Gear Model

The other day shifting my gears with my car gears made me realize, why we don’t have a learning to this? Bringing you a jukebox colored with my own threads. A perfectionist in driving by now must be having his first driving lesson, good & old as history to him. Changing gears can be a difficult process for many learner drivers then practicing along block changing - from 5th into 1st, 4th into 1st, and 3rd into 1st gear. Neutral a position where no gear selected, in our instances when we refuse to take an action we get labelled into same. Placing it ahead & above our Sleep-Mode.

When we start off towards our goal or project name it as you like. You will always start from 1st never end up doing a high jump straight to 5th. But gradually lift & take all the gears without skipping a single one in the process. To reach the highest point where you can maintain your balance to the speed.

It's very common for learner drivers to force the gears. How smoothly the gears change depend on the driver, rest the make of car and the quality of the gearbox and clutch should fade away. Aiming not to leave a single stone un-turned will make us blame less on the car as we need to be the best drivers irrespective of our mode.

Whilst learning to change gear, you simply guide & glide with the lever in the correct direction of your selection without pushing too hard making it sound like your only conquest. The gentle you are, the easier it is. What makes me love this whole process is even when we are at our highest the gentle word does not leave its side.

Selecting the wrong gears isn't necessarily a test failure providing it isn't done to excess. Can be a common for a learner driver during lessons and driving test to select the wrong. The most common to be incorrect is 1st gear when the intention was 3rd and 4th gear when intention was 2nd. Makes me only smile as shows to others our focus is a mismatch, where a new explorer who does not do this will make me wonder more. The whole thing gets boiled to master your reflexes to your best.

Several years ago, when slowing down from a high speed to a slow speed or a stop, you would need to go down through the gears before stopping. With modern cars this is not necessary. Time has & is changing, technology is moving faster than us. No reason for us to be behind, with innovative thinking you also need to innovate yourself. Which often we all forget…. Innovative You = Innovative Thinking.

“Exploration is the engine that drives Innovation”

Conductor Model

Have you ever flexed your muscle by looking at the musical band, “How they operate in synchronization to a person waving his wand in the air?” Before delving further, we know an important cog in the wheel. How do we address him? Do you have a name? Nor did I, but decided not to leave it blind. Asking on same from the lead would mark a red cross in my book of manners. Research work is a tool which I knew will take me through. The one which I felt defined him the best, out of several given to him was the “conductor”.

The conductor's craft may be described as an art of persuasion by which musicians, audiences, and communities come to share a deep connection with the orchestra and its repertoire. Passion, intellect, insight, musical talent, and charisma all come into play. A conductor's authority flows from the power of his musical vision, the skill & facility by which musical ideas are communicated through physical movement as well as verbal instructions.

One of the most basic functions of the conductor, I learned, was simply keeping the whole orchestra coordinated, so that all the different musicians started and stopped playing at the right time. One key to this was to express the beat of the music through the movement of the conductor’s baton. Musicians count the number of beats when they are silent, and begin playing at the right time. Different songs have different rhythms, and so the conductor uses different movements to express the beat depending on the rhythm.

To simplify & eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak. While a conductor should give players direction a great conductor treats his players as partners. Focusing on making music together, rather than controlling their each note, giving them the desired freedom in guidance.

There is a mismatch between “what science knows & what businesses do”. While research shows traditional incentive motivators are not effective at getting employees to do what you want, businesses use them anyway. If we really want high performance on those definitional tasks of 21^st century. The solution is not to entice people with a sweeter carrot or threaten them with a sharper stick. We need a whole new approach in which companies provide employees with a high degree of autonomy to explore their own ideas.

After being re-acquainted with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, had an epiphany. “We’re not asking meaningful metrics,” “We’re not asking important questions. We’re not asking anything that’s intangible.” Revamp the company’s business model to focus on some less than tangible indicators of success, the higher needs of customers & investors.

Feedback Model

Before buying anything we all look for feedback through all channels. The importance of feedback can never be underestimated, some we get warranted & some unwarranted. In fact to break it thin the postings which we get on our social network also roofs under the same. The right or the wrong words can always cause a stir. At the same time acknowledging the fact that all cannot be artful with their words. The ones caught at the wrong side end up always facing burnt.

The focus not being social network, but the corporate world. The HR has its planned feedback forum in place, to meet the appraisal targets in time. But did you realize off & on, knowingly or unknowingly on daily basis how much feedback you end up giving? All your check points & discussions ends up under that. We are again standing at the same point, play of words. Do you put it in the right way? When I say right way, not questioning your wisdom tooth, but the way you convey it. One is you can make it sound like a Win-Lose, the other in-spite of correcting make it sound like Win-Win. Believe me finally you will be more a winner, as you win the person forever with you.

The Newtonian principle that every action produces an equal and opposite reaction. Every time we think or do something, we create a cause, which in time will bear its corresponding effects. In plain words his theory of “Cause & Effect” has lot of significance which we fail to acknowledge through. How do we say it? Instead of pointing out the bug point blank on the person. Show the effect caused by the error due to his misstep, hence the person can relate & understand. Furthermore add the repercussions on How it affected & molded others along too.

When giving feedback to individuals or groups, an interactive approach is deemed to be most helpful. This helps to develop a dialogue between the learner and the person giving feedback and builds on the learners’ own self-assessment, it is collaborative and helps learners take responsibility for their own learning.

To provide developmental feedback, describe an alternative action – something the person could have done differently – and the result that the alternative action might have produced. Focus on facts, not the person. Choose positively phrased statements, such as "Forgetting to do that caused a delay," rather than saying "You're completely disorganized." Share your thoughts by remembering to seek the other person's ideas. Provide your employee with the necessary support in terms of time, resources or coaching to act on your feedback.

“We all need people who can give us feedback, that’s how we improve”…Bill Gates

Kabaddi Model

Fiddling with the TV remote blindly scanning with mind drifted towards opposite. A news channel showcasing the game Kabaddi within few seconds was all over me. The sight was more for my mind than my eyes, I had an untouched research model with my gray cells bursting through. MBA institutes while discussing successful entrepreneurs with their business models should along with that drift towards different channels to excel. In fact how I see this model gives you more than the prior. The entrepreneurs with their individual experiences will light you with each one having their own unique journey sketched in it. The best of the cream is not always available to us. The latter model makes your foundation strong to spin to any given take which will mould you to be the best craftsman around.

To sum it on scales Infinite Entrepreneurs = Kabaddi Model

I will make sure by the end of this you are nodding along with me on the same. 

To be on the same page Kabaddi is a game where two teams are the focal point. The team in which I stand with all of you is one side opposing to us is our problems - Break, Make & Name it anything which does not let you, be you. A game of attack & defense, Raid is the focal point of the game. We are attacking & defending our barricades by continuously raiding.

One of the unique features of Kabaddi is the cant. The raider has to withhold his breath during the entire course of the raid and keep up a continuous and audible chant of the word Kabaddi until he returns to home court. I don’t see much difference between cant & can’t. The rule we have here for us the word ‘can’t’ is not said in the whole process of your head on coalition till you reach your home court. The minute you say or think you have lost it.

This is a game, probably the only one, in which physical prowess and vital capacity, go hand in hand. Pranayama associates mental processes with respiration. Win of you over your mental hiccups with best physical prowess to the show. It’s a symphony in duet to go none can go without one.

Kabaddi in its initial era led to various research work. Where the breathing technique was studied to the depth concluding that fast & shallow breathers are easily excitable where slow & deep breathers are cool & calm. I relate to blowing of our nostrils, losing our temper where patience is far to go. Prime for us to make it our prime if we want to always win over our problems.

Settling means getting set before an attack. Normally, after entry into the opponent's court, the raider study the situation and decide upon the path of attack. In these few seconds chooses a target and makes his moves accordingly. If he does not get set but charges blindly into the opponent's court, there is more likelihood of his being caught. Master your moves the above say is all sorted out for us. 

Footwork in Kabaddi the movements made by the raider during the course of the raid include the stance of the raider, body position, movement, speed, agility. Check your spirits to the above & a subtle message things don’t happen things are made to happen.

Last & not the least, Tactics means to exploit a given situation to one’s advantage to suit one’s purpose in the game & in our game too.

Walk the Talk

Walk the Walk or Walk the Talk to be consistent to your words with actions marking to your throw. In my experience, consistency is a must as you build and grow. Throughout my career, I've strived to stay consistent about consistency. Even the best business plans will fail without a dedication to consistency. 

Ethics are supposed to shape your ways of moral living, and to do that, you must have logical rationalizations. This means, there cannot be contradictions present in any regard. 

 How do you measure effectiveness if what you are measuring isn't performed consistently?

Business growth requires a track record of success. You can't establish a track record if you are constantly shifting gears or trying new tactics. Many efforts fail before they get to the finish line, but not because the tactic was flawed or goals weren't clear. The problem is often that the team simply didn't stay the course to achieve the objective.

Your team pays as much or more attention to what you do as to what you say. Consistency in your leadership serves as a model for how they will behave.  If you treat a meeting as unimportant, don't be surprised when you find they are doing the same to fellow teammates or even customers.

If you want to be consistent, you’ll need to choose your battles wisely. If you have too many rules or too many consequences, it’s impossible to keep it all straight. It’s easier to be consistent when you have a clear plan. Establish house rules so that you can consistently respond to unacceptable behavior. A written list of rules ensures that what is expected of them.

We live in unpredictable and uncertain times. When people go to work they want as much certainty as they can get. People worry that they are going to lose their jobs, or have hours cut. If we can have work be as consistent and predictable as possible then they appreciate it more.

The most important and overlooked characteristic a good leader to lead by example must have is consistency.

Engineer Your Teamwork

Few understand how to create the experience of team building or how to develop an effective team. Many view team work as the best organization design for involving all employees in creating business success and profitability, where it’s much deeper to the skin.

The best saying is not always, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.”

Whenever Team Work comes to mind the flock of birds can never go without a pass. In the hustle bustle of life have you ever halted realized looking at them how they fly in groups forming V’s A’s without breaking the synchronization? This realization is already tied, they can survive & perform better if bond together.

Their survival is higher & stronger as they are not only two eyes looking for food or danger but many together. Similar to a problem on a table when we are as a team stronger with more brain power as our strength. We will not only be good with solutions, but more equipped in dealing with unseen problems.

Scientists estimate that the whole flock can fly about 70% farther with the same amount of energy than if each flew alone. When people work together harmoniously on teams, sharing common values and a common destination, they all arrive at the destination quicker and easier, because they are lifted up by the energy and enthusiasm of one another.

When a bird falls out of the group it quickly returns back to the formation to take advantage of the lifting power that comes by flying together. Sometimes people playing in teams will drop out of the group and try to accomplish goals on their own. Only to discover that they miss the synergy and energy that comes when they are an active part of a cohesive team moving toward their destination.

Birds bearing the torch in front of the formation, when gets tired breaks from the front moving towards the rear. Where faces the resistance lighter, and another bird takes over the leadership position. When a team is bonded & functioning together each member of the team should take up the leadership role as per their expertise & experience. By Rolling the dice & giving everyone the opportunity to serve as a leader & a follower.

 Michael Jordan 

  “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.”  

Optimist vs Pessimist

In our walk of life we will come across all kind of people. Some will make you, some will break you & some will take you. Some you will resist, some you will get magnetized too & some you will always keep looking for.

Handling pessimists realized, I have to learn to deal with them without my positivity dying. For every 1 negative person I face now, there are probably thousands of them out there whom I’ll meet one day. If I learn how to deal effectively no weather can wear me out.

If there’s someone negative in your life at the moment, don’t let yourself be affected by them. You’re not alone in your problem – I face negative people as well and dealing with them is always a learning experience. While people can try to get you down, you've a choice in how you react to them.

One thing I learnt people colored towards negativity harp on the bad things and ignore the positive stuff. They have a tendency to exaggerate issues they are facing, making their predicament seem a lot worse than actually is. Provide a listening ear and offer help if needed. Provide support let them know they are not alone. However, be sure to draw a line somewhere.

Negative people can be quite critical at times. They tend to drop insensitive comments that are hurtful, especially if they are directed at you. Recognize that the negative person usually means no harm they are just caught up in negativity. Start by learning how to deal with critical comments. Objectify the comments made, Rather than taking their words personally & recognize that they are just offering a point of view. Sieve out the underlying message.

Be conscious of how much time you’re spending with them limit the duration where you can help it. For example, if they want to hang out with you but you don’t enjoy their company, learn to say NO. Keep to the objective of the discussion & don’t let it extend beyond that time.

As Jim Rohn puts it – “You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with”. What this quote means is that who you spend your time with has an impact on the person you eventually become.

Think about the times you hang out with negative people – Do you feel more positive or negative after that? Same for positive people – How do you feel after spending some time with them?