Kids talk ..

How human beings, as young as 7 yrs react to same stimulus ? Here is an example ..

Two kids rushing home in the evening at the end of their play time in the garden down stairs.
Both have insect bites on there legs.

First kid whines - "Mama ! Why do mosquitoes bite ONLY me ?? "

The second kid - 'No they bite me more. Because my blood is sweeter. Even the doctor gives it "A+"'

Not my work syndrome ..

Heightened senses..

Few months ago, I tried to help a struggling manager with a small metaphor.
This manager was not the usual, organically grown from technical hands-on engineering ranks !
But had enough common sense to land there. And penchant to follow right things up at right time.

But, he did have tough time feeling competent in a group where everyone else grew from engineering and technically strong. Understanding of business and other technical problems came easy to them - but not so easy to this manger !

Among all other tips, I told him "For a blind person, other senses are very heightened. Their touch, smell, hearing capabilities etc are much more enhanced." And I did forget about what I told ..

Today the same person comes back and thanks me for that one liner ! And his other non-technical skills have enhanced quite a bit ! 

Metrics Overruled ..

When time comes to do a org wide equity adjustment after more than 2 yrs of wait, the anxiety hits the roof. The HR types swing in to action to figure out ways to be very fair in terms of distributing the new booty !

And hence invented a nice new formula that takes many things in to consideration -

1. Total industry experience and relevant experience
2. TIme in current grade / role
3. Performance for last couple of years
4. Current salary with respect to grade mid point

Plug in all these and life is easy. You know how much of the dollar go to who.
But here is a catch ! When we go one after another name as suggested by this so called "formula" we start finding exceptions !

1. The people who performance has been great in last cycles have been taken care of even during recession - and hence the gap to market is low

2. People who have max industry experience and max time in grade are there for a reason. They are not the high growing ones. And more money should not go in there.

etc. and the money finally falls on the plate of the usual successful gang, be them young, be them above market already etc. True capitalism shows up :)

Metrics overruled ! 

Childhood OCD'ity ???

Disclaimer : Not really trying to be pointing out any fault in any behavior below ! Just that I see that around me a lot and this is one more instance !

There was a new admission to the tennis class where I take my kids to. So, on a Lazy Sunday afternoon, I am just sitting beside the court and watch kids arranged in to beginners, Intermediate and Advanced in to three different pools - hitting at it ! While the coaches keep feeding baskets of balls shouting "Forehand", "Backhand", "Don't open the face of the racquet" etc.

The new admission is a cute lil (around 7-8 yrs) girl in a pink frock and 2 pony tails. Noticed one thing in her.. she was not really interested in hitting the balls, or listening to the coach. She was very very bothered by 100s of balls lying around on the ground. So, she eagerly waited each time to the shout "Clean up". She was at it immediately. Collecting as many balls as possible and stacking them neatly back in the basket. I could not ignore the smile and satisfaction in her face, when the ground was clean.

Then as soon as the game begins and the balls started floating around, she looked stressed !

That thing (OCD'ity as I call it) comes in every size, really !!

Tired ??

Sometimes the obvious stuff comes to you, when you go through it. One such thing is "when there is motivation, one does not get tired".


Clearly see that in the game of tennis - when having a good match, running becomes really easy as long as you know that you have enough oxygen to beat that other guy. Winning is within reach. The running mercilessly does not hurt that much. But when the equation is lil bit out of balance, and there is no hope of snatching a few matches, the running around feels very tiring.

Hmm... now how do we take it to work place and make employees feel there is a Big chance of WINNING at the end ? How do we take it to family and motivate kids ?