Perception

As a child, I loved all that my mother cooked, except idli. My mother had a strict rule that the first offering of all food had to be eaten, even if it was disliked. I would gulp down two idlis to ensure that the unpleasant experience was over at the earliest.

However, this strategy would boomerang at homes of other people. Seeing me consume the idlis in quick time, they would think I loved them and they would drop more idlis in my plate. Hence, I had to change my approach. 

 

I began put little pieces of the idli in my mouth and chew slowly to stretch the time. Interestingly, this made me indulge in the taste and eventually I developed a liking for the idli. Now idlis are my favourite food to eat!

 

I realised that my dislike for the idlis was due to perception rather than real experience of taste. Our likes and dislikes may be born of perceptions or even interpretation of experiences. We must give time to the experience to connect with facets that unravel only with deeper application of our senses. 

 

We need to consider whether our dislikes are mere inferences from erroneous perceptions made in a hurry. We have to find ways to escape hurried perceptions and experience the same with an open mind.

Stop succumbing to hasty hurried opinion
Don’t be confused by errors of perception!

 

~ Pravin K Sabnis

 

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Why & Wherefore

 

An Aesop’s fable is about the encounter of a wolf and a little lamb. Wanting to find reason to turn the lamb into lunch, the wolf growls: ‘last year you insulted me’! The lamb replied, ‘I was just born a few months back.’ 

 

The wolf retorts, ‘You grazed in my pasture.’ The lamb said, ‘I don't eat grass yet.’ But the wolf persisted, ‘You drank from my pond.’ The lamb replied, ‘The only thing I drink is my mother’s milk.’  

 

At that point the wolf ate the lamb saying, ‘Well! You certainly like to argue!’

 

The phrase ‘why and wherefore’ is in Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors: ‘Was there ever any man thus beaten out of season, When in the why and the wherefore is neither rhyme nor reason?’ 

 

So often, some of us defend the indefensible.  We scout for justifications based on our prejudice born of divisions that see one human being as lesser than oneself. Like the wolf finds many why and wherefores for his predetermined act of violence against the innocent lamb.

 

Every time, we indulge in irrational choice for our ‘why and wherefore’ we are walking the talk of murderous hate mongers. In the aftermath of the violent act, as time passes, we become complacent. And history repeats…

 

Vested interests, on all sides, start planting the seeds of hate again, under the garb of nationalism, religion, ethnic pride and more. Messengers of hate talk about ‘teaching them a lesson’. But lessons are meant to be learnt by us by challenging the divisive ‘why and wherefore’.

Why should humanity be trampled out of season

When in the why and the wherefore is no reason?

 

~ Pravin K Sabnis

 

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Centipede Effect

A centipede was happy

Until a toad in fun

Said, ‘Pray, which leg moves after which?’

This raised her doubts to such a pitch,

She fell exhausted in the ditch

Not knowing how to run!

 

The poem underlines the psychological ‘centipede effect’ that occurs when an otherwise unconscious activity is disrupted by consciousness of it. When asked how he played a certain passage of Beethoven, violinist Adolf Busch replied that it was quite simple – and then found that he could no longer play the same passage.

 

George Humphrey identified the effect as hyper-reflection and said that ‘no man skilled at a trade needs to put his constant attention on routine work... If he does, the job is apt to be spoiled’. Humphrey's law states that once performance of a task has become habitual, conscious thought about the task, while performing it, impairs performance.  

 

Habit reduces and then removes the attention required for routine tasks. This automaticity is upset by attention to a regular unconscious competence. For example, someone thinking too much about how they knot their tie may find their performance of the task impaired. Hence, we must not allow the centipede’s dilemma to derail what has turned a habitual performance.

The centipede need not reflect on keeping feet in line,

But if it starts to ponder they get twisted all the time!

~ Pravin K Sabnis

 

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Active Waiting

Boman Irani, the versatile actor has a remarkable story of perseverance. He was dyslexic, as well as having ADHD & a lisp he eventually overcame. Due to financial constraints, he dropped out of college and took up a job as a waiter at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai.

He worked as a waiter, struggling to make ends meet. Despite the challenges, he never lost sight of his passion for acting. He would participate in amateur theatre performances. In 1987, his life took a dramatic turn as director, Alyque Padamsee, offered him a role in a play. 

 

His breakthrough came in 2003 film ‘Darna Mana Hai’. His portrayal of Dr. Asthana in ‘Munnabhai MBBS’ brought him recognition. Since then, he appeared in many films, showcasing his incredible range as an actor.

 

Boman Irani's story teaches us valuable lessons. His journey from waiting tables to waiting for opportunities as an actor is a testament to his passion and determination. While his success is a result of his hard work, dedication, and willingness to learn... it is also his attitude to actively wait!

 

Waiting is not about staying idle. Rather, it is about being active and alert while little may be happening. Active waiting is a powerful mindset shift that can transform downtime into uptime. So, when you find yourself waiting, remember that you have the power to turn downtime into an opportunity.

 

Indeed active waiting is divine,

it turns downtime into a shine!

 

~ Pravin K Sabnis

 

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Recce

Sportsmen want to see the stadium, before they play. Singers, orators, performers want to see the stage, before they perform. Traders, entrepreneurs, sales persons involve in what they call a trial run. They use different words but what they are doing is a ‘recce’ 

‘Recce’ is a regularly used by those in trekking and mountaineering. Every time we plan a new trail, some of us undertake a ‘recce’ – an exploration to confirm the best possible route. We identify spots to visit as well as estimate the time budgeting. A well done ‘recce’ ensures success. 

 

The term derived from ‘reconnaissance’ refers to an exploration conducted to get information. Also known as scouting, it is a military idiom for a preliminary survey to gain facts. However, a ‘recce’ is more than a survey and analysis. It is about pre-experiencing the proposed plan to be better in responding to the challenges of the situation.

 

So often we plan to do embark on certain paths or projects. Quite often we do not start for lack of knowledge and experience. The path becomes familiar when we embark on a ‘recce’. 

 

Larger dreams are better realised by exploring the ‘recce’ experience that helps us understand the situation. Hence we are better prepared to tackle traps and plan strategies to optimise use of resources, including time.

 

Before every big excursion

Do the recce of exploration!

 

~ Pravin K Sabnis

 

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Innovation

Innovation is a common value declared by corporates and other teams. It refers to the spark that ignites progress, driving human advancement and fuelling transformations and possibilities. It is the catalyst for growth, improvement and positive change. 

Innovation challenges conventional thinking and fosters creativity. It encourages experimentation and calculated risk-taking. It drives entrepreneurship and economic growth. Overall it enhances effectiveness, efficiency and quality of life

 

The innovation mindset involves the tolerance for curiosity and overcoming fear of failure. It needs collaboration approaches that allow for ideas to be expressed, discussed and considered. It requires the attitude of adaptability and resilience.

 

To unlock our innovative potential we must adopt the five steps. Start by identifying problems to solve. Next question assumptions or prejudices. Explore new perspectives. Experiment and develop models or prototypes. Last, seek feedback and iterate.

 

Innovation has transformed ideas into reality, shaping the future and improving lives. Embrace the innovation mindset, unlock your potential, and join the ranks of history's game-changers to create positive disruptions.

 

Choose to involve in innovation 

Unleash the positive disruptions!

 

~ Pravin K Sabnis

 

 

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Work with, not for

Aloo Gomes Pereira, COO Charters & Goa, of Trail Blazer Tours India, is a great person to learn from. While meeting him in his office, I noticed he would walk across his cabin, step out of the door to request his staff for tasks like getting tea or a photocopy or some document.  

I asked him why doesn’t use a bell to call his office help instead of taking the effort every time and this is what he replied, ‘They are not my slaves to be summoned by a bell. They work with me, not for me! They are my team members and I have to treat them with dignity.’   

 

What a wonderful sentiment of sensitive synergy! The traditional employer-employee dynamic needs a significant shift. The phrase ‘work with, not for’ underlines this transformation, focussing on collaboration, mutual respect, and shared goals.

 

The industrial revolution was about working ‘for’ someone, characterized by hierarchy, authority and control. However, today’s times are of autonomy, flexibility and purpose. ‘Work With, Not For’ is about shared ownership, open communication, collaboration, trust empowerment and true team spirit. 

 

Benefits of ‘Work With, Not For’ are increased motivation, innovation, engagement, retention and better work-life balance. By embracing this shift, teams can attract and retain top talent; drive innovation and growth; and foster a positive, productive work environment.

 

Choose collaborative, empowering work approach

‘Work with, not for’ is boarding the synergy coach!

 

~ Pravin K Sabnis

 

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