often hard to identify through the interview process. Typically, extensive reference review and digital research can give you a picture. If the person is mission critical and officer level, a full dossier prepared by an investigative service can be of great benefit. No, I'm not kidding.
When you are hiring key people, the cost of mistakes can be terminal to your business. Dig hard to get the answers you need to feel confident that your best candidates have the necessary energy, intelligence and integrity to succeed.
Click here to read the Original Article on CBS News
-- Intelligence
-- Energy
-- Integrity
His fundamental belief is that if a person has 2 of these, the lack of the third can kill a business. Do the fast math on the negative side of the equation:
-- Low integrity, high energy and high intelligence and you have a smart, fast-moving thief
-- Low energy, high intelligence and integrity and you have a shop keeper, not an engine of growth
-- Low intelligence, high energy and integrity and you have strong functionary, but not a great problem solver or visionary
As you look at potential hires, how are you assessing these three categories of characteristics? Behavioral questions are good and standardized tests can be insightful. I like both and use both in my selection processes. In addition, I like exercises and assignments in interviews to provide a clearer picture. Here are some ideas to consider adding to your selection process:
How to find out intelligence -- Tests, puzzles and games are good ways to learn about a person's practical intelligence.
Problem Solving -- Give a candidate five flashlights, one working and four not working. Ask the candidate to take what is available and make as many working flashlights in a 90 second period of time as the candidate can. The point of the exercise is not necessarily how many flashlights that they can get working. It is to see how they solve the problem with a limited amount of instructions and a short time frame.
Strategy -- I know a Sr. VP who won't hire anyone who can't beat him at least one out of three in "Connect Four." Simple game of strategy, easy test. If the job requires thinking ahead as well as responding to change and adjusting approach, this works.
Ingenuity -- A summer intern wanted a job, working full time for my company upon graduation. When we were in London on client assignment, I handed him $100 and a list of specialty items to pick up. They were diverse enough that they could not be picked up in the neighborhood. I told him he had to get the items and be back in 2 hours if he wanted the job. (Side note; He'd never been to London, ridden a subway or exchanged money before). He did well.
You can create your own approaches. My point is that testing and talking only tells you so much. Stretch your approach to get to the real answers.
How to find energy --
Physical -- What physical regimens does the person have? Athletic, eating, meditating? Many jobs require energy and it is great to know the capacity and endurance of your candidates.
Mental -- Ask a candidate to prepare and give you a 10 minute presentation on a relevant topic. Examples include a case study of a past success, a service to sell or a resolution to a common business problem. After they have given it, ask them to take 2 minutes to prepare and re-give the presentation, but in only 5 minutes. After they have given it the second time, have them prepare for 1 minute and then give the presentation in 1 minute.
How to find integrity --
Liars, thieves and the morally deficient are often hard to identify through the interview process. Typically, extensive reference review and digital research can give you a picture. If the person is mission critical and officer level, a full dossier prepared by an investigative service can be of great benefit. No, I'm not kidding.
When you are hiring key people, the cost of mistakes can be terminal to your business. Dig hard to get the answers you need to feel confident that your best candidates have the necessary energy, intelligence and integrity to succeed.
Click here to read the Original Article on CBS News
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
That's TATA:
Following article speaks for itself. Read on to get inspired.
Click the article to enlarge.
Click the article to enlarge.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Steve Jobs : Lessons learnt from India
CEO-author Walter Isaacson, who wrote Steve Jobs' eponymous, authorised biography, says the iconic co-founder of Apple Inc didn't believe in throwing his money away in charity and instead thought his products would help people live better.
"(While writing Steve Jobs) I asked him about charity. He said that he would be able to do more to reform education, for example, by creating an iPad that had interactive textbooks than by being a philanthropist giving his money away. I think that one of things about Jobs is that he focused - he didn't like to do 50 different things," Isaacson, who was in Delhi on a business visit, told reporters. The CEO of Washington-based think tank Aspen Institute, he has earlier authored biographies of luminaries such as Benjamin Franklin and Albert Einstein. Isaacson's Steve Jobs has so far sold more than 1,40,000 copies in India.
The author says he had "close to 50 very long conversations (with Jobs) some of them lasting all afternoon or most of the day" for the purpose of writing the book. "But, he never fully engaged with me on the topic of philanthropy. I asked him a few times. So there were some topics that I felt he didn't fully address such as philanthropy and manufacturing in China. He just wasn't interested in focusing on it. There were things I asked him and I didn't get much of an answer," Isaacson said. Apple, which has hired Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn to make many of its products, has come under sharp attack over harsh labour conditions and worker unrest at the latter's plants in China.
THE IMPERFECT GUY
Isaacson concedes that his book is not about a perfect person. "He (Jobs) would have been a better person had he cared more about philanthropy. But I did admire the fact that he focused on things more important to him. That is the way he helped change the world," he noted.
Among his 'subjects', Isaacson agreed that Einstein was in "a quantum orbit, as a genius who is higher than anybody else". However, he added: "Franklin and Jobs had creativity and imagination that I tried to capture and I do think a hundred years from now people will still be looking back on Steve Jobs the way they look back at Thomas Edison or Walt Disney, people who created lots of things that were very imaginative."
Isaacson, who had also written a biography of former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger, says the experience was "nerve-wracking" because "you are dealing with a strong personality". He had almost decided not to write about a living person until Jobs happened.
"I got to know Steve Jobs a thousand times more about every moment of his life than I would about Franklin or Einstein... I was spending day after day with him telling me everything. It is very rare that a biographer gets as much information and access as Steve was willing to give for this book," he said, emphasising that Jobs' passion for perfection and impatience are inseparable.
INNOVATOR VS DIFFICULT PERSON
"Steve's success as an innovator was more important than the fact that he could yell at people or park in a 'handicapped' slot," he said.
Isaacson says many top execs have told him after reading the book that Jobs was like them because they were tough bosses. "You can't be like Steve just because you are tough. You also have to have people very loyal to you. It is easy to be tough. It is not as easy to be inspiring as Steve was," he said laughing.
"(While writing Steve Jobs) I asked him about charity. He said that he would be able to do more to reform education, for example, by creating an iPad that had interactive textbooks than by being a philanthropist giving his money away. I think that one of things about Jobs is that he focused - he didn't like to do 50 different things," Isaacson, who was in Delhi on a business visit, told reporters. The CEO of Washington-based think tank Aspen Institute, he has earlier authored biographies of luminaries such as Benjamin Franklin and Albert Einstein. Isaacson's Steve Jobs has so far sold more than 1,40,000 copies in India.
The author says he had "close to 50 very long conversations (with Jobs) some of them lasting all afternoon or most of the day" for the purpose of writing the book. "But, he never fully engaged with me on the topic of philanthropy. I asked him a few times. So there were some topics that I felt he didn't fully address such as philanthropy and manufacturing in China. He just wasn't interested in focusing on it. There were things I asked him and I didn't get much of an answer," Isaacson said. Apple, which has hired Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn to make many of its products, has come under sharp attack over harsh labour conditions and worker unrest at the latter's plants in China.
THE IMPERFECT GUY
Isaacson concedes that his book is not about a perfect person. "He (Jobs) would have been a better person had he cared more about philanthropy. But I did admire the fact that he focused on things more important to him. That is the way he helped change the world," he noted.
Among his 'subjects', Isaacson agreed that Einstein was in "a quantum orbit, as a genius who is higher than anybody else". However, he added: "Franklin and Jobs had creativity and imagination that I tried to capture and I do think a hundred years from now people will still be looking back on Steve Jobs the way they look back at Thomas Edison or Walt Disney, people who created lots of things that were very imaginative."
Isaacson, who had also written a biography of former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger, says the experience was "nerve-wracking" because "you are dealing with a strong personality". He had almost decided not to write about a living person until Jobs happened.
"I got to know Steve Jobs a thousand times more about every moment of his life than I would about Franklin or Einstein... I was spending day after day with him telling me everything. It is very rare that a biographer gets as much information and access as Steve was willing to give for this book," he said, emphasising that Jobs' passion for perfection and impatience are inseparable.
INNOVATOR VS DIFFICULT PERSON
"Steve's success as an innovator was more important than the fact that he could yell at people or park in a 'handicapped' slot," he said.
Isaacson says many top execs have told him after reading the book that Jobs was like them because they were tough bosses. "You can't be like Steve just because you are tough. You also have to have people very loyal to you. It is easy to be tough. It is not as easy to be inspiring as Steve was," he said laughing.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Amar Seva Sangam Ramakrishnan : An Inspirational Life
“My body does not work. I have no sensation neck down. But I am still me.” After 37 years in a wheelchair, S. Ramakrishnan, founder-president of Amar Seva Sangam (ASS) in Tirunelveli, smiles when he tells the story of his life. That smile reveals his inner convictions and proves that life does not end with a grievous injury.
“I didn't want to belong to the dead,” he adds. “The Almighty and the people around me believed that I could take care of myself.”
“The date was 10th January, a cold winter morning in Bangalore in 1975.” Ramakrishnan's razor sharp memory battles daily with his limp body.
He remembers names and faces, every minor and major date and incident in his life as if it happened yesterday.
The youth from Ayikudy, five kilometres from Tenkasi, had left for the big city to live his dream. A Fourth Year mechanical engineering student at the Government College of Technology in Coimbatore and an NCC cadet, he was enthusiastic about a career in the Navy.
Ramakrishnan recalls the gruelling rounds of interviews and endurance tests spread over four days. In the final round on the last day, he was asked to negotiate 10 obstacles in three minutes. In the fourth obstacle he had to leap 15 feet from a tree on to a platform and another 10 feet to the ground.
“I was in a hurry and fell on my back. Obviously God had other plans for me,” he says. There was no external injury but the crash dislocated and fractured his cervical spine. “I remember telling the guards who lifted me that my hands are missing and to search for them in the grounds. They lifted and showed me my hands still attached to my shoulders. The loss of sensation was instant.”
The battle begins
He battled medical complications for 19 months at the Air Force Hospital in Kirkee, Pune. As his batchmates came to visit him before the start of the academic year, he realized he would not finish the course.
At the hospital, he found his guide and friend in orthopaedist Air Marshall Dr. Amar Singh Chahal, after whom, six years later, he named his Sangam. “He taught me to acquire wheelchair independence. He prepared me to understand that I will have to live the rest of my life with a dysfunctional body and never be able to do any of those things I took for granted earlier.”
Once Ramakrishnan returned to his village, he began learning to live with his disability. He developed leg spasms. He couldn't lift his hands even to slap a mosquito. His sweat glands became non-functional and he became intolerant to variation in temperatures due to profuse sweating. The initial years were tough but his parents, siblings, friends, neighbours, relatives and later his wife stood by him.
“Once I realized there was no denying my condition, I was keen to know what was in store for me. I wanted to continue living life to the fullest.” Ramakrishnan toyed with the idea of starting a printing press or a match stick factory. And there were times when he was depressed. “But I couldn't have even committed suicide without anybody's help,” he laughs. The radio was his constant companion, and it was during the International Year of the Disabled in 1981 that some programmes and the advice of a relative sparked off a dream.
He started a school for children with disabilities on a piece of land gifted by his parents, with five students under a thatched shed.
He simultaneously launched health awareness camps in the villages and started gaining recognition among the locals.
Publicity helped
Sivasankari's article on ASS in a magazine earned him public trust and support. A friend's father wrote about ASS's work to the then President of India and to cricketer Vijay Merchant. Merchant then invited him to Mumbai, where another newspaper article made his work known.
Today, the ASS's comprehensive services are spread over a campus of 30 acres supporting more than 300 families who have physically or mentally challenged kids. Ramakrishnan's self-rehabilitation, spirit of service and sense of independence attract people to him who willingly offer their services. One of them is S. Shankar Raman, currently the secretary of ASS, who has muscular dystrophy. The other is his wife, Chitra, who was earlier a teacher at ASS. “I did not take sympathy on him but fell in love with his spirit and commitment. I look after him, but he looks after so many disadvantaged others,” she says.
The organization and its founder have won many awards. “It is the recognition of my team's work,” says Ramakrishnan. A dedicated band of teachers, doctors and other staff teaches skills in daily activities and provides education and vocational training.
The students get free shelter, food, clothing, transportation, mobility appliances, physiotherapy and medical attention. As a result, they are daring to dream. Many are also living their dreams.
What Ramakrishnan dreamt as a young boy did not happen. “But what I had not planned has also happened. Nobody leads a predictable or problem-free life. It all depends on how we react to every situation.”
“God keeps my spirits up,” he says. “And I am blessed to have helpful friends and family as support system. In my next birth, I wish to help all those who helped me in this life.”
“I didn't want to belong to the dead,” he adds. “The Almighty and the people around me believed that I could take care of myself.”
And he did. After a near-fatal accident when he was barely 20, he learned to live all over again. Today he heads the country's largest establishment offering services for the differently abled in rural areas. The Sangam rehabilitates and empowers people with physical and mental impairment. In its three decades, it has embraced 330 villages in four blocks of Tirunelveli District touching a population of six lakhs.
Just back from Mumbai after receiving the IBN7 Super Idols Award for Lifetime Achievement-2012, Ramakrishnan says, “Life is all about choices. The ability to succeed is a direct reflection of the ability to try.”“The date was 10th January, a cold winter morning in Bangalore in 1975.” Ramakrishnan's razor sharp memory battles daily with his limp body.
He remembers names and faces, every minor and major date and incident in his life as if it happened yesterday.
The youth from Ayikudy, five kilometres from Tenkasi, had left for the big city to live his dream. A Fourth Year mechanical engineering student at the Government College of Technology in Coimbatore and an NCC cadet, he was enthusiastic about a career in the Navy.
Ramakrishnan recalls the gruelling rounds of interviews and endurance tests spread over four days. In the final round on the last day, he was asked to negotiate 10 obstacles in three minutes. In the fourth obstacle he had to leap 15 feet from a tree on to a platform and another 10 feet to the ground.
“I was in a hurry and fell on my back. Obviously God had other plans for me,” he says. There was no external injury but the crash dislocated and fractured his cervical spine. “I remember telling the guards who lifted me that my hands are missing and to search for them in the grounds. They lifted and showed me my hands still attached to my shoulders. The loss of sensation was instant.”
The battle begins
He battled medical complications for 19 months at the Air Force Hospital in Kirkee, Pune. As his batchmates came to visit him before the start of the academic year, he realized he would not finish the course.
At the hospital, he found his guide and friend in orthopaedist Air Marshall Dr. Amar Singh Chahal, after whom, six years later, he named his Sangam. “He taught me to acquire wheelchair independence. He prepared me to understand that I will have to live the rest of my life with a dysfunctional body and never be able to do any of those things I took for granted earlier.”
Once Ramakrishnan returned to his village, he began learning to live with his disability. He developed leg spasms. He couldn't lift his hands even to slap a mosquito. His sweat glands became non-functional and he became intolerant to variation in temperatures due to profuse sweating. The initial years were tough but his parents, siblings, friends, neighbours, relatives and later his wife stood by him.
“Once I realized there was no denying my condition, I was keen to know what was in store for me. I wanted to continue living life to the fullest.” Ramakrishnan toyed with the idea of starting a printing press or a match stick factory. And there were times when he was depressed. “But I couldn't have even committed suicide without anybody's help,” he laughs. The radio was his constant companion, and it was during the International Year of the Disabled in 1981 that some programmes and the advice of a relative sparked off a dream.
He started a school for children with disabilities on a piece of land gifted by his parents, with five students under a thatched shed.
He simultaneously launched health awareness camps in the villages and started gaining recognition among the locals.
Publicity helped
Sivasankari's article on ASS in a magazine earned him public trust and support. A friend's father wrote about ASS's work to the then President of India and to cricketer Vijay Merchant. Merchant then invited him to Mumbai, where another newspaper article made his work known.
Today, the ASS's comprehensive services are spread over a campus of 30 acres supporting more than 300 families who have physically or mentally challenged kids. Ramakrishnan's self-rehabilitation, spirit of service and sense of independence attract people to him who willingly offer their services. One of them is S. Shankar Raman, currently the secretary of ASS, who has muscular dystrophy. The other is his wife, Chitra, who was earlier a teacher at ASS. “I did not take sympathy on him but fell in love with his spirit and commitment. I look after him, but he looks after so many disadvantaged others,” she says.
The organization and its founder have won many awards. “It is the recognition of my team's work,” says Ramakrishnan. A dedicated band of teachers, doctors and other staff teaches skills in daily activities and provides education and vocational training.
The students get free shelter, food, clothing, transportation, mobility appliances, physiotherapy and medical attention. As a result, they are daring to dream. Many are also living their dreams.
What Ramakrishnan dreamt as a young boy did not happen. “But what I had not planned has also happened. Nobody leads a predictable or problem-free life. It all depends on how we react to every situation.”
“God keeps my spirits up,” he says. “And I am blessed to have helpful friends and family as support system. In my next birth, I wish to help all those who helped me in this life.”
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Steve Jobs - Tribute
Steven Paul "Steve" Jobs (February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011)
"Steve and I first met nearly 30 years ago, and have been colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives. The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come. For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honor."
- Mr.Bill Gates, Microsoft Co-Founder And Chairman
"Steve Jobs was a great friend as well as a trusted advisor. His legacy will extend far beyond the products he created or the businesses he built. It will be the millions of people he inspired, the lives he changed, and the culture he defined. Steve was such an 'original,' with a thoroughly creative, imaginative mind that defined an era. Despite all he accomplished, it feels like he was just getting started."
- Bob Iger, CEO Of Walt Disney Company
"He was a great man with incredible achievements and amazing brilliance. He always seemed to be able to say in very few words what you actually should have been thinking before you thought it. His focus on the user experience above all else has always been an inspiration to me."
-Larry Page, CEO Of Google, On Google+
"The world is a better place because of Steve, and the stories our company tells have been made richer by the products he created. He was a dynamic and fearless competitor, collaborator, and friend. In a society that has seen incredible technological innovation during our lifetimes, Steve may be the one true icon whose legacy will be remembered for a thousand years."
-Jeff Bewkes, CEO Of Time Warner
"Once in a rare while, somebody comes along who doesn't just raise the bar, they create an entirely new standard of measurement.
-Dick Costolo, CEO Of Twitter, On Twitter
"Steve Jobs was a visionary and a wonderful friend of The New York Times. He pushed the boundaries of how all providers of news and information interact with our users. I am among the many who deeply regret his passing."
-Arthur Sulzberger, Chairman Of The New York Times Company
"Steve was one of a kind. For many of us working in technology and entertainment, Steve was a new kind of hero that lead with big, bold moves and would not settle for less than perfection. He is the best role model for a leader that aspires to be great."
- John Riccitiello, CEO Of Electronic Arts
"VISIONARIES are always called CRAZY in the beginning.
A VISIONARY sees things that everybody else says is IMPOSSIBLE,
sees a World that People can't invision (sic)-MAC, IPOD, IPAD, IPHONE, ITUNES and PIXAR.
I have nothing but Love for Mr. Jobs and Apple, they have always given me and my films L-O-V-E.
Peace and Blessings to his family."
-Spike Lee, Producer/Director/Actor, On Twitter
Ratan Tata (Chairman TATA & Sons): He has changed the way of life of many. Apple's products, under his leadership, have had a profound impact on mankind, unequalled by any other company in the information and technology space
Sunil Bharti Mittal (Chairman Bharti Airtel): He was a visionary and true pioneer, and his strong personality turned Apple into a cult brand that is loved across the world. Steve has left an indelible mark on the technology industry, and his spirit of innovation will be an inspiration to millions for a long time to come
Steven Spielberg : Steve Jobs was the greatest inventor since Thomas Edison. He put the world at our fingertips
Steve Wozniak : It's kind of like when John Lennon died, or JFK... I'm a little bit, like, awestruck, just dumbfounded, and I can't put my mind into gear Robert Iger: Despite all he accomplished, it feels like he was just getting started
Eric Schmidt: He was able in his mind to imagine what would happen when things were 10 times faster or 100 times faster and start to think about how the technology evolves... Everything he did, he was two or three or four steps ahead in thinking
Howard Stringer: The digital age has lost its leading light, but Steve's innovation and creativity will inspire dreamers and thinkers for generations
Arianna Huffington: Thank you for changing our world.
Michael Bloomberg: Tonight, America lost a genius who will be remembered with Edison and Einstein, and whose ideas will shape the world for generations to come
N Chandrasekaran (TCS CEO): No one has shaped the technology revolution like Steve Jobs. From the Macs and Pixar's animation; from the iPod to the iPad, Jobs has driven disruptions across many industries using technology and innovation
Suhel Seth: Barack Obama should be there at Steve Jobs' funeral...to show the world that America can engage the world through innovation, not war
Swati Piramal : Thank you Steve. U touch our lives everyday. We will miss u
Steve Jobs : 1955-2011
Steven Paul "Steve" Jobs (February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011)
"Steve was among the greatest of American innovators
- brave enough to think differently,
-bold enough to believe he could change the world,
-and talented enough to do it."
- Barack Obama
"Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend.
Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world.
I will miss you."
- Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder
"He not only gave me a lot of personal advice and encouragement,
he showed all of us how innovation can change lives."
- Jerry Yang, Yahoo! co-founder
"For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him,
it's been an insanely great honor."
- Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder
Some key quotes from Steve Jobs:
COMMENCEMENT SPEECH AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY, 2005
"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything -- all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure -- these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma -- which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice."
ALLTHINGSD CONFERENCE, 2010
"There's nothing that makes my day more than getting an e-mail from some random person in the universe who just bought an iPad over in the UK and tells me the story about how it's the coolest product they've ever brought home in their lives. That's what keeps me going. It's what kept me five years ago, it's what kept me going 10 years ago when the doors were almost closed. And it's what will keep me going five years from now whatever happens."
INTERVIEW WITH PLAYBOY MAGAZINE, 1985
"I don't think I've ever worked so hard on something, but working on Macintosh was the neatest experience of my life. Almost everyone who worked on it will say that. None of us wanted to release it at the end. It was as though we knew that once it was out of our hands, it wouldn't be ours anymore. When we finally presented it at the shareholders' meeting, everyone in the auditorium stood up and gave it a 5-minute ovation. What was incredible to me was that I could see the Mac team in the first few rows. It was as though none of us could believe that we'd actually finished it. Everyone started crying."
APPLE PRODUCT LAUNCH, JUNE 2011
"One more thing ..."
INTERVIEW WITH BUSINESS WEEK, 2004
"Innovation comes from people meeting up in the hallways or calling each other at 10:30 at night with a new idea, or because they realized something that shoots holes in how we've been thinking about a problem. It's ad hoc meetings of six people called by someone who thinks he has figured out the coolest new thing ever and who wants to know what other people think of his idea."
"And it comes from saying no to 1,000 things to make sure we don't get on the wrong track or try to do too much. We're always thinking about new markets we could enter, but it's only by saying no that you can concentrate on the things that are really important."
INTERVIEW WITH FORTUNE MAGAZINE, 2000
"In most people's vocabularies, design means veneer. It's interior decorating. It's the fabric of the curtains and the sofa. But to me, nothing could be further from the meaning of design. Design is the fundamental soul of a man-made creation that ends up expressing itself in successive outer layers of the product or service."
"My position coming back to Apple was that our industry was in a coma. It reminded me of Detroit in the '70s, when American cars were boats on wheels."
COMMENT TO NEW YORK TIMES REPORTER WHO ASKED ABOUT JOBS HEALTH, 2008
"You think I'm an arrogant who thinks he's above the law,
and I think you're a slime bucket who gets most of his facts wrong."
INTERVIEW WITH WIRED, 1996
"These technologies can make life easier, can let us touch people we might not otherwise. You may have a child with a birth defect and be able to get in touch with other parents and support groups, get medical information, the latest experimental drugs. These things can profoundly influence life. I'm not downplaying that. But it's a disservice to constantly put things in this radical new light -- that it's going to change everything. Things don't have to change the world to be important."
"Steve was among the greatest of American innovators
- brave enough to think differently,
-bold enough to believe he could change the world,
-and talented enough to do it."
- Barack Obama
"Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend.
Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world.
I will miss you."
- Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder
"He not only gave me a lot of personal advice and encouragement,
he showed all of us how innovation can change lives."
- Jerry Yang, Yahoo! co-founder
"For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him,
it's been an insanely great honor."
- Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder
Some key quotes from Steve Jobs:
COMMENCEMENT SPEECH AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY, 2005
"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything -- all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure -- these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma -- which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice."
ALLTHINGSD CONFERENCE, 2010
"There's nothing that makes my day more than getting an e-mail from some random person in the universe who just bought an iPad over in the UK and tells me the story about how it's the coolest product they've ever brought home in their lives. That's what keeps me going. It's what kept me five years ago, it's what kept me going 10 years ago when the doors were almost closed. And it's what will keep me going five years from now whatever happens."
INTERVIEW WITH PLAYBOY MAGAZINE, 1985
"I don't think I've ever worked so hard on something, but working on Macintosh was the neatest experience of my life. Almost everyone who worked on it will say that. None of us wanted to release it at the end. It was as though we knew that once it was out of our hands, it wouldn't be ours anymore. When we finally presented it at the shareholders' meeting, everyone in the auditorium stood up and gave it a 5-minute ovation. What was incredible to me was that I could see the Mac team in the first few rows. It was as though none of us could believe that we'd actually finished it. Everyone started crying."
APPLE PRODUCT LAUNCH, JUNE 2011
"One more thing ..."
INTERVIEW WITH BUSINESS WEEK, 2004
"Innovation comes from people meeting up in the hallways or calling each other at 10:30 at night with a new idea, or because they realized something that shoots holes in how we've been thinking about a problem. It's ad hoc meetings of six people called by someone who thinks he has figured out the coolest new thing ever and who wants to know what other people think of his idea."
"And it comes from saying no to 1,000 things to make sure we don't get on the wrong track or try to do too much. We're always thinking about new markets we could enter, but it's only by saying no that you can concentrate on the things that are really important."
INTERVIEW WITH FORTUNE MAGAZINE, 2000
"In most people's vocabularies, design means veneer. It's interior decorating. It's the fabric of the curtains and the sofa. But to me, nothing could be further from the meaning of design. Design is the fundamental soul of a man-made creation that ends up expressing itself in successive outer layers of the product or service."
"My position coming back to Apple was that our industry was in a coma. It reminded me of Detroit in the '70s, when American cars were boats on wheels."
COMMENT TO NEW YORK TIMES REPORTER WHO ASKED ABOUT JOBS HEALTH, 2008
"You think I'm an arrogant who thinks he's above the law,
and I think you're a slime bucket who gets most of his facts wrong."
INTERVIEW WITH WIRED, 1996
"These technologies can make life easier, can let us touch people we might not otherwise. You may have a child with a birth defect and be able to get in touch with other parents and support groups, get medical information, the latest experimental drugs. These things can profoundly influence life. I'm not downplaying that. But it's a disservice to constantly put things in this radical new light -- that it's going to change everything. Things don't have to change the world to be important."
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Life of Leonardo Da Vinci
Leonardo Da Vinci is credited with lots of contributions to science & Art. Apart from his epic work of Last supper or Mono Lisa, Leonarda was associated with lots of engineering models, many of them related to military machineries. Though these models have been tested today and is acting as a big source of inspiration in today's world, during his life Leonardo's models were never tested and put to use. One of the reasons for such 'unnotified' attitude in Rome could have been the emergence of lots of genius during the Life of Leonarda. For instance Michelangelo was 23 years junior to Leonorda. But Michelangelo had a very quick career jump due to his excellence in sculpture : be it David or Pieta or Sistine chappel cealing painting. As a result, Leornado's real talent seem to have been less appreciated during his life time.
Below menioned is a chronology during the Life of Leonardo:
.
From September 1513 to 1516, Leonardo spent much of his time living in the Belvedere in the Vatican in Rome, where Raphael and Michelangelo were both active at the time. In October 1515, Francis I of France recaptured Milan. On December 19, Leonardo was present at the meeting of Francis I and Pope Leo X, which took place in Bologna. It was for Francis that Leonardo was commissioned to make a mechanical lion which could walk forward, then open its chest to reveal a cluster of lilies. In 1516, he entered François' service, being given the use of the manor house Clos Lucé near the king's residence at the royal Château d'Amboise. It was here that he spent the last three years of his life, accompanied by his friend and apprentice, Count Francesco Melzi, supported by a pension totalling 10,000 scudi.
Leonardo died at Clos Lucé, on May 2, 1519. Francis I had become a close friend. Vasari records that the King held Leonardo's head in his arms as he died, although this story, beloved by the French and portrayed in romantic paintings by Ingres, Ménageot and other French artists, as well as by Angelica Kauffmann, may be legend rather than fact.
Leonardo's friend Vasari tells us that in his last days, Leonardo sent for a priest to make his confession and to receive the Holy Sacrament.[40] In accordance to his will, sixty beggars followed his casket. He was buried in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert in Château d'Amboise. Melzi was the principal heir and executor, receiving as well as money, Leonardo's paintings, tools, library and personal effects. Leonardo also remembered his other long-time pupil and companion, Salai and his servant Battista di Vilussis, who each received half of Leonardo's vineyards, his brothers who received land, and his serving woman who received a black cloak "of good stuff" with a fur edge.
Some twenty years after Leonardo's death, French King Francis was reported by the goldsmith and sculptor Benevenuto Cellini as saying: "There had never been another man born in the world who knew as much as Leonardo, not so much about painting, sculpture and architecture, as that he was a very great philosopher."
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Money is Yours, but resources belong to .....
Following is an observation by a student who travelled to Germany recently:
...........................................................................
Germany is a highly industrialized country. It produces top brands like Benz, BMW, Siemens etc. The nuclear reactor pump is made in a small town in this country.
In such a country, many will think that its people lead a luxurious life. At least that was my impression before my study trip.
When I arrived at Hamburg, my colleagues, who works in Hamburg, arranged a welcome party for me in a restaurant. As we walked into the restaurant, we noticed that a lot of tables were empty. There was a table where a young couple was having their meal. There were only two dishes and two cans of beer on the table. I wondered if such a simple meal could be romantic and whether the girl will leave this stingy guy.
There were a few old ladies on another table. When a dish is served, the waiter would distribute the food for them and they would finish every bit of the food in plates.
We did not pay much attention to them, as we were looking forward to the dishes we ordered. As we were hungry, our local colleague ordered more food for us.
As the restaurant was quiet, the food came quite fast. Since there were other activities arranged for us, we did not spend much time dining. When we left, there was still about one third of unconsumed food on the table.
When we were leaving the restaurant, we heard someone calling us. We noticed the old ladies in the restaurant were talking about us to the restaurant owner. When they spoke to us in English, we understood that they were unhappy about us wasting so much food. We immediately felt that they were really being too busybody.
"We paid for our food, it is none of your business how much food we left behind", my colleague told the old ladies.
The old ladies were furious. One of them immediately took her hand phone out and made a call to someone. After a while, a man in uniform claiming to be an officer from the Social Security organisation arrived. Upon knowing what the dispute was, he issued us a 50Mark fine. We all kept quiet. The local colleague took out a 50Mark note and repeatedly apologized to the officer.
The officer told us in a stern voice, "ORDER WHAT YOU CAN CONSUME, MONEY IS YOURS BUT RESOURCES BELONG TO THE SOCIETY. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS IN THE WORLD WHO ARE FACING SHORTAGE OF RESOURCES. YOU HAVE NO REASON TO WASTE RESOURCES”.
Our faces turned red. We all agreed with him in our hearts. The mindset of people of this rich country put all of us to shame. WE REALLY NEED TO REFLECT ON THIS. We are from a country which is not very rich in resources. To save face, we order large quantity and also waste food when we give others a treat. THIS LESSON TAUGHT US A LESSON TO THINK SERIOUSLY ABOUT CHANGING OUR BAD HABITS.
...........................................................................
Germany is a highly industrialized country. It produces top brands like Benz, BMW, Siemens etc. The nuclear reactor pump is made in a small town in this country.
In such a country, many will think that its people lead a luxurious life. At least that was my impression before my study trip.
When I arrived at Hamburg, my colleagues, who works in Hamburg, arranged a welcome party for me in a restaurant. As we walked into the restaurant, we noticed that a lot of tables were empty. There was a table where a young couple was having their meal. There were only two dishes and two cans of beer on the table. I wondered if such a simple meal could be romantic and whether the girl will leave this stingy guy.
There were a few old ladies on another table. When a dish is served, the waiter would distribute the food for them and they would finish every bit of the food in plates.
We did not pay much attention to them, as we were looking forward to the dishes we ordered. As we were hungry, our local colleague ordered more food for us.
As the restaurant was quiet, the food came quite fast. Since there were other activities arranged for us, we did not spend much time dining. When we left, there was still about one third of unconsumed food on the table.
When we were leaving the restaurant, we heard someone calling us. We noticed the old ladies in the restaurant were talking about us to the restaurant owner. When they spoke to us in English, we understood that they were unhappy about us wasting so much food. We immediately felt that they were really being too busybody.
"We paid for our food, it is none of your business how much food we left behind", my colleague told the old ladies.
The old ladies were furious. One of them immediately took her hand phone out and made a call to someone. After a while, a man in uniform claiming to be an officer from the Social Security organisation arrived. Upon knowing what the dispute was, he issued us a 50Mark fine. We all kept quiet. The local colleague took out a 50Mark note and repeatedly apologized to the officer.
The officer told us in a stern voice, "ORDER WHAT YOU CAN CONSUME, MONEY IS YOURS BUT RESOURCES BELONG TO THE SOCIETY. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS IN THE WORLD WHO ARE FACING SHORTAGE OF RESOURCES. YOU HAVE NO REASON TO WASTE RESOURCES”.
Our faces turned red. We all agreed with him in our hearts. The mindset of people of this rich country put all of us to shame. WE REALLY NEED TO REFLECT ON THIS. We are from a country which is not very rich in resources. To save face, we order large quantity and also waste food when we give others a treat. THIS LESSON TAUGHT US A LESSON TO THINK SERIOUSLY ABOUT CHANGING OUR BAD HABITS.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Let's Learn from Jap's :
The reaction of Japanese people in the wake of recent natural calamity of earthquack+Tsunami is amaxing. There are many lessons to learn. Here are a few:
1. Within the first hour Japanese authorities had assessed the
scale of the problem and had announced that they will accept
international assistance.
2. In the 2nd hour the Japanese PM held a press conference stating
that a special task force has been set up and he was in charge of it.
Gives great confidence to the people.
3. There was constant and clear communication from the people in
charge be it the PM, cabinet secretary, met department, police, atomic
department ... etc. In India all communication shuts when they are needed the most.
4. Be prepared. Japan know that it is prone to earthquakes, so it does its utmost to have make people aware, drills, adherence to
building codes etc. They have Created stock shelters.
5. Co-ordination with and assistance provided to foreign search and rescue crews from the time they landed.
6. Civil defense swings into action: Shelters were opened up. Emergency packs of rations, blankets, kits etc. were handed out. Civil defense volunteers guided people in shelters, co-ordinated and kept records.
What the world citizens need to learn from the people of Japan.
1.Orderly
Building evacuations, hard hats, gathering in open places,
queuing up at public pay phones to connect with their loved ones. At
the shelters they would throw the packing material into dustbins.
Imagine they even thought of dustbins for packing material of the
kits. Compare that with the newly opened Wankhede cricket stadium in
Mumbai, there is not a dustbin in sight, litter everywhere.
2. Civic sense
In light of such devastation and personal tragedy people still
queued up to collect their emergency rations, blankets, fill up at
petrol pumps, buy essentials at supermarkets or get their water
rations.
In India, Pakistan, Indonesia or any developing country we
would have seen mad scramble to be the first and get the most.
In US there would have been widespread looting and anarchy.
3. Civility
In spite of tragic losses and unaccounted loved ones people
still thank those that assist them, bow with respect, no shouting,
screaming or mass hysteria in front of TV cameras. Not a word against
the government.
The calmness of the people in the shelters is amazing. Are
they resigned to their fate of losing loved ones or whatever they own,
shock, restrained emotions?
May we the people of world learn from the people of Japan.
In a way government and citizen's response feeds on each other.
Japan's culture of obedience, respect for elders and affinity to
detail enabled the government to build systems for such situations.
The Government respects its citizens and provides for them and in turn
earn the respect from the citizens.
TV reporting
1. NHK World stuck to factual reporting. I believe this is the
best reporting style that should be adopted during a crisis.
2. CNN, BBC - with round the clock coverage anchors ran out of
ideas so they had similar innane and stupid questions like the ones we
see in a plethora of India's news channels. Guess anchors &
journalists are the same world over.
3. English news channels in India can't get away from their
sensationalism style. They need to learn to modulate. Constant high
decibel blaring ( the likes of Manoj Tiwari or Arnab ) is irritating and counter productive.
.....................................................................................
10 things to learn frm japan-
1. THE CALM : Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself has been elevated.
2. THE DIGNITY : Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word or a crude gesture.
3. THE ABILITY : The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn't fall.
4. THE GRACE : People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get something.
5. THE ORDER : No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads. Just understanding.
6. THE SACRIFICE : Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How will they ever be repaid?
7. THE TENDERNESS : Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak.
8. THE TRAINING : The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did just that.
9. THE MEDIA : They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only calm reportage.
10. THE CONSCIENCE : When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly
1. Within the first hour Japanese authorities had assessed the
scale of the problem and had announced that they will accept
international assistance.
2. In the 2nd hour the Japanese PM held a press conference stating
that a special task force has been set up and he was in charge of it.
Gives great confidence to the people.
3. There was constant and clear communication from the people in
charge be it the PM, cabinet secretary, met department, police, atomic
department ... etc. In India all communication shuts when they are needed the most.
4. Be prepared. Japan know that it is prone to earthquakes, so it does its utmost to have make people aware, drills, adherence to
building codes etc. They have Created stock shelters.
5. Co-ordination with and assistance provided to foreign search and rescue crews from the time they landed.
6. Civil defense swings into action: Shelters were opened up. Emergency packs of rations, blankets, kits etc. were handed out. Civil defense volunteers guided people in shelters, co-ordinated and kept records.
What the world citizens need to learn from the people of Japan.
1.Orderly
Building evacuations, hard hats, gathering in open places,
queuing up at public pay phones to connect with their loved ones. At
the shelters they would throw the packing material into dustbins.
Imagine they even thought of dustbins for packing material of the
kits. Compare that with the newly opened Wankhede cricket stadium in
Mumbai, there is not a dustbin in sight, litter everywhere.
2. Civic sense
In light of such devastation and personal tragedy people still
queued up to collect their emergency rations, blankets, fill up at
petrol pumps, buy essentials at supermarkets or get their water
rations.
In India, Pakistan, Indonesia or any developing country we
would have seen mad scramble to be the first and get the most.
In US there would have been widespread looting and anarchy.
3. Civility
In spite of tragic losses and unaccounted loved ones people
still thank those that assist them, bow with respect, no shouting,
screaming or mass hysteria in front of TV cameras. Not a word against
the government.
The calmness of the people in the shelters is amazing. Are
they resigned to their fate of losing loved ones or whatever they own,
shock, restrained emotions?
May we the people of world learn from the people of Japan.
In a way government and citizen's response feeds on each other.
Japan's culture of obedience, respect for elders and affinity to
detail enabled the government to build systems for such situations.
The Government respects its citizens and provides for them and in turn
earn the respect from the citizens.
TV reporting
1. NHK World stuck to factual reporting. I believe this is the
best reporting style that should be adopted during a crisis.
2. CNN, BBC - with round the clock coverage anchors ran out of
ideas so they had similar innane and stupid questions like the ones we
see in a plethora of India's news channels. Guess anchors &
journalists are the same world over.
3. English news channels in India can't get away from their
sensationalism style. They need to learn to modulate. Constant high
decibel blaring ( the likes of Manoj Tiwari or Arnab ) is irritating and counter productive.
.....................................................................................
10 things to learn frm japan-
1. THE CALM : Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself has been elevated.
2. THE DIGNITY : Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word or a crude gesture.
3. THE ABILITY : The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn't fall.
4. THE GRACE : People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get something.
5. THE ORDER : No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads. Just understanding.
6. THE SACRIFICE : Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How will they ever be repaid?
7. THE TENDERNESS : Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak.
8. THE TRAINING : The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did just that.
9. THE MEDIA : They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only calm reportage.
10. THE CONSCIENCE : When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Secrets of Success
Once a young man asked Socrates the secretes of Success. Socrates told the young man to meet him near the river next morning.
They met.
Socrates asked the young man to walk with him into the river. When the water got up to their neck, Socrates took the young man by surprise and ducked him into water. The boy struggled to get out, but Socrates was so strong and kept him there until the boy started turning blue. Socrates pulled his head out of water and the first thing the young man did was to gasp and take a deep breath of air.
Socrates asked, "What did you want the most when you were there ? "
The boy replied "Air"
Socrates replied, "That is the secrete to success. When you want success as badly as you wanted the air, you will succeed. There is no other secret."
Morale of the story : A burning desire is the starting point of all accomplishment. Just like a small fire cannot give much heat,
a weak desire cannot produce great results.
They met.
Socrates asked the young man to walk with him into the river. When the water got up to their neck, Socrates took the young man by surprise and ducked him into water. The boy struggled to get out, but Socrates was so strong and kept him there until the boy started turning blue. Socrates pulled his head out of water and the first thing the young man did was to gasp and take a deep breath of air.
Socrates asked, "What did you want the most when you were there ? "
The boy replied "Air"
Socrates replied, "That is the secrete to success. When you want success as badly as you wanted the air, you will succeed. There is no other secret."
Morale of the story : A burning desire is the starting point of all accomplishment. Just like a small fire cannot give much heat,
a weak desire cannot produce great results.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Mind-set of An Ant
Sometimes the biggest lessons in life come from the smallest folks around us.
===========================================================
All of us tend to look up to big people for lessons on how to get better. We are keen to learn the secrets of their success. But we forget that sometimes the biggest lessons in life come from the smallest folks around us. Now that’s a good lesson to remember!
Take ants for instance. Would you believe those small creatures can teach us how to live a better life? Jim Rohn - the great motivational guru – developed what he called the ‘Ants Philosophy’.
He identified four key lessons from the behaviour of ants that can help us lead better lives. Jim Rohn is no more – but his messages continue to inspire. Here then, are the four lessons from Rohn’s ‘Ants Philosophy’.
1. Ants never quit. Have you noticed how ants always look for a way around an obstacle? Put your finger in an ant’s path and it will try and go around it, or over it. It will keep looking for a way out. It won’t just stand there and stare. It won’t give up and go back.
We should all learn to be like that. There will always be obstacles in our lives. The challenge is to keep trying, keep looking for alternative routes to get to our goals. Winston Churchill probably paraphrased the ant’s mindset when he offered this priceless advice: “Never give up. Never, never give up!”
2. Ants think winter all summer. Remember the old story of the ant and the grasshopper? In the middle of summer, the ant was busy gathering food for the winter ahead – while the grasshopper was out having a good time. Ants know that summer - the good times – won’t last forever. Winters will come. That’s a good lesson to remember. When the going is good, don’t be so arrogant as to believe that a crisis or a setback cannot happen to you. Be good to other people. Save for a rainy day. Look ahead. And remember, good times may not last, but good people do.
3. Ants think summer all winter. As they suffer through the unbearable cold of the winter, ants keep reminding themselves that it won’t last forever, and that summer will soon be here. And with the first rays of the summer sun, the ants come out – ready to work, ready to play. When we are down and seemingly out, when we go through what looks like a never-ending crisis, it’s good to remind ourselves that this too shall pass. Good times will come. It’s important to retain a positive attitude, an attitude that says things will get better. As the old saying goes, tough times don’t last. Tough people do.
4. Ants do all they possibly can. How much food does an ant gather in summer? All that it possibly can! Now that’s a great work ethic to have. Do all you can! One ant doesn’t worry about how much food another ant is collecting. It does not sit back and wonder why it should have to work so hard. Nor does it complain about the poor pay! Ants just do their bit. They gather all the food they can. Success and happiness are usually the result of giving 100% - doing all you possibly can. If you look around you, you’ll find that successful people are those who just do all they possibly can.
Follow the four simple steps of Jim Rohn’s ‘Ant Philosophy’ – and you’ll see the difference. Don’t quit. Look ahead. Stay positive. And do all you can.
And there’s just one more lesson to learn from ants. Did you know that an ant can carry objects up to 20 times their own weight? Maybe we are like that too. We can carry burdens on our shoulders and manage workloads that are far, far heavier than we’d imagine. Next time something’s bothering you and weighing you down, and you feel you just can’t carry on, don’t fret. Think of the little ant. And remember, you too can carry a lot more on your shoulders!
...................................................................................
Authored by Prakash Iyer is MD, Kimberly-Clark and Executive Coach.
===========================================================
All of us tend to look up to big people for lessons on how to get better. We are keen to learn the secrets of their success. But we forget that sometimes the biggest lessons in life come from the smallest folks around us. Now that’s a good lesson to remember!
Take ants for instance. Would you believe those small creatures can teach us how to live a better life? Jim Rohn - the great motivational guru – developed what he called the ‘Ants Philosophy’.
He identified four key lessons from the behaviour of ants that can help us lead better lives. Jim Rohn is no more – but his messages continue to inspire. Here then, are the four lessons from Rohn’s ‘Ants Philosophy’.
1. Ants never quit. Have you noticed how ants always look for a way around an obstacle? Put your finger in an ant’s path and it will try and go around it, or over it. It will keep looking for a way out. It won’t just stand there and stare. It won’t give up and go back.
We should all learn to be like that. There will always be obstacles in our lives. The challenge is to keep trying, keep looking for alternative routes to get to our goals. Winston Churchill probably paraphrased the ant’s mindset when he offered this priceless advice: “Never give up. Never, never give up!”
2. Ants think winter all summer. Remember the old story of the ant and the grasshopper? In the middle of summer, the ant was busy gathering food for the winter ahead – while the grasshopper was out having a good time. Ants know that summer - the good times – won’t last forever. Winters will come. That’s a good lesson to remember. When the going is good, don’t be so arrogant as to believe that a crisis or a setback cannot happen to you. Be good to other people. Save for a rainy day. Look ahead. And remember, good times may not last, but good people do.
3. Ants think summer all winter. As they suffer through the unbearable cold of the winter, ants keep reminding themselves that it won’t last forever, and that summer will soon be here. And with the first rays of the summer sun, the ants come out – ready to work, ready to play. When we are down and seemingly out, when we go through what looks like a never-ending crisis, it’s good to remind ourselves that this too shall pass. Good times will come. It’s important to retain a positive attitude, an attitude that says things will get better. As the old saying goes, tough times don’t last. Tough people do.
4. Ants do all they possibly can. How much food does an ant gather in summer? All that it possibly can! Now that’s a great work ethic to have. Do all you can! One ant doesn’t worry about how much food another ant is collecting. It does not sit back and wonder why it should have to work so hard. Nor does it complain about the poor pay! Ants just do their bit. They gather all the food they can. Success and happiness are usually the result of giving 100% - doing all you possibly can. If you look around you, you’ll find that successful people are those who just do all they possibly can.
Follow the four simple steps of Jim Rohn’s ‘Ant Philosophy’ – and you’ll see the difference. Don’t quit. Look ahead. Stay positive. And do all you can.
And there’s just one more lesson to learn from ants. Did you know that an ant can carry objects up to 20 times their own weight? Maybe we are like that too. We can carry burdens on our shoulders and manage workloads that are far, far heavier than we’d imagine. Next time something’s bothering you and weighing you down, and you feel you just can’t carry on, don’t fret. Think of the little ant. And remember, you too can carry a lot more on your shoulders!
...................................................................................
Authored by Prakash Iyer is MD, Kimberly-Clark and Executive Coach.
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