SKILL DEVELOPMENT

Copyright@shravancharitymission

By Kamlesh Tripathi


Power Point Presentation on Skill Development

https://goo.gl/4qSv1z   PPT on #Skill #Development

ARTICLE: BOSSGIRI

Copyright@shravancharitymission

By Kamlesh Tripathi

    The word ‘boss’ is perhaps the most dreaded word in any company. We all deal with various kinds of bosses in our career. I too have dealt with many in the past. And, the very word as if pyramids seamlessly on words like the ‘leader’ and the ‘coach’ as if it is God gifted to the hierarchy—the Boss. But that is certainly not the case.

    In my long career, I too worked with a variety of bosses where each boss had his own SWOT to mull. I often pondered if the boss is a collective strength of his subordinates, his qualification, his talent and experience. And in the same ratiocination what is the subordinate then? But answers were not quite visible.

    In the long corporate saga of every executive, that keeps un-folding, from time to time it will be interesting to observe the type of bosses you come across. Some bosses are oven-baked with qualities of leadership and are excellent coaches. They are not stuck-up on hierarchy; and are devoid of any hangover about their tall qualification, wide experience and seniority. But a majority of bosses may not be like this.

    During my long innings, I interfaced various kinds of bosses. I also took adequate pains to study the bosses of my colleagues and always kept an eye on my boss’s boss and never deviated from keeping my focus on the top boss, from where, actually, the culture of the organisation flowed.

    Often HR granularly defines the KRAs of each functionary in the company but the gray area remains—the delicate relationship between the boss and the subordinate as there is always something ‘intra’ about it.

    A successful boss is a person who can extract the maximum out of the ambience in the given environment. And for that to happen optimum tuning is required with the team. But, sadly some bosses only keep cribbing about the capabilities of their subordinates. Conversely subordinates tend to perform better if the boss is approachable and can add value in problem solving and for sure possesses the art of debottlenecking. This requires both soft skills and talent and bosses who don’t have this in abundance, usually confine themselves to isolation.  

    While dealing with your boss try and get to know more about the behavioural side of him. For all you know he might have feudalistic tendencies in him where he might consider you more of a constituent then a co-worker. Such bosses are like tyrants and they prefer sycophancy to merit. One can call them feudal bosses. Then there are some bosses who are soft by nature and don’t demand too much out of you, nor reprimand you, but they never ever do anything for you considering your worthiness. One can christen them as frigid bosses.

    The third variety are the ones who give their subordinates enough space to move around and train on the job, but do not extend a helping hand in training you; but overall they are concerned about you and have a magnanimous heart. They are also open to learning from you on a selective basis.

    But the most spectacular variety, are the ones who not only demand work out of their subordinates, but also keep coaching them to perform better. They also have the talent to train you on the job in case you are not skilled to perform the task. This is the prized catch: Boss+talent+coach.

    In this digital and high-tech world where talent is replacing experience every moment, the line between the boss and the subordinate is only getting hazier. There is need for bosses to move from ‘Bossgiri’ to a talent retentive boss.

*****

SHORT STORY: IN LOVE WITH YOUR GURU

Copyright@shravancharitymission

By Kamlesh Tripathi

IN LOVE WITH YOUR GURU

In ancient times there lived a Mahatma whose name was Maharishi Kanad. He had the distinction of exponentially increasing the treasure base of Indian knowledge by scripting the Vaishesik Sutras that determines the rights and the wrongs in terms of finding the absolute good, for a person. He had many shishayas (pupils) that included both men and women, and they all owed their esteem allegiance, to their Guru, Maharishi Kanad.

    And, in that there was a beautiful woman also, who used to look after the Guru with all sincerity. But slowly and slowly, she started feeling as if she was falling in love with the Guru, but she was not able to express her feelings in front him. And, she was even scared that the Guru, should not suddenly shun her, and the other shishayas should not make fun of her.

    But still one day when she was alone with the Guru. She gathered some guts and said, ‘My dear Swami, I love you from the bottom of my heart, and I want to sacrifice everything of mine on you. So can you please accept me in life?”

    The Guru was shocked, at what the lady had told him suddenly, and had gone quiet for some moments. And, the utterance of the lady had spread like a ‘jungle fire’ in the hermitage. And now, all the shishayas were eagerly waiting to know what would be, the Guru’s reply.

    Guru smiled and said, ‘I’m happy that you love me. But you also know that I love the entire world, and when I say the entire world even you are included in that. And you also know that all my shishayas love me, so what is so special about your love.

    Now, the lady was in a dilemma and could not figure out as to how, she should explicitly convey what she wanted to convey. For she did not know how to communicate her deep love to him, and she was also a little cautious, knowing, that so many unseen eyes and ears must be waiting for the much awaited answer of the Guru. Guru waited for a while and then said to her, ‘When you say, you love me and you want to sacrifice everything for me it also means, you want to control me. And this also means that you are not conversant with the real meaning of the Guru. But since you are a devoted shishaya, I don’t want you to be unhappy. So you can have my love. Tomorrow, when I am alone in cottage, you come to me.’

    Upon hearing these lovely words of acceptance the lady went gaga. She came out of the cottage, where rest the female shishayas were now jealous of her, as they too wanted to share her luck.

      Next day after decking up, and when she felt no one is in the cottage of the Guru she entered, when rest of the shishayas were keeping a constant track of her.    And when they saw her entering the cottage they quietly assembled near the cottage of the Guru.

    And when the lady entered she saw, the Guru was in samadhi and around him there was a circle of light, and in that the Guru was appearing like the Sun. She ran towards the Guru in full enthusiasm trying to embrace him. But alas: what was that? She then saw she was only embracing herself. And suddenly she felt the Guru is all over the sky and she can’t just hold the sky nor she can embrace the sky. And after trying all ends, she could only experience as if she is trying to catch the endless sky. And after a little while she was tired and stood there wonder struck. She then could hear a loud laughter in the cottage.

    And that is when the Guru said, ‘my dear shishaya you forgot the basic essence of life that the Guru is not a personal property of anyone, and in fact he belongs to everyone. He is divine, who is everywhere, but not visible. He is the route to your destiny but not your destiny or your kismet. Guru makes you farsighted. So share me with everyone. But don’t try to control your Guru. And feel my wisdom and knowledge within you.

    And after hearing such divine sermons that lady who till some moments back was dull and gloomy immediately cheered up and with her fellow shishayas started celebrating and praising the Guru. And thereafter, slowly the Mahatama returned to his embodiment when he too joined the celebrations.

    This story is lifted from mythological articles, and conveys, our relation with our Guru, which is different than our relation with others.

    Today is Guru-punima and this is a tribute to every Guru.

***

VARIANTS OF BEAUTY

Copyright@kamleshsujata1

By Kamlesh Tripathi

As told by anonymous

The trio of Akansha, Parnita and Sarita, was a glued group in our college. They were mostly together in the classroom where they sat in the same row or the canteen where they hogged together, those stale microwaved snacks or sipped that atrociously sweet chai, coffee, or the unhygienic nimbu-pani or even the chilled, face saving soft drinks from the college canteen. And, if nothing else, they were seen sauntering around the college lawns discussing what not; where we thought it was that reaaal whaaaat not.

And, even when the trio was mostly together in college they appeared to be poles apart in terms of their personal habits and traits. Parnita appeared the bold, chirpy and articulate type, Akansha fun loving, and Sarita somewhat frivolous. One day I found Akansha standing alone near the canteen is when I asked her.

‘Hi, where are the rest?’ She looked at me, without a smile, and I could make out something was upsetting her, is when she said.

‘Sarita hasn’t come today, and I had a tiff with Parnita.’

‘But why tiff?’ I asked.

‘Because, she is a bloody motor-mouth and just can’t shut up.’

Seeing her upset, I asked her for a soft drink, where she joined me. And, when I had just about had the first gulp out of the bottle I softly asked.

‘But what has she said that has upset you so much?’ She looked at me somewhat dazed and started softly.

‘See Parnita, is a very average looking person and we all know that, but has an articulate tongue and a sexy singing voice and that makes her talk excessively, which is highly irritating. She has this false notion that by talking excessively in her sexy voice she will be able to impress and hook boys or the male faculty, my foot.’

‘But, isn’t a sexy singing voice, a beauty in itself, a much adored gift from God, and that she can articulate well a bonus? I asked.

‘May be yes, but the takers are very few. And you just can’t compare Parnita with me and Sarita who are always eyed by men.’ And, with that our cold drink was over, is when we started walking towards the classroom for the next period. But Aakansha’s mindset had got me thinking.

Couple of days had passed when one morning in the assembly there was an announcement by the Principal after the prayers:

‘Dear students,

The teacher’s council has selected Parnita for the inter-college debate contest starting next week after a rigorous selection process and we wish her all the best. We are sure with her debating skills she will definitely get laurels for the college.’ And, the announcement was followed by loud clapping by students and faculty members, when suddenly Parnita was surrounded by whole lot of students, wanting to congratulate her; when in the far corner of the assembly I saw Aakansha standing, all alone and all by herself, .

Surely, in talent lies the ultimate beauty that has many variants.

SHORT STORY: TEXTILE MERCHANT … know your strengths

Copyright@kamleshsujata1

By Kamlesh Tripathi

Once upon a time there was a merchant who used to deal in textiles. He used to live close to a port where ships used to dock and from whom he used to buy merchandise and sell it in his shop.

He had one manager and couple of employees who use to work under the manager. Each time a ship docked the merchant used to send his manager to get the details of the merchandise available, and basis the acumen of the manager and information collected, merchant used to buy the merchandise and the same used to get sold conveniently in the town.

One day the employees working under the manager came up to the merchant and started requesting for a higher salary on the plea that they work harder than the manager who only sat there and gave instructions while they did the entire work. The merchant gave them a patient hearing and promised to look into the matter.

One day the merchant received a communication from the dock that a ship had arrived loaded with textile. This time the merchant instead of sending his manager sent one of the employees working under the manager to find out about the merchandise that had arrived in the port.

The employee happily left for the port thinking the merchant this time had given him a chance to prove himself, instead of the manager. And after sometime he returned from the port when the merchant asked,

‘From which country has the merchandise arrived?’

‘I don’t know about the country master, but it is big ship with lots of merchandise.’

‘What kind of fabric do they have?’

‘I don’t know about that master, but there are big bundles, appearing to be thaans’  (bolts of fabric)

 ‘But are the thaans designed for children, ladies or gents?’

‘Master I didn’t ask about that. You want me to check again?’

‘Then tell me the price range of each thaan? Basis which I will be able to make out whether it is for ladies, gents or children?’

‘Sorry master I missed that too.’

‘And what about the total value of the merchandise?’

‘No idea master.’ Replied the employee somewhat embarrassed and staring at the floor.

Merchant looked at the employee pensively and said, ‘Few days back you and your fellow colleague both had come asking for an increase in salary, because you felt you work harder than the manager. This time I gave you an assignment of the manager thinking you will be able to at least equal what he does, if not out-perform him. Had I sent the manager he would have got all the details without my asking and perhaps he could have answered ten more queries of mine basis which I could have made my purchase decision.

Now to get all the relevant information in one go I will again have to send someone. So whom should I send this time?’ asked the merchant.

The employee looked up and politely replied, ‘the manager master.’

Before we expect a higher salary or consider ourselves appropriate for a higher position we must analyse how talented, skilled and knowledgeable we are about the assignment we are aspiring for. In this case while the jobs of employees had more of physical work the mangers job was to gather niche information about the merchandise that helped in making purchase decisions leading to sales, generation of revenue and profits.  

POETRY: WHEN I STUMBLED IN LIFE

 copyright@kamleshsujsta1

By Kamlesh Tripathi

WHEN I STUMBLED IN LIFE

Whenever I stumbled in life,

It was only because of absence of light,

And the more I allowed darkness to remain and reign,

Is when light abstained.

*

 For absence of light is dark,

Bereft of eyes is dark,

Absence of knowledge is dark,

For darkness always resides in care-of.

*

In the medley of life,

Darkness is death and oxygen is light,

And when the sunsets, darkness too rests,

But upon sunrise darkness strikes.

*

Darkness laughs at the failures of light,

But light never finds the trace of darkness,

Darkness thinks light is scared,

When, light doesn’t even get a chance to dare.

*

In the hot chase of life,

Chase out darkness and bring in light,

For light is the beacon, but darkness a crime,

And, all in the bickering of time.

*

 And ever in the windmills of life,

If darkness strikes,

Blame only yourself,

For you did not follow the light.

****