How many of our leaders follow this principle?

India Knowledge@Wharton: Could you give an example, from your own experience, of how leaders should manage failure?

Kalam: Let me tell you about my experience. In 1973 I became the project director of India's satellite launch vehicle program, commonly called the SLV-3. Our goal was to put India's "Rohini" satellite into orbit by 1980. I was given funds and human resources -- but was told clearly that by 1980 we had to launch the satellite into space. Thousands of people worked together in scientific and technical teams towards that goal.

By 1979 -- I think the month was August -- we thought we were ready. As the project director, I went to the control center for the launch. At four minutes before the satellite launch, the computer began to go through the checklist of items that needed to be checked. One minute later, the computer program put the launch on hold; the display showed that some control components were not in order. My experts -- I had four or five of them with me -- told me not to worry; they had done their calculations and there was enough reserve fuel. So I bypassed the computer, switched to manual mode, and launched the rocket. In the first stage, everything worked fine. In the second stage, a problem developed. Instead of the satellite going into orbit, the whole rocket system plunged into the Bay of Bengal. It was a big failure.

That day, the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization, Prof. Satish Dhawan, had called a press conference. The launch was at 7:00 am, and the press conference -- where journalists from around the world were present -- was at 7:45 am at ISRO's satellite launch range in Sriharikota [in Andhra Pradesh in southern India]. Prof. Dhawan, the leader of the organization, conducted the press conference himself. He took responsibility for the failure -- he said that the team had worked very hard, but that it needed more technological support. He assured the media that in another year, the team would definitely succeed. Now, I was the project director, and it was my failure, but instead, he took responsibility for the failure as chairman of the organization.

The next year, in July 1980, we tried again to launch the satellite -- and this time we succeeded. The whole nation was jubilant. Again, there was a press conference. Prof. Dhawan called me aside and told me, "You conduct the press conference today."

I learned a very important lesson that day. When failure occurred, the leader of the organization owned that failure. When success came, he gave it to his team. The best management lesson I have learned did not come to me from reading a book; it came from that experience.











Source: http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4276

The Top 40 Time Management Tips

1. PERSIST FOR 21 DAYS: When building a habit, don't allow yourself to slip that first time. Slip once and it's easier to slip again.

2. MOTIVATION TO ACHIEVE GOALS: Tell others about your goals. The fear of embarrassment if you back out should strengthen your commitment.

3. PROCESS OF DELEGATION: Delegation is a process whereby a higher authority exchanges a given weight of authority and responsibility or an equal weight of obligation and accountability. First, determine the responsibility, then the amount of authority needed to carry it out.

4. WE CAN'T DO IT ALL: Reserve your yeses for the priorities and say no to the others.

5. MEAL TIME: Arranging all tools and ingredients on the counter before cooking a meal can save between 10 to 27 minutes on meal preparation time.

     6.   TO DO List:   Have a To-Do list. 

7. THE KEY TO EFFECTIVENESS: The quality of your effort will determine the quantity of your results.

8. YOUR WORKPLACE IS IMPORTANT: Workers using good quality adjustable furniture did 10% better at data entry than members in a control group.

9. PACKING TIP: Zip lock bags are handy items to take along on a trip to house cosmetics, medications, foreign change, wet bathing suit etc.

10. VALUE OF PLANNING: Spending 10 to 15 minutes every morning mapping out your day can save up to 6 hours a week.

11. DEFINITION: Procrastination: The art of keeping up with yesterday.

12. HASTE MAKES WASTE: Most women spend half an hour a day duplicating tasks due to haste.

13. DON'T SKIP BREAKFAST: Skipping breakfast deprives your brain of the energy it needs to function at its best.

14. SLOWING THE PACE OF TIME: If you're really enjoying yourself, getting lost in the activity of the moment, time does not progress in equal units.

15. OVERTIME CAN DECREASE PRODUCTIVITY: Overtime was not cost effective since after ten straight hours of work, fatigue sets in and procrastination plummets.

16. WORD PROCESSING SHORTCUT: To change caps to lower case, hold down the Shift key and press F3 with the cursor on the word you want changed. Keep pushing to go from lower case to upper and lower case.

17. LAW OF COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE: You should assign, delegate or outsource any job that can be done at a wage or cost less than you earn.

18. TALK IT OUT: Discussing problems with others eases stress. Perhaps that's why married people live longer than single people.

19. LIMIT YOUR GOALS: Too many goals leads to frustration & stress. Five major goals each year worked well. Limit your goals and maintain focus.

20. EAT LIGHT LUNCHES FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE: People who ate large lunches performed worse than those who had eaten only a sandwich. Alertness and efficiency are at low ebb about two hours after one begins eating lunch.

21. PREVENTING UPWARD DELEGATION: You distribute a policy that staff may interrupt you if a. They have a decision to make that exceeds their authority, b. They require information that can only be obtained from you.c. They are really truly stumped.

22. ON THE ROAD: The average person spends 73 minutes a day behind the wheel. The temptation is to use the time productively with such things as cell phone calls and educational audiotapes. But don't do anything that will decrease your awareness of the road conditions, traffic and surroundings. Safety is a good investment of time.

23. KEEPING IN TOUCH: So you won't forget to send cards to some of your friends and to save writing time, prepare a set or two of pre-addressed, self-adhesive labels before leaving on your trip.

24. A MANAGER'S TIME: If you're too busy to manage, you're too busy to be a manager. Managers must take the time to plan, organize, staff, direct, control and innovate.

25. IT TAKES 21 DAYS TO FORM A HABIT:  When putting time management ideas into practice, give them time. Nothing kills motivation like impatience.

26. REDUCE TELEPHONE TIME: When someone starts to read figures, information or instructions over the phone, ask them to fax or e-mail the information to you instead.

27. RELAX THROUGH READING: Reading takes us away from our problems, giving us a mini-Vacation.

28. THE TIP OF YOUR NO'S: A tip for saying no is to be polite, firm and helpful such as, I'm sorry but I couldn't possibly take on another activity at this time. Have you considered contacting the college about their work experience program?

29. FAMILY DAYS: If you are a working parent and hard pressed to get quality time with your child, consider a family day together periodically, such as on the child's birthday, when you can take a day off school and work and spend the day at the park, zoo or some entertainment center.

30. MULTITASKING ON THE ROAD: It is reported that 71.4% of the drivers in a study were either eating or drinking while driving. 45.7% were grooming, 40% were reading or writing, and 34% were talking on the cell phone. Driver inattention is the number one cause of traffic crashes. So it's a costly way of saving time.

31. FORGET WHERE YOU PUT THINGS?: People with a diastolic blood pressure above 90 often have difficulty remembering and learning new tasks.

32. BIG WORDS WASTE TIME: Keep your writing simple. If your message is not understood, communication has not taken place.

33. MOTIVATION TO GET ORGANIZED: The closer the reward is to the expenditure of effort, the greater the motivation. When getting organized, start by applying ideas that will produce immediate results.

34. PROCEDURES SAVE TIME: A procedure is a step-by-step description of how to accomplish a specific task. If you don't have procedures, make it the responsibility of all staff members to draw them up for the repetitive tasks they perform. You will avoid crises and time loss during absences and facilitate new employee training.

35. DON'T DELAY DECISIONS: If a decision needs to be made, we should make it. They claim that having an acceptable decision in time is better than having a perfect decision too late.

36. EASE INTO THE WEEK: Going at full speed Monday morning after two days of relaxation could stress your heart. You have a one-third greater chance of suffering a heart attack on Monday morning than at any other time of the week.

37. ACTIVITY ANALYSIS: People have a tendency to take on additional tasks during slow periods. This causes problems when it gets busy. Continually evaluate your activities and eliminate those that are unimportant and bring little personal satisfaction.

38. OVERCOMING THE SLOW START: Sometimes the most difficult thing in the morning is getting started. Never go to work without a plan of action for the day.

39. YOU CAN'T DO EVERYTHING YOURSELF: The fact that you can do a job better and faster is not a legitimate reason to do it yourself. Always seek ways to free up time for more important tasks through delegation and outsourcing.

40. HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY: When interrupted by someone asking if you are busy or whether they got you at a bad time, tell the truth. Don't feel obligated to change your schedule unless it's an emergency.

Source: REACH OUT

Google is funny...

Just try Google maps for directions from Tokyo, Japan  to  Seattle, WA.
It asks one to Kayak across Pacific ocean.  Really Google?

Ten Principles for Peace of Mind

I came across this interesting list; I could not agree more with these principles.

1. Do Not Interfere In Others' Business Unless Asked.

Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in others' affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the right  direction, our direction. This thinking denies the existence of individuality and consequently the existence of God.. God has created each one of us in a unique way. No two human beings can think or act in exactly the same way. All men or women act the way they do because God within them prompts them that way. Mind your own business and you will keep your peace.

2. Forgive And Forget:

This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the person who insults us or harms us. We nurture grievances. This in turn results in loss of sleep, development of stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. This insult or injury was done once, but nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly remembering it. Get over this bad habit. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forgive,20Forget, and march on. Love flourishes in giving and forgiving.

3. Do Not Crave For Recognition:

This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody without selfish motives. They may praise you today because you are in power, but no sooner than you are powerless, they will forget your achievement and will start finding faults in you. Why do you wish to kill yourse lf in striving for their recognition? Their recognition is not worth the aggravation. Do your duties ethically and sincerely.

4. Do Not Be Jealous:

We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of mind. You know that you work harder than your colleagues in the office, but sometimes they get promotions; you do not. You started a business several years ago, but you are not as successful as your neighbor whose business is only one year old. There are several examples like these in everyday life. Should you be jealous? No. Remember everybody's life is shaped by his/her destiny, which has now become his/her reality. If you are destined to be rich, nothing in the world can stop you. If you are not so destined, no one can help you either. Nothing will be gained by blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not get you anywhere; it will only take away your peace of mind.

5. Change Yourself According To The Environment:

If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances are you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your environment. As you do this, even the environment, which has been unfriendly to you, will mysteriously change and seem congenial and harmonious.

6. Endure What Cannot Be Cured:

This is the best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Every day we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations, and accidents that are beyond our control. If we cannot control them or change them, we must learn to put up with these things. We must learn to endure them cheerfully. Believe in yourself and you will gain in terms of patience, inner strength and will power.

7. Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew:

This maxim needs to be remembered constantly. We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable of carrying out. This is done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations. . Why take on additional loads that may create more worries? You cannot gain peace of mind by expanding your external activities. Reduce your material engagements and spend time in prayer, introspection and meditation. This will reduce those thoughts in your mind that make you restless. Uncluttered mind will produce greater peace of mind.

8. Meditate Regularly:

Meditation calms the mind and gets rid of disturbing thoughts. This is the highest state of peace of mind. Try and experience it yourself. If you meditate earnestly for half an hour everyday, your mind will tend to become peaceful during the remaining twenty-three and half-hours. Your mind will not be easily disturbed as it was before. You would benefit by gradually increasing the period of daily meditation. You may think that this will interfere with your daily work. On the contrary, this will increase your efficiency and you will be able to produce better results in less time.

9. Never Leave The Mind Vacant:

An empty mind is the devil's workshop. All evil actions start in the vacant mind. Keep your mind occupied in something positive, something worthwhile. Actively follow a hobby. Do something that holds your interest. You must decide what you value more: money or peace of mind. Your hobby, like social work or religious work, may not always earn you more money, but you will have a sense of fulfillment and achievement. Even when you are resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading or mental chanting of God's name.

10. Do Not Procrastinate And Never Regret:

Do not waste time in protracted wondering " Should I or shouldn't I?" Days, weeks, months, and years may be wasted in that futile mental debating. You can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all future happenings. Value your time and do the things that need to be done. It does not matter if you fail the first time. You can learn from your mistakes and succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing. Learn from your mistakes, but do not brood over the past. DO NOT REGRET. Whatever happened was destined to happen only that way. Why cry over spilt milk?

Man O Man!

Disclaimer: Not original/source unknown. Humorous.


When without money, eats wild vegetables at home
When has money, eats same wild vegetables in fine restaurant.
 
When without money, rides bicycle;
When has money, rides the same ‘exercise machine’.
 
When without money, walks to earn food
When has money, walks to burn the fat

Man O Man !  never fails to deceive thyself !


When without money, wishes to get  settled;
When has money, wishes to get divorced.
 
When without money, wife becomes secretary;
When has money, secretary becomes wife.
 
When without money, acts like rich man;
When has money, acts like poor man.
 
Man, O Man!  never can tell the simple truth !




Man O Man ! Never means what he says and never says what he means! 

The Art of Giving

"Rivers do not drink their own water, nor do tree eat their own fruit, nor do rain clouds eat the grains reared by them. The wealth of the noble is used solely for the benefit of others!
  Even after accepting that giving is good and that one must learn to give, several questions need to be answered.


The first question is:  
When should one give?   
We all know the famous incident from Mahabharath.
 Yudhistra asks a beggar seeking alms to come the next day. On this, Bhima rejoices that Yudhistra his brother, has conquered death! For he is sure that he will be around the next day to give. Yudhistra gets the message.
 One does not know really whether one will be there tomorrow to give!
The time to give therefore is now.

The next question is: 
 'How much to give?' 
 One recalls the famous incident from history.
 Rana Pratap was reeling after defeat from the Moghals. He had lost his army, he had lost his wealth, and most important, he had lost hope, his will to fight. At that time, in his darkest hour, his erstwhile minister, Bhamasha, came seeking him and placed his entire fortune at the disposal of Rana Pratap. With this, Rana Pratap raised an army and lived to fight another day.
The answer to this question how much to give is:
"Give as much as one can!

The next question is:  
'What to give?' 
It is not only money that can be given away. It could be a flower or even a smile.
 
It is not how much one gives but how one gives that really matters. When you give a smile to a stranger that may be the only good thing received by him in days and weeks!

 "You can give anything but you must give with all your heart!"
One also needs answer to this question  whom to give?
Many times we avoid giving by finding fault with the person who is seeking. However, being judgmental and rejecting a person on the presumption that he may not be the most deserving is not justified.

“Give without being judgmental!"  

Next we have to answer:  
'How to give?' 
Coming to the manner of giving, one has to ensure that the receiver does not feel humiliated, nor the giver feels proud by giving.
 
In giving, follow the advice 'Let not your left hand know what your right hand gives? Charity without publicity and fanfare is the highest form of charity.'

'Give quietly!' 

While giving, let not the recipient feel small or humiliated. After all, what we give never really belonged to us. We come to this world with nothing and will go with nothing. The thing gifted was only with us for a temporary period. Why then take pride in giving away something which really did not belong to us?
Give with grace and with a feeling of gratitude.

"What should one feel after giving?" 
We all know the story of Eklavya. When Dronacharya asked him for his right thumb as "Guru Dakshina, he unhesitatingly cut off the thumb and gave it to Dronacharya.  
There is a little known sequel to this story.
 Eklavya was asked whether he ever regretted the act of giving away his thumb. He replied, and the reply has to be believed to be true, as it was asked to him when he was dying.
 
His reply was "Yes! I regretted this only once in my life. It was when Pandavas were coming in to kill Dronacharya who was broken hearted on the false news of death of his son, Ashwathama, and had stopped fighting. It was then that I regretted the loss of my thumb. If the thumb was there, no one could have dared hurt my Guru?

The message to us is clear.
 Give and never regret giving!    

And the last question is: 
‘How much should we provide for our heirs?' 
Ask yourself 'are we taking away from them the gift of work? - A source of happiness?
The answer is given by Warren Buffett:  
"Leave your kids enough to do anything, but not enough to do nothing!"  


Let us learn the Art of Giving,   and quoting the Saint Kabir:
"When the wealth in the house increases, when water fills a boat, throw them out with both hands!"
This is the wise thing to do! 

Me and my brother

I was browsing old photos and came across these. Lovely memories of growing up in Vellore. Wish I can reverse the time....

In those days "Safari" was in fad, so everyone got them stitched. And my mom always used to get them stitched with extra long size so that she doesn't need to buy new clothes often as we grew up...