Successes vs failures

Life is a mixture of successes and failures. We may succeed in many of our actions and fail in some. We need to take both ,in our stride. While successes make us happier, failures may leave us sad. But one needs to realise that we can learn from both our successes and failures.

In my book, failures possibly teach us more than successes. We have so many instances of sportspersons teaching us valuable lessons, on how to learn from failures.

I was recently reading about two world champions ,in the field of sports. Both of them narrated that they failed more than they succeeded ,in their sporting career. But the crucial learning is that ,their failures made them learn more and ultimately ,they evolved as world champions.

Let me narrate a few of my failures and how I learnt from them. The first incident was when I was in school. I was the elected school pupil leader and was to lead the school march past ,on our annual sports day. Our school was in an Air Force campus. The chief guest was the top commander of the Air Force station. As expected, he was punctual and dot on time ,for the ceremony.

I had come early to school in my white uniform. But, while playing on the ground, I fell down and soiled my clothes. My friends suggested that I go home and change my uniform , as they were soiled. I cycled my way back home for 5 kms and then back to school, and in that process, was late for the ceremony. The deputy school pupil leader was asked to lead the school parade.

This was the most important lesson on punctuality for me ,in my life. From then on till today, I am normally very punctual unless I default due to reasons beyond my control, which would be very rare. So, this failure of mine taught me one of the most important lesson in life ,to be punctual.

The second failure was when I finished my graduation and tried for admission ,to leading business schools in India. I cleared the entrance test of two of the best business schools for HR in India. However, I could not clear the interview ,since my general knowledge and awareness was poor. This led to me to evolve as a quiz master in the future and also work hard and lead HR in some of the best organisations in India.

I would not state that ,successes do not teach you lessons. My career progression was excellent and each step ahead taught me to be grounded and be a life long learner. Success can sometimes blind you but if you keep your feet on the ground and are willing to be humble, the chances of your doing better in life and career ,is higher.

We need to realise that life will always be a combination of successes and failures. We need to learn from both of them. My life teaches me that possibly failures teach you more important life lessons than successes. But, if we are willing ,even successes teach us lessons.

Let us learn to learn from both failure and success ,in life.

S Ramesh Shankar

19th Jan 2025

The generational shift

I was born in the so called baby boomers era. We then have had Gen X, Gen Y, Gen Z, millennials and so on. Each generation brings some unique characteristics along with them. In every phase of life, we live with multiple generations and hence we need to learn to live and thrive, in a multi-generational society.

A lot of talk is there at present ,as to how do we deal with millennials and so on. However, the reality is that many generations co-existed from time immemorial. So, it is not something new ,we are discovering today.

Every generation thought the next generation was not as good as they were. They felt the values had degenerated and the seniors were not respected, as much as in the past. Each generation tries to live in the past rather than foresee the future, which is evolving in front of them.

It is true that each generation will be different and their behaviour, norms and social ethos ,will be different. We can neither live in the past nor discard the developments in the present and the likely scenario in the future.

In my view, the behaviour and ethos of every generation is possibly determined by the environment around them. For eg. the baby boomers may have lived through multiple challenges, lived and worked for their survival ,on a day to day basis. The Gen X comparatively had a comfortable place to stay and got educated ,as per their needs.

Gen Y had more comforts from a physical sense ,as the Gen X could afford more material luxuries than the previous generation. Gen Y had more risk taking ability and hence ventured outside their comfort zones and moved across the country. Gen Z have become truly global and live more in the present than all the previous generations.

Each generation has the opportunity to learn from the other generations and build on their strengths. For eg, Gen X could learn from the sacrifices of the baby boomers. Gen Y could appreciate the comforts provided by Gen X to them. Gen Z can appreciate the risk taking abilities of Gen Y ,so as to enable them move across the globe and find their passions.

It is fashionable in organisations today to talk of multi generational workforce and how they have challenges in managing them. It is a reality that multiple generations, have been part of history in organisations ,always. May be the challenges were different and our ability to manage them ,were different.

Having said all that, it may be helpful to understand the strengths of each generation in the organisation and build on them so that the subsequent generations ,benefit from their deeds.

Yes, each generation will face a set of challenges and it is upto us to adapt to this shift and learn from the changes happening around us. We need to learn from both the generations, senior and junior to us.

Let us learn the generational shift and thrive in this change.

S Ramesh Shankar

10th Jan 2025

Life is like a party

Someone sent me a nice quote, which read that “Life is like a party” – some will come early, some later, some will enjoy while others will crib. Some will leave early while some others will leave late. Only a few will stay back after the party is over ,to clean up the place ,along with you.

So, you know, who your true friends are. Some come for maintaining their status, others come in to make their presence felt. Some consider it a formality while some others want to enjoy every moment of the party. But, when the party is over and it is time to clean up the place, very few will stay behind for that ,with you.

Life is no different. We meet all kinds of people, all along our way in life. Of course our family members join us early in this journey and generally stay back till the end. Friends may come and go as they deem fit but true friends will stay with you ,till the end of your journey.

We need to develop the ability to understand different types of people, whom we meet along the life journey. Some join us with a purpose and as soon as their purpose is fulfilled, will leave and go. Some others want to be with us ,for our wealth or comforts. They may be the first to leave if we get into any financial trouble or any other issue, which may impact their comforts.

True friends and relatives stay with you all through your thick and thin in life. The beauty of these friends is that are unconditional and never expect anything from you. They love you unconditionally and care for you always. Today I got a call from a friend of over four decades, who belongs to this category. We started our career together and treaded different routes ,to achieve our career goals. Both of us achieved what we could, in our respective careers. However, neither our position nor social status ever determined the quality of our friendship.

The quality of true relationships goes beyond money, time and status in society. We care for each other as honest human beings and enjoy each other’s company always. We do not use each other but are there for each other ,without even being sought for. A true friend may not call you or visit you for months or years but will always be around, whenever you need their support. They are just a call away, always.

So, life is indeed like a party ,we host at home. We may invite a wide variety of people. Some we enjoy, others enjoy at our expense. Some like us and others may not. But the true friends will be there with no invitation or no purpose beyond their care for you. They will be around from the beginning of the party till the end and clean up the place along with you and then leave.

We need to develop the ability to understand the different kinds of people. While we may not have a choice always to choose whom we would like to invite for the party, we can always learn to differentiate the rice from the husk. True friends are loving, caring and compassionate. They are with you during good and bad times.

Let us learn to enjoy the party of life with all kinds of people around us.

S Ramesh Shankar

10th Jan 2025