IndianMaze

I had a very fruitful meeting for a possible new client. The project was interesting and there was keen interest by the potential client to use the services on offer. Sounds good, said my colleague. We should send a proposal for the engagement. I wasn't so sure. Project is interesting, fee may be decent as well but do I feel comfortable working with the client? A categorical NO emerged from within me. The interaction with client was emotionally challenging. I would have had to deal with am emotional conflict on the assignment with the client. I found it difficult to accept his style of operation. This was not a knee jerk reaction but thought through analysis. Professionally, it is the task that I commit to and should do the same. Personally I do not want to work with the individual. What do I do? I have declined the assignment but the question still remains. Is it fair? Is it just? Would a doctor take a decision to cure a patient based on liking? Should an advocate dec

The room was full of very bright, intelligent and aware youngsters in a higher education institute in India. They all had qualified to be there after a hard fought competition with a success rate of under 5%. I was privileged to be amongst the future of India and was truly impressed with their sharp minds and questions posed to me recently when I delivered a guest lecture. Towards the end of the session, I had to make a point of my own to get them to the next level of action. So a series of 3 questions: Q1.                      How many of you want to top the class? Response :          100% Q2                       How many of you know what to do to top the class? Response             Almost 60% (balance 50% definitely need guidance) Q3                       How many of you who know what to do are doing that NOW? Response             Not a single student This has got me really thinking......... Do we do what we should be doing? If not why not?

Snake charmers? Elephants for transport? Beggars everywhere? Software programmers at the entry point of airport? A lot is in our imagination based on what and where we read about India. This has been my favourite question to every foreigner when they come to India (especially the first timers). In 7 out of 10 answers I get a response that invariable means TOO MANY HUMANS I have had comments like - I never knew that so many people can work at an airport - I have never seen so many heads together - humans, humans and humans all around In 2 out of 10 I have a response that invariably means - You guys are too good at English speaking What is your first hit on hitting India?

Susan was on the verge of crying on the phone call. She is a young professional at one of the largest corporations in the country. Susan has had sterling credentials. A university ranker and skilled at things beyond her curriculum. She enjoys life and believes in burning the candle at both ends. Work hard, party harder. She is ambitious as well. She has been rated very well in her office and many people, far senior to her, come to her for advise on casual basis. She manages the communication of her boss and ghost writes for him. She was confident that with her performance she would get a double promotion from level 10 to 8. She had been handed over a letter wherein she has been rewarded with a special mention by her VP and a bonus highest in her department and an assessment of outstanding and promoted to level 9. Still she is unhappy and on the verge of breakdown. Why? Because it is lower than her expectation of being promoted to level 8.